Rankings Released for 16 Possible Super Bowl LX Matchups as NFL Postseason Narrows
With the NFL Wild Card weekend concluded and the Divisional Round set, the field of contenders for Super Bowl LX has been whittled down to eight teams. This contraction results in 16 mathematically possible matchups for the league’s championship game, scheduled to take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026. Analysts have begun ranking these potential pairings, weighing factors such as quarterback pedigree, historical rivalries, and offensive volatility.
Deep Dive on the Playoff Landscape
The 2025-2026 NFL season has been defined by a resurgence in offensive diversity, with mobile quarterbacks and motion-heavy schemes dominating the standings. The rankings for potential Super Bowl scenarios heavily favor matchups featuring established superstars. High on the list of desirable outcomes are games involving the Kansas City Chiefs, who continue to pursue dynasty status, and NFC powerhouses like the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions.
Metrics used to evaluate these potential games go beyond simple win-loss records. Factors include:
- Quarterback Matchups: Networks and advertisers prioritize games featuring past MVPs or rising stars with high “Q-Ratings.”
- Market Size: Matchups involving teams from major media markets (New York, Philadelphia, Dallas) or national brands (Green Bay, Pittsburgh) generally receive higher tier placement due to viewership floors.
- Narrative Arcs: Rematches of previous Super Bowls or games featuring coaches facing their former teams are weighted heavily in entertainment rankings.
Background Context
Super Bowl LX marks a significant milestone as the 60th anniversary of the big game. Hosting the game in the San Francisco Bay Area adds a layer of logistical complexity and glamour, influencing the narrative around the “West Coast” teams remaining in the bracket. Historically, the transition from the Divisional Round to the Conference Championships is where the “dream scenarios” are often solidified or shattered.
In the 2025 regular season, the league saw a slight dip in defensive efficiency in the red zone, leading to higher average scores compared to the 2024 season. Consequently, the “best” projected matchups are largely viewed through the lens of offensive shootouts rather than defensive struggles.
Counterpoints and Analytical Challenges
While the rankings prioritize high-scoring affairs and star quarterbacks, football purists and defensive statisticians offer valid objections to these projections. The “best” game on paper often fails to materialize on the field. Several factors challenge the accuracy of excitement rankings:
- Defensive Variance: Highly ranked offensive matchups often devolve into defensive stalemates in high-pressure environments. Super Bowl history is replete with projected “shootouts” that ended with scores well below the Vegas over/under.
- Injury Attrition: Rankings released in mid-January cannot account for injuries sustained during the Divisional or Conference Championship rounds. The loss of a key offensive lineman or pass rusher can fundamentally alter the watchability and competitiveness of a matchup.
- The Fatigue Factor: Teams making deep playoff runs often face significant physical fatigue. A matchup ranked number one for its speed and athleticism may look sluggish by February due to the extended 18-game regular season structure currently in place.
Current Outlook
As the league prepares for the Divisional Round, the 16 potential combinations represent a wide variance in stylistic clashes. While the media focus remains on quarterback duels, the eventual champion will likely be decided by turnover differentials and red-zone efficiency—metrics that are notoriously difficult to rank in terms of entertainment value. The coming weeks will reduce these 16 scenarios to a single reality.
