by The 2025-26 NFL regular season has officially concluded, and while the “true fans” are busy breaking down tape and analyzing point differentials, a different breed of enthusiast is preparing for the postseason. We are talking about the haters. With juggernauts like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens finally watching from their couches, the field is ripe for new villains to emerge. The Haters Guide to the 2026 NFL Playoffs is your essential roadmap to navigating the bracket with maximum saltiness, ensuring you know exactly which fanbases deserve to have their hearts broken this January.
Wild Card Weekend: The “Lesser of Two Evils” Round
The opening round of the tournament features matchups that are a hater’s dream—or nightmare, depending on how much you despise specific legacies. Take the New England Patriots, for example; even with a new regime and Drake Maye under center, the sight of a 14-3 Patriots team hosting a playoff game feels like a glitch in the Matrix that we all hoped was patched years ago. The Haters Guide to the 2026 NFL Playoffs suggests that rooting for the Los Angeles Chargers is the only moral choice here, simply to prevent a “Patriots Dynasty 2.0” narrative from gaining any more steam before it even begins.
Over in the NFC, we have the ultimate grudge match: Green Bay at Chicago. The Bears have spent decades in the shadow of the Packers, but after Caleb Williams led them to a 31-27 Wild Card victory yesterday, the dynamic has shifted. If you’re a hater of “destiny” storylines, Chicago is your primary target. They are acting like the “Double Doink” curse has been lifted by divine intervention, and nothing fuels The Haters Guide to the 2026 NFL Playoffs like a fanbase that becomes insufferable after a single postseason win.
The Divisional Round: Avoiding the “Paper Tiger” Trap
As we move into the Divisional Round, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks enter the fray after their first-round byes. Denver has ridden a historic defense to the No. 1 seed, but haters will quickly point out their lack of a consistent run game with J.K. Dobbins sidelined. According to The Haters Guide to the 2026 NFL Playoffs, the Broncos are the perfect “high-seed fraud” candidate. Watching Sean Payton’s smug grin disappear after a home loss to a surging Houston Texans team would be the highlight of the season for anyone who finds Denver’s resurgence a bit too convenient.
In the NFC, the Seahawks are sitting pretty at the top, but their “12th Man” energy can be a lot to handle for those outside the Pacific Northwest. Seattle has a habit of winning ugly, and The Haters Guide to the 2026 NFL Playoffs recommends pulling for the Los Angeles Rams to knock them off. Yes, the Rams are division rivals, but watching Matthew Stafford—a veteran who already has his ring—systematically dismantle a No. 1 seed is far more satisfying than letting a young Seahawks roster think they’ve already conquered the league.
The Championship Round: The Search for the Ultimate Villain
By the time the Conference Championships arrive, the “lovable underdog” stories usually start to sour. Whether it’s the Philadelphia Eagles trying to prove they aren’t “frauds” or the Buffalo Bills attempting to finally shake the “Wide Right” ghosts of the past, someone is going to be the villain. The Haters Guide to the 2026 NFL Playoffs posits that the Bills are actually the hardest team to hate this year, which makes them the perfect team to root against if you want to cause maximum emotional damage. There is no greater “hater” move than watching Josh Allen lose another AFC Championship game just as the world starts to believe it’s finally his year.
Hater’s Cheat Sheet: Team vs. Reason to Hate
| Team | Hater Status | Primary Reason to Root Against |
| New England Patriots | Level: Extreme | We lived through 20 years of this; we don’t need another 20. |
| Chicago Bears | Level: High | Caleb Williams’ painted nails and “Chosen One” energy. |
| Denver Broncos | Level: Moderate | Sean Payton’s ego is already at maximum capacity. |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Level: High | The most vocal and “passionate” (annoying) fans in sports. |
| LA Rams | Level: Low | They bought their way to a ring once; they’ll try it again. |
Super Bowl LX: The Hater’s Nightmare
The ultimate goal of The Haters Guide to the 2026 NFL Playoffs is to prepare you for the worst-case scenario: a Super Bowl matchup between two teams you absolutely cannot stand. Imagine a world where the Patriots face the Eagles in Santa Clara. It would be a battle of “The Empire” versus “The Most Toxic Fanbase,” leaving neutral observers with no one to cheer for but the halftime show. In such an event, the only winning move is to root for a power outage or a tie that never ends.
As the postseason progresses, remember that being a hater isn’t about being miserable—it’s about finding joy in the failures of others. Whether it’s a missed field goal, a questionable coaching decision, or a “generational talent” throwing a red-zone interception, there is plenty of entertainment to be found. Keep your remote close and your petty comments closer as we follow The Haters Guide to the 2026 NFL Playoffs all the way to February.
Would you like me to draft a specific “Hater’s Preview” for the upcoming Texans vs. Steelers Monday night clash?
