NFL Playoff Pick ’Em: How To Play & Contests to Join (2026)

The NFL playoffs are some of the most exciting weeks in sports. Every game matters, every matchup is intense, and fans everywhere are looking for ways to make each pick even more fun. That’s where an NFL playoff pick ’em comes in.

Whether you’ve filled out a pick ’em sheet, joined a playoff bracket pool, or are brand new to the concept, this guide will walk you through:

• What an NFL playoff pick ’em is
• How NFL playoff pick ’em brackets work
• Why traditional pick ’em methods are outdated
• Why Splash Sports is the best place to play
• The best NFL playoff pick ’em contests to join

What Is an NFL Playoff Pick ’Em?

An NFL playoff pick ’em is a game where you predict the winners of each NFL playoff matchup, round by round, all the way through the championship game.

Unlike regular-season pick ’ems—where you pick games weekly—playoff pick ’ems are bracket-based. Once the playoffs begin, every pick builds on the last.

How Does an NFL Playoff Pick ’Em Bracket Work?

An NFL playoff pick ’em bracket mirrors the real playoff structure.

Here’s how it typically works:

1. Start with the full playoff field
   All qualifying teams are placed into a bracket.
2. Pick winners for each matchup
   You choose which team advances in every playoff game.
3. Advance teams round by round
   Your picks move forward as if they were the real results.
4. Score points for correct picks
   Most contests award more points for later rounds, making the championship pick especially valuable.

Some contests also allow:

• Confidence-based scoring
• Bonus points
• Survivor-style rules

This is what separates a true NFL playoff pick ’em from a simple weekly pick sheet.

NFL Playoff Pick ’Em Sheets vs Online Platforms

Many fans are familiar with NFL playoff pick ’em sheets—printed brackets passed around an office, group chat, or family gathering for every round including the Wild Card and Divisional Round.

While pick ’em sheets are simple, they come with major drawbacks:

Limitations of Pick ’Em Sheets

• Manual scoring (easy to mess up)
• No real-time updates
• Hard to manage larger groups
• No built-in payouts or prizes
• Zero customization

That’s why more fans are moving to online NFL playoff pick ’em platforms that handle everything automatically.

Why Splash Sports Is Better Than Traditional Pick ’Em Contests

Not all pick ’em platforms are created equal.

Splash Sports was built specifically to make NFL playoff pick ’ems easier, more competitive, and more fun—without the headaches of spreadsheets, emails, or outdated software.

What Makes Splash Sports Different?

1. Easy-to-Use Playoff Brackets

Splash lets you fill out an NFL playoff pick ’em bracket in minutes. No printing, no scanning, no manual scoring.

2. Automated Scoring

Every pick is tracked automatically. Standings update in real time as games finish.

3. Public & Private Contests

You can:

• Join public NFL playoff pick ’em contests including for the Wild Card and Divisional Round
• Create private pools for friends, coworkers, or family

4. Fair, Transparent Rules

No confusing tiebreakers or unclear scoring systems. Everything is clear before the first kickoff.

5. Designed for Playoffs (Not Just Weekly Picks)

Many platforms focus on regular-season pick ’ems and treat playoffs as an afterthought. Splash is built to handle playoff brackets properly, from start to finish.

Best NFL Playoff Pick ’Em Contests on Splash Sports

If you’re ready to play, here are the most popular NFL playoff pick ’em contest types on Splash Sports.

Sloprules $10K NFL Playoff Pick’em ATS – A $10 entry contest featuring $10,008 in guaranteed contest prizes. Players make ATS selections for every game during Wild Card Weekend, Divisional Round, and beyond, earning one point per correct pick, with a “Best Pick” worth double points in the Wild Card and Divisional rounds. The top 100 finishers earn payouts, with $1,271.17 awarded to first place. Multi-entry is allowed (up to 33), making this a strong option for volume-based playoff strategies.

John Cerasani’s $5K NFL Playoff Pick’em ATS – A high-stakes playoff contest with a $100 entry and $5,040 in guaranteed prizes. Entrants pick all games against the spread each round, with double points available for a Best Pick during Wild Card Weekend and the Divisional Round. The top five finishers earn payouts, including $2,772 for first place. Limited field size and multi-entry (up to 3) make this contest ideal for confident, skill-driven players.

Splash $2.5K NFL Playoff Pick’em ATS – A $5 entry playoff Pick’em contest with $2,502 in guaranteed prizes. Players make ATS selections across the full playoff slate, including Wild Card Weekend and the Divisional Round, earning one point per correct pick and double points for a Best Pick in early rounds. The top 50 finishers get paid, making this a fun, accessible option for players looking to test their NFL playoff knowledge and skill throughout the postseason.

FAQ: NFL Playoff Pick ’Em

How do you do a bracket for an NFL playoff pick ’em?

You start with the full playoff field, pick the winner of each matchup, and advance those teams through each round until the championship. Points are awarded for correct picks, usually with higher values in later rounds.

What’s the difference between NFL playoff pick ’em and regular pick ’em?

Regular pick ’ems reset weekly during the season. NFL playoff pick ’ems use a single bracket that lasts the entire postseason.

Are NFL playoff pick ’em sheets still worth using?

They work for very small groups, but online platforms like Splash Sports are faster, more accurate, and far easier to manage—especially for competitive or paid contests.

Can I run a private NFL playoff pick ’em?

Yes. Splash Sports allows you to create private playoff pick ’em contests and invite friends, family, or coworkers.

Get Ready for the NFL Playoffs

An NFL playoff pick ’em turns every postseason game into a high-stakes decision. Whether you’re chasing bragging rights or just want to make the playoffs more exciting, choosing the right platform matters.

If you want:

• A clean playoff bracket experience
• Automatic scoring
• Better contests
• Less hassle

Splash Sports is the best way to play NFL playoff pick ’em.

Get your bracket ready—and make every playoff pick count.