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• Why traditional pick ’em methods are outdated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.

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
• 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.

Gardz Playoff Pick ’Em - A high-stakes NFL playoff pick ’em bracket contest built for competitive players who want larger prize pools and a limited field. Ideal for fans confident in their NFL playoff picks and looking for a premium contest experience.

NFL Playoff Pick ’Ems (WorstBets) - A low-entry NFL playoff pick ’em contest that delivers the full playoff bracket experience without a high buy-in. Perfect for casual players or anyone looking to join a fun, public NFL playoffs pick ’em bracket.

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.