UEFA’s sizable representation at the 2026 World Cup means they’ll stage their own playoffs, as they did in 2022, while those who scraped out of their respective qualifying processes around the rest of the world will be involved in FIFA’s inter-confederation playoffs.

Italy will face Northern Ireland in the European playoffs in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup while Sweden meet Ukraine as 16 teams learned the pathways that determine the four remaining European slots for the global tournament.

With Brock Purdy back in the lineup, the computer seems to be a big fan of the 49ers (7-4). San Francisco is being given a 80.4% chance of making the postseason, which means the computer is pretty confident that the NFC West is going to be sending three teams into the playoffs.

Pro Football Focus lists the Bears as one of the teams with the most at stake when it comes to their playoff chances this weekend. With a win, they will have a 69% of punching their ticket to the Big Game. Meanwhile, a loss would put them at 40%.

The Texans suddenly have a real shot at clinching an AFC wild-card berth, improving to 6-5 after Thursday's Week 12 defeat of the visiting Bills.