After 272 games, the NFL regular season has concluded, and the road to the Super Bowl is officially underway with the arrival of playoff football.
The original 32 teams with championship aspirations have been whittled down to the final 14 contenders. Over the next three weeks, these teams will battle through 12 intense games to determine who will compete for the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans this February.
This is football at its peak. Players give it their all on the field, and coaches dig deep into their playbooks, searching for that one game-changing play that could make all the difference.
For the first time in 12 years, every playoff team has secured at least 10 wins this season, ensuring a high level of competition. In a “win or go home” scenario, this often sets the stage for unforgettable showdowns. Don’t forget to check out the VA Lottery promo code for even more excitement during this playoff season!
Here, we’ll dive into the teams, break down the playoff structure, and explore the key storylines that will shape the path to Super Bowl 59.
The Detroit Lions secured the NFC’s top seed with a dominant win over the Minnesota Vikings in their season finale, earning a first-round bye alongside the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC.
Division winners automatically claim the top four seeds, but this format sparks debate. Teams like the Vikings, Washington Commanders, and Green Bay Packers, boasting better records than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams, are still forced to hit the road in the opening round.
AFC Seedings (Season Record):
1. Chiefs (15-2) 2. Bills (13-4) 3. Ravens (12-5) 4. Texans (10-7) 5. Chargers (11-6) 6. Steelers (10-7) 7. Broncos (10-7)
NFC seedings
1. Lions (15-2) 2. Eagles (14-3) 3. Buccaneers (10-7) 4. Rams (10-7) 5. Vikings (14-3) 6. Commanders (12-5) 7. Packers (11-6)
How Do the Playoffs Work?
The Chiefs and Lions, as the top seeds in their respective conferences, skip Wildcard Weekend and enjoy home-field advantage for as long as they stay in the playoffs.
In the Divisional Round, they will host the lowest-seeded teams still in contention. Meanwhile, the next-highest seed will host the fourth and final team in the other matchup.
This format continues into the Conference Championships—essentially the Super Bowl semifinals—where the highest remaining seed in each conference hosts the game.
NFL play-offs bracket & schedule
**Saturday, January 11**
– **AFC:** Los Angeles Chargers (5) at Houston Texans (4), 21:30 GMT
– **AFC:** Pittsburgh Steelers (6) at Baltimore Ravens (3), 01:00 GMT (Sunday morning)
**Sunday, January 12**
– **AFC:** Denver Broncos (7) at Buffalo Bills (2), 18:00 GMT
– **NFC:** Green Bay Packers (7) at Philadelphia Eagles (2), 21:30 GMT
– **NFC:** Washington Commanders (6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3), 01:00 GMT (Monday morning)
**Monday, January 13**
– **NFC:** Minnesota Vikings (5) at Los Angeles Rams (4), 01:00 GMT (Tuesday morning)
Wildcard Weekend
**Chargers @ Texans**
Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers enter as one of two road favorites, boasting six away wins this season. Quarterback Justin Herbert is having the most efficient season of his career, and the Chargers’ defense has been stellar, allowing just 17.7 points per game—the best in the NFL.
Meanwhile, CJ Stroud’s Texans have struggled offensively, scoring more than 23 points only twice in their last 11 games. With a 1-5 record against playoff teams and top-10 scoring defenses, the Texans will rely heavily on their second-ranked playoff pass rush to keep them competitive.
**Steelers @ Ravens**
A classic rivalry renewed as the Steelers and Ravens meet for the third time this season. Pittsburgh had dominated this matchup, winning eight of the previous nine meetings before being soundly beaten in their last clash.
Mike Tomlin had previously seemed to have Lamar Jackson’s number, but Pittsburgh stumbled late in the season. The Ravens, missing injured wide receiver Zay Flowers, will look to Jackson and Derrick Henry to carry them offensively in what promises to be a bruising encounter.
**Broncos @ Bills**
Sean Payton has revitalized the Broncos, turning their defense into a dominant force while rookie quarterback Bo Nix has steadily improved, guiding Denver to their first playoff appearance since winning Super Bowl 50.
However, Josh Allen and the Bills present a daunting challenge. Buffalo was undefeated at home during the regular season, ranked second in scoring, and avoided the turnovers and sacks that plagued them in past years. In fact, they are the only team in Super Bowl history to allow fewer than one sack and one turnover per game on average—an incredible feat.
**Packers @ Eagles**
These teams opened the season with a historic game in Brazil, where the Eagles triumphed. Now, Philadelphia looks poised to repeat that success at home with arguably the most talented roster in the league and a defense that’s playing at an elite level.
The big storyline centers on the quarterbacks. Jalen Hurts is recovering from a concussion, while Jordan Love is dealing with an elbow injury, which means running backs Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs are likely to shoulder the offensive load. With a combined 25 wins, this matchup features the most victories ever in a Wildcard game.
**Commanders @ Buccaneers**
A rematch from Week 1, where Tampa Bay emerged victorious, this game pits the well-rounded Buccaneers, led by the dynamic Baker Mayfield, against a Washington team electrified by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels has shown flashes of brilliance, including some stunning late-game heroics.
Both teams averaged over 28 points per game—an unusual feat for a Wildcard clash—and feature explosive playmakers at receiver. With two fearless quarterbacks at the helm, this game has all the makings of a high-scoring thriller with plenty of late drama.
**Vikings @ Rams**
Despite winning 14 games, the Vikings find themselves in the Wildcard round due to sharing a division with the dominant Lions. Recovering mentally from last week’s defeat to Detroit will be critical as they face the Rams.
Los Angeles, who defeated Minnesota in Week 8, enters well-rested after head coach Sean McVay rested key starters in their final regular-season game. Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, a proven Super Bowl champion, will lead a prepared and sharp Rams squad—though the game may be relocated to Arizona due to wildfires in Los Angeles.
When is the Super Bowl?
All roads lead to Super Bowl 59, set to take place on February 9 at the iconic Superdome in New Orleans, home of the Saints, with kickoff scheduled for 23:30 GMT.
This will mark a record seventh Super Bowl hosted at the Superdome and tie New Orleans for the most Super Bowl events held by any city, with an impressive total of 11.
