NFL Playoffs 2025: A Comprehensive Guide to Wild Card Weekend

The sprint to Super Bowl 59 starts now, with 14 teams vying for the ultimate prize. Twelve of these teams will have to win four games to achieve their ultimate goal, and their journey begins with the electrifying Wild Card Weekend. Stars like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson will fight to keep their postseason dreams alive just a week after the regular season concludes. Even 14-win teams in the NFC face the risk of early elimination if they falter in the Wild Card round.

Only two teams—the Kansas City Chiefs and the winner of the Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions game—have earned the luxury of a first-round bye, patiently awaiting their divisional-round opponents.

AFC Playoff Bracket and Matchups

Kansas City Chiefs (1, first-round bye): The Chiefs, aiming for a third consecutive Super Bowl victory, secured the top seed in the AFC. They'll enjoy a well-deserved bye week, basking in the glory of their regular season dominance.
Buffalo Bills (2) vs. Denver Broncos (7): The Bills, seeking to overcome their playoff struggles, will face a Denver Broncos team making its first postseason appearance since their 2015 Super Bowl run. Buffalo rested starters in the regular season finale after securing the second seed, but the Broncos will bring a potent pass rush. This matchup is set for a chilly encounter in Buffalo.
Baltimore Ravens (3) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (6): This AFC North rivalry takes center stage. Baltimore, riding a four-game winning streak after an 0-2 start, faces a Pittsburgh team struggling with a four-game losing streak. Momentum seems to favor the Ravens, but the Steelers will fight tooth and nail to pull off an upset. A key factor will be how the Ravens defense handles Lamar Jackson.
Houston Texans (4) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (5): The Chargers, after securing the fifth seed in a crucial Week 18 victory, will meet the Houston Texans, who ended the season on a bit of a slide. The Texans are hoping a Week 18 win over the Titans creates some much-needed playoff momentum at home, but they will have a formidable opponent in Justin Herbert and a resurgent Chargers defense.

NFC Playoff Bracket and Matchups

Detroit Lions/Minnesota Vikings (1, first-round bye): The winner of the Lions-Vikings showdown will clinch the top seed and a bye. The stakes couldn't be higher for this high-profile matchup.
Philadelphia Eagles (2) vs. Green Bay Packers (7): This Wild Card round features a rematch from Week 1. The Eagles, despite their 14-win regular season, will have to defend home turf against a Packers team that is dangerous in upset scenarios, having pulled off a stunning road victory over the Cowboys last year. This game highlights the intensity of a divisional rivalry. The Eagles will likely be eager to avoid a repeat of last season's collapse.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3) vs. Washington Commanders (6): The Buccaneers, having secured the third seed, welcome a Washington team led by the impressive rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels. The Buccaneers took an earlier victory, but Daniels’ improvement adds significant intrigue.
Los Angeles Rams (4) vs. Lions/Vikings (5): The Rams, after their regular season finale loss, await the loser of the Lions-Vikings game. This matchup could feature some of the most exciting teams in the NFC.

Wild Card Weekend Schedule

The schedule for Wild Card Weekend offers a thrilling mix of matchups, with games spread across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The specific times and broadcast details were announced during the Lions-Vikings game.

Saturday, January 11:
- No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4 Houston Texans (CBS)
- No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens (Amazon Prime Video)
Sunday, January 12:
- No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills (CBS)
- No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (FOX)
- No. 6 Washington Commanders at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NBC)
Monday, January 13:
- No. 5 (Lions or Vikings) at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (ESPN)

The Road to the Super Bowl: A Look Ahead

The 2025 NFL Playoffs promise to be full of surprises and nail-biting finishes. With so many competitive teams and compelling matchups, the race for the Super Bowl is wide open. Several teams, including some unexpected contenders, have the potential to make a deep playoff run. The NFL playoffs are indeed an exciting time for fans and players alike. The games will feature the intensity of playoff football and provide a thrilling start to this postseason.

This is only the beginning of a potentially historic postseason. The anticipation and excitement will continue to build as the games unfold and teams make their final push towards the Super Bowl. Keep an eye out for more updates.

The outcome of these matchups and the overall success of each team will depend on various factors like injuries, coaching strategies, and overall team performance on the field. It's going to be a wild ride to watch. These games will test the mettle of the contenders. We expect to see amazing plays, strategic decisions, and a high level of competition.