The NFL Playoffs are upon us, marking the exciting culmination of the 2024-2025 season. With 14 teams vying for the ultimate prize, the journey to Super Bowl LVIII is set to be thrilling. Here’s everything you need to know about the NFL playoff bracket, schedule, Super Bowl odds, and key statistics.
NFL Playoff Bracket
The NFL Playoffs follow a single-elimination format, starting with the Wild Card round and concluding at the Super Bowl. A total of 14 teams make it into the postseason: 7 from the AFC and 7 from the NFC. The top team from each conference gets a bye in the first round, while the other six teams compete in Wild Card matchups. Here’s a breakdown of the playoff bracket:
AFC:
- Kansas City Chiefs (1st seed)
- Buffalo Bills (2nd seed)
- Baltimore Ravens (3rd seed)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (4th seed)
- Cincinnati Bengals (5th seed)
- Miami Dolphins (6th seed)
- Los Angeles Chargers (7th seed)
NFC:
- Philadelphia Eagles (1st seed)
- San Francisco 49ers (2nd seed)
- Detroit Lions (3rd seed)
- Minnesota Vikings (4th seed)
- Dallas Cowboys (5th seed)
- New York Giants (6th seed)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7th seed)
NFL Playoff Schedule
The NFL Playoff schedule begins with the Wild Card round and moves to the Divisional round, followed by the Conference Championships, and finally, Super Bowl LVIII.
Wild Card Weekend (January 13-15, 2025)
- Saturday, January 13
- 4:30 PM ET – AFC: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
- 8:15 PM ET – NFC: Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Sunday, January 14
- 1:00 PM ET – AFC: Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars
- 4:30 PM ET – NFC: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers
- 8:15 PM ET – AFC: Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens
- Monday, January 15
- 8:15 PM ET – NFC: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Divisional Round (January 20-21, 2025)
The winners of the Wild Card games will move to the Divisional Round. The exact matchups will depend on the results of the Wild Card games.
Conference Championship Games (January 28, 2025)
- AFC Championship
- NFC Championship
Super Bowl LVIII (February 11, 2025)
- Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
Super Bowl LVIII Odds
As the playoff race heats up, the odds of teams winning Super Bowl LVIII fluctuate based on performance, injuries, and overall momentum. Here’s a look at the odds for the top contenders based on current performance:
- Kansas City Chiefs – 3/1
- Patrick Mahomes leads the Chiefs, who are perennial Super Bowl contenders. With a solid offense and the leadership of head coach Andy Reid, they are the favorites for many.
- San Francisco 49ers – 5/1
- The 49ers have one of the best defenses in the NFL and an offense that can dominate. With their depth at every position, they are poised to make a serious run.
- Philadelphia Eagles – 7/1
- The Eagles’ balanced offense, led by Jalen Hurts, and their elite defense put them in a strong position to challenge for the title.
- Buffalo Bills – 9/1
- Josh Allen continues to impress, and despite some struggles, the Bills remain a major contender, particularly if they can stay healthy and perform in critical moments.
- Cincinnati Bengals – 10/1
- Joe Burrow’s ability to perform in clutch moments makes the Bengals a dangerous team. Their solid playoff run from last year gives them extra confidence going into this year.
- Dallas Cowboys – 12/1
- With the combination of Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and their powerful defense, the Cowboys have the potential to make a deep playoff run.
- Baltimore Ravens – 14/1
- Lamar Jackson has been playing at an MVP level and has been supported by a great defense. They have the potential to make a lot of noise in the postseason.
- Minnesota Vikings – 20/1
- The Vikings’ offense, led by Justin Jefferson, has been explosive this season, but they will need to address some consistency issues if they want to go deep.
Key Playoff Stats to Watch
Several statistical categories will help define the most successful teams as they move through the playoffs. Here are a few to keep an eye on:
Passing Offense
- Patrick Mahomes (KC): Mahomes has consistently been among the league leaders in passing yards and touchdowns, and his ability to make spectacular plays under pressure makes him a key asset for Kansas City.
- Josh Allen (BUF): Allen has the arm strength and athleticism to make any throw on the field, and his ability to run the football adds a dual-threat dynamic to Buffalo’s offense.
Rushing Offense
- Saquon Barkley (NYG): Barkley is one of the most dynamic running backs in the league. He can change the course of a game with one big play and will be key to the Giants’ playoff hopes.
- Christian McCaffrey (SF): McCaffrey’s versatility as both a runner and a receiver gives the 49ers offense another dimension, making him a focal point in any playoff game.
Defensive Stats
- Micah Parsons (DAL): Parsons is a force on the Cowboys defense and can disrupt the best offenses in the league with his pass-rushing skills. His ability to get to the quarterback will be crucial in the postseason.
- Nick Bosa (SF): Bosa leads one of the most feared defenses in the NFL. His ability to change the course of a game with a sack or pressure on the quarterback is invaluable.
Turnover Differential
- The margin by which a team wins or loses the turnover battle can make or break a playoff run. Teams that are able to take care of the ball and force turnovers will have a significant advantage in the postseason.
Third-Down Efficiency
- Converting third downs is vital to maintaining drives and keeping opposing offenses off the field. Teams with effective third-down conversions typically perform well in the playoffs.
Key Injuries to Watch
Injuries can often determine the fate of playoff teams, so keeping an eye on key players who are banged up will be critical. As of now, here are some of the notable injuries to track:
- Jalen Hurts (PHI): Hurts has had some minor injury issues this season, but if he’s fully healthy, the Eagles’ offense is among the most potent in the league.
- Tyreek Hill (MIA): Hill’s speed is a game-changer for the Dolphins, and any setback for him would be a significant blow to Miami’s playoff aspirations.
- Deebo Samuel (SF): Samuel is crucial to the 49ers’ success, so his health could be a make-or-break factor for San Francisco.
