The NFL playoff picture is taking shape, and fans are eagerly anticipating the postseason matchups. As teams vie for a chance at Super Bowl glory, let's break down the current playoff brackets, schedules, and the clinching scenarios for both the AFC and NFC.
AFC Playoff Bracket:
Baltimore Ravens (bye)
Winner between Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills; will host the No. 7 seed.
Kansas City Chiefs; will host the No. 6 seed.
AFC South champion (Jacksonville Jaguars or Houston Texans-Indianapolis Colts winner), will host the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland Browns
Could be Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, or Pittsburgh Steelers; will play at Kansas City.
Could be Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, or Pittsburgh Steelers; will play at the No. 2 seed.
NFC Playoff Bracket:
San Francisco 49ers (bye)
Could be Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, or Detroit Lions; will host the No. 7 seed.
Could be Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, or Detroit Lions; will host the No. 6 seed.
NFC South champion (Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints-Atlanta Falcons winner); will host the No. 5 seed.
Could be Dallas Cowboys or Philadelphia Eagles; will play at NFC South champion.
Could be Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, or Tampa Bay Buccaneers; will play at the No. 3 seed.
Could be Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or Minnesota Vikings; will play at the No. 2 seed.
Playoff Schedule:
Wild Card Round:
Saturday, January 13, 2024
4:30 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
8:15 p.m. (Peacock)
Sunday, January 14, 2024
1 p.m. (Fox or CBS)
4:30 p.m. (Fox or CBS)
8:15 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
Monday, January 15, 2024
8:15 p.m. (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2)
Divisional Round:
Saturday, January 20, 2024
AFC Divisional matchup
NFC Divisional matchup
Sunday, January 21, 2024
AFC Divisional matchup
NFC Divisional matchup
Conference Championships:
Sunday, January 28, 2024
AFC Championship Game - 3 p.m. (CBS)
NFC Championship Game - 6:30 p.m. (FOX)
Super Bowl LVIII:
Sunday, February 11, 2024 - 6:30 p.m. (CBS)
Week 18 Clinching Scenarios:
Here are the official NFL playoff scenarios distributed by the league office for both the AFC and NFC.
AFC Clinched:
Baltimore Ravens (13-3) – AFC North division title, No. 1 seed, lone first-round bye, and homefield advantage
Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) – AFC West division title
Cleveland Browns (11-5) – playoff berth
Miami Dolphins (11-5) – playoff berth
For detailed clinching scenarios for AFC teams, refer to the official NFL provided scenarios.
NFC Clinched:
San Francisco 49ers (12-4) – NFC West division title, No. 1 seed, lone first-round bye, and homefield advantage
Detroit Lions (11-5) – NFC North division title
Dallas Cowboys (11-5) – playoff berth
Los Angeles Rams (9-7) – playoff berth
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) – playoff berth
For detailed clinching scenarios for NFC teams, refer to the official NFL provided scenarios.
As the regular season concludes, fans can look forward to a thrilling postseason with high-stakes matchups and the quest for Super Bowl glory.