NFL Playoff Picture Unveiled: Schedule, Matchups, and Wild Card Scenarios for AFC and NFC Teams

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.

Steelers Quarterback Kenny Pickett Disputes Rumors, Clarifies Inactivity Decision

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett refuted online speculation that he voluntarily chose not to play against the Seattle Seahawks in their recent 30-20 victory. Pickett, who underwent right ankle surgery a month ago, clarified that the coaching staff deemed him not ready to play, leading to his inactive status for the game.

Addressing the rumors, Pickett stated on Tuesday, "There was no talk of me being a backup quarterback this week in terms of being a two. If I was healthy enough to play and the trainers and coaches felt like I looked good enough to play, I was going to start and play. If they believed that I was not, which they believed I was not, [I] was not going to dress and suit up for the game."

Contrary to speculation, Coach Mike Tomlin mentioned on Monday that Pickett had received medical clearance to play but was made inactive due to his limited practice repetitions. Pickett, listed as "questionable" leading up to the game, watched from the sideline as Mason Rudolph led the offense to accumulate 468 yards.

Looking ahead to the upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens, Tomlin has decided to stick with Rudolph, as the Steelers aim to keep their playoff hopes alive. Pickett is expected to serve as the backup. Despite his competitive spirit, Pickett acknowledged Rudolph's commendable performances in recent victories and understands his role as the backup.

Pickett expressed respect for Rudolph, stating, "Mason played well when he got in there. I have a ton of respect for Mason [with] everything he’s done and what our team has been doing. So now my job that I’m back healthy is to be the backup. If something happens, if he goes down, be ready to go and continue to support him the way I’ve been."

When asked about the long-term implications of Rudolph's play on his own position, Pickett emphasized taking things day by day and week by week. Currently under contract for at least two more seasons, Pickett acknowledged that decisions about the future would be addressed when the time comes, emphasizing his positive relationships with both Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky.

Bold Sports Predictions for 2024: Cleveland in the Super Bowl, Gabby Douglas Strikes Gold, and More

Cleveland Browns in the Super Bowl Led by Joe Flacco:

In a surprising turn of events, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco has led the Cleveland Browns to their second playoff berth in 21 years. With Flacco's stellar performance and the team's victories over formidable opponents, including Baltimore and San Francisco, the Browns are now serious contenders for the Super Bowl.

Gabby Douglas Clinches Olympic Gold Again:

Amidst Simone Biles' remarkable comeback, another gymnastics legend, Gabby Douglas, is set to make her mark in 2024. Having announced her return after an eight-year hiatus, Douglas, the 2012 Olympic all-around champion, aims to secure Olympic gold once more alongside Biles, showcasing her champion spirit and experience.

Saudi Arabia Enters the NFL Business:

The trend of sovereign wealth funds investing in sports takes a new turn as Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund eyes entry into the NFL. With significant investments in European soccer, boxing, and golf, the move to acquire a stake in a major US pro sports league, particularly the NFL, signals a shift in the landscape of sports ownership.

MLB Team Threatens to Move Cities:

Following the Oakland A's move to Las Vegas, other MLB teams are expected to follow suit. Stadium lease expirations and negotiations for public funding will intensify, with teams like the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers exploring options to secure more favorable deals. The potential relocation of MLB teams becomes a prominent storyline in 2024.

Dallas Cowboys Hire Bill Belichick:

As the New England Patriots face challenges, legendary coach Bill Belichick finds a new home with the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones, known for splashy hires, turns to Belichick to lead the team. With a proven quarterback and a talented roster, Belichick aims to secure success in Dallas and pursue becoming the league's all-time winningest coach.

Hikaru Nakamura Wins World Chess Championship:

Chess grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura emerges as a strong contender in the world of chess, ranked third globally. His participation in the candidates tournament sets the stage for a historic victory in the world championship match. Nakamura's triumph will make him the second American world chess champion, following in the footsteps of Bobby Fischer.

NBA Sees Another First-Time Champion:

In a league historically dominated by established teams, the NBA witnesses a new champion in 2024. Teams like Oklahoma City, Minnesota, and the LA Clippers are strong contenders, challenging the traditional powerhouses. The emergence of a first-time champion adds an element of unpredictability to the NBA finals, showcasing the evolving landscape of the league.

Michigan and Washington Secure Spots in College Football Playoff Title Game

In an exhilarating Rose Bowl showdown, the Michigan Wolverines emerged victorious over the Alabama Crimson Tide in overtime, securing their place in the College Football Playoff (CFP) championship game. The Wolverines, led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, displayed resilience and determination, overcoming past playoff losses and a turbulent season to advance to their first CFP title game since 1997.

Michigan's running back, Blake Corum, played a crucial role, rushing for a 17-yard touchdown on the second snap of overtime. The Wolverines' triumph was sealed as their defense held firm against Alabama's quarterback, Jalen Milroe, who was stopped just two yards short of the end zone on the final play. The victory sets up a championship clash against Washington on January 8.

Harbaugh expressed his satisfaction with the hard-fought victory, emphasizing the team's unity and resilience throughout the challenging season. The Wolverines' remarkable turnaround, marked by three consecutive conference titles and a spot in three Playoffs since 2021, signals a significant achievement for Harbaugh's vision for the program.

In the Sugar Bowl, Washington secured their place in the CFP championship game by defeating Texas 37-31. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., in his first season with Washington after transferring from Indiana, showcased his talent, passing for 430 yards and two touchdowns. Washington will face Michigan in the championship game, offering an exciting Pac-12 vs. Big Ten matchup.

The Wolverines and the Huskies are set to compete for the national title in Houston, with both teams eager to claim the ultimate prize. The stage is set for a thrilling culmination of the college football season, with Michigan aiming to secure its first national championship in decades, while Washington seeks to bring the Pac-12 back into the championship spotlight.

Eagles' Downfall: A Playcalling Quagmire and Defensive Woes

With 2 minutes and 40 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the once 11-4 Philadelphia Eagles found themselves tied at 31 with the struggling 3-12 Arizona Cardinals. A series of questionable play calls left the Eagles settling for a field goal, allowing the Cardinals to march down the field and secure a 35-31 victory. This defeat marked the Eagles' fourth loss in five games after a promising 10-1 start.

The Eagles' head coach, Nick Sirianni, defended the play calls, but many criticized the conservative approach against a seemingly overmatched Cardinals team. The Cardinals' head coach, Jonathan Gannon, formerly the Eagles' defensive coordinator during their last Super Bowl run, devised a winning game plan that exposed the Eagles' defensive vulnerabilities.

Philadelphia's defense, once a formidable unit, failed to stop the Cardinals, who didn't punt once and scored four consecutive touchdowns. The run defense struggled against James Conner, who ran for 128 yards, and the pass rush was nearly nonexistent. The Eagles' decision to attempt an onside kick with 5:19 remaining further highlighted their defensive concerns.

The Eagles, once in control of the NFC East, now face the prospect of playing their postseason games on the road. Despite defensive playcalling changes earlier in the season, the Eagles' defense has regressed, and their once-promising season is now in jeopardy.