NFL Playoffs Kick Off This Weekend
The highly anticipated NFL playoffs are set to begin this Saturday, with two thrilling matchups that promise to deliver exciting football action. The Baltimore Ravens will face off against their division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the American Conference (AFC), while the Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Green Bay Packers in the National Conference (NFC).
The Ravens-Steelers matchup is particularly noteworthy, as both teams are part of the AFC North division, with the Ravens having secured the division title. This local rivalry is sure to bring an extra level of intensity to the game.
In another exciting matchup, the Houston Texans, champions of the AFC South division, will host the Los Angeles Chargers, who are considered dark horses in the playoffs under the guidance of coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh’s experience and success in college football, including a championship win with Michigan last year, make the Chargers a formidable opponent.
On Sunday, the AFC wild card round will continue with the Buffalo Bills, led by Josh Allen, a strong candidate for Most Valuable Player of the season, facing off against the Denver Broncos, who secured their postseason spot as the last team to qualify.
The Kansas City Chiefs, who finished as the top team in the AFC, will enjoy a well-deserved rest during the wild card round. They will have the privilege of hosting games in the divisional round and potentially the conference final.
In the NFC, the wild card games will kick off on Sunday with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visiting the Washington Commanders. Later that day, the Philadelphia Eagles, the second seed in the NFC, will host the Green Bay Packers, who boast the youngest average age in the NFL.
The final game of the wild card round will take place on Monday, with the Minnesota Vikings facing off against the Los Angeles Rams. The Detroit Lions, who finished first in the NFC, will also enjoy a rest during the first week of the playoffs.
NFL Draft Order 2025
As the NFL playoffs get underway, teams that have already been eliminated from contention are looking ahead to the 2025 draft. The Tennessee Titans, who finished with the worst record in the league, will have the first pick in the draft, followed by the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears.
The next eight picks will be held by the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and Seattle Seahawks.
NFL Wild Card Games Schedule
Here is the schedule for the NFL wild card games:
Saturday, January 11: Texans vs. Chargers, Ravens vs. Steelers
Sunday, January 12: Bills vs. Broncos, Buccaneers vs. Commanders, Eagles vs. Packers
Monday, January 13: Vikings vs. Rams
The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions will enjoy a first-round bye, with the Chiefs having secured the top spot in the AFC and the Lions finishing first in the NFC.