The NFL playoffs are down to the final eight teams. Divisional round matchups are locked in for January 17-18. The road to Super Bowl LX runs through Denver and Seattle for the top seeds.
At a Glance
- The divisional round kicks off Saturday, January 17 with four games across two days
- Seahawks host 49ers, Bears host Rams in NFC matchups
- AFC matchups depend on Sunday’s Chargers-Patriots result
- Super Bowl LX set for February 8 at Levi’s Stadium
Why it matters: These games determine who plays for the conference championships and a shot at the NFL title.
Teams That Advanced
Wild Card weekend delivered four winners:
AFC:
- Buffalo Bills beat Jacksonville Jaguars 27-24
NFC:
- Chicago Bears defeated Green Bay Packers 31-27
- Los Angeles Rams topped Carolina Panthers 34-31
- San Francisco 49ers edged Philadelphia Eagles 23-19
The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks earned first-round byes as top seeds in their conferences.
Divisional Round Schedule
Saturday, January 17
- Game 1: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Game 2: 8 p.m. ET
Sunday, January 18
- Game 3: 3 p.m. ET
- Game 4: 6:30 p.m. ET
Games air on NBC, CBS, FOX, and ESPN/ABC.
NFC Matchups Confirmed
The NFC bracket is set:
- No. 1 Seattle Seahawks vs. No. 6 San Francisco 49ers
- No. 2 Chicago Bears vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Rams
The Seahawks earned home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The 49ers travel north for an NFC West rivalry game. The Bears host the Rams in a battle of NFC powers.
AFC Scenarios Pending
The AFC matchups hinge on Sunday night’s game between the Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots.
If Patriots win:
- Broncos face Bills
- Patriots play Texans-Steelers winner
If Chargers win:
- Broncos host Chargers
- Bills play Texans-Steelers winner
The Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers face off Monday night to complete the AFC field.
Playoff Reseeding Explained
The NFL reseeds teams after each round. This means the highest remaining seed always faces the lowest remaining seed in each conference.
The Broncos and Seahawks automatically face the lowest seeds left in their conferences as top seeds. This system rewards regular season success with easier playoff matchups.
Road to Super Bowl LX
The conference championships take place Sunday, January 25:
- AFC Championship Game on CBS
- NFC Championship Game on FOX
Super Bowl LX follows on Sunday, February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The game airs on NBC and streams on Peacock.
Key Takeaways
The NFL playoffs enter their most exciting weekend. Eight teams remain with four games determining the conference championship matchups. The top seeds hold home-field advantage but face tough competition from battle-tested wild card winners. Every game matters with Super Bowl LX just weeks away.
