MIAMI GARDENS, FL – AUGUST 17: A detail shot of an NFL shield logo painted on the field prior to an NFL preseason football game between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders at Hard Rock Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
The NFL Playoffs are here! We have six games coming up this weekend, and here is what the seeding looks like: who will play who and who should be moving on!
AFC
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 13: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts as he takes the field before the AFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Miami Dolphins at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The AFC playoffs will go through the Chiefs. That much we know. But here is the seeding and breakdown!
1. Kansas City Chiefs
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 04: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
They rested their stars in week 18, and as the top seed in the AFC, they also have the bye week coming up. We won’t see them until the divisional round, likely against the Chargers.
2. Buffalo Bills
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 16: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills calls a play at the line during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
They are the number 2 seed, but we knew that heading into week 18. The only thing they didn’t know was who they would play. Now they know. They get a rookie QB coming into Buffalo in January. Good spot for the Bills to be in.
3. Baltimore Ravens
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, JANUARY 20: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Texans 34-10. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
They are the 3rd seed, are playing their best football right now and will host the Steelers.
4. Houston Texans
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 12: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Clinched the AFC South division title a while back but have played uninspiring football since week 8.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after defeating the Washington Football Team 20-16 at FedExField on September 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Their win over the Raiders bumped them into the 5th seed and now they get to face Houston instead of Baltimore. They are playing well and should beat Houston.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 9: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before the preseason game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
They are limping into the postseason and will now limp into Baltimore and possibly get blown out.
7. Denver Broncos
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 22: Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
They won huge against the Chiefs backups and are the 7th seed. They are heading to Buffalo to face the Bills.
NFC
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 12: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions takes the field to play the Atlanta Falcons for a NFL preseason game at Ford Field on August 12, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The NFC playoffs are going through the city of Detroit! The Lions are one of the toughest teams to beat at home, which puts them in a great position to head to the Super Bowl. Here are the playoff seedings in the NFC and a breakdown!
1. Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 21: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
They won the massive SNF game against the Vikings and have secured the NFC North, the number one seed in the NFC, and a first-round bye. They are likely going to face the Vikings in the divisional round.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Rested their stars because they had the two seed locked down. They will be ready to host the Packers this weekend in what will be a rematch of the opening game of the season between the two teams, a game that the Eagles won.
3. Tampa Bay Bucs
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 17: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 17, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Their dramatic win in week 18 gave them the NFC South crown. Thanks to the Rams loss, they move up into the 3rd seed and get to avoid the 14-win wild card team.
4. Los Angeles Rams
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 29: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams drops back to pass during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
They lost to Seattle and fell to the 4th seed. It could be a big loss considering now they have to face the 14-win wild card team rather than the Commanders.
5. Minnesota Vikings
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Despite their amazing season and record, they have to go on the road in the first round and face a Rams team that won’t be an easy out.
6. Washington Commanders
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 06: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders rushes against the Cleveland Browns at Northwest Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Securing the 6th seed was big for them. Although Tampa is no slouch, it’s a much better matchup than having to go into Philly and face the Eagles.
7. Green Bay Packers
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 31: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass the ball in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
They haven’t looked good to finish the season and now have to go into Philly. Things don’t look good for them.
