Introduction to the Playoffs
The 2024-2025 NFL playoffs are upon us, with seven teams from each conference clinching a spot in the postseason. The number one seed in each conference receives a bye, while the 2-7 seeds must play in the wild-card round. After the wild-card round, the lowest remaining seed will advance to play the number one seed in the divisional round, while the two higher seeds also face off.
AFC Wild-Card Games
The AFC wild-card games start with the 4-seed and 10-7 Houston Texans hosting the 5-seed and 11-6 Los Angeles Chargers, the 3-seed and 12-5 Baltimore Ravens hosting the 6-seed and 10-7 Pittsburgh Steelers, and the 2-seed and 13-4 Buffalo Bills hosting the 7-seed and 10-7 Denver Broncos.
NFC Wild-Card Games
The NFC wild-card games consist of the 4-seed and 10-7 Los Angeles Rams hosting the 5-seed and 14-3 Minnesota Vikings, the 3-seed and 10-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the 6-seed and 12-5 Washington Commanders, and the 2-seed and 14-3 Philadelphia Eagles hosting the 7-seed and 11-6 Green Bay Packers.
Wild Card Round Highlights
The first wild card round game consists of the Houston Texans vs. the Los Angeles Chargers. The Texans will defeat the Chargers with a score of 27 to 21 due to their star-studded offense, led by reigning offensive rookie of the year CJ Stroud.
The next game of the AFC wild-card round is the Baltimore Ravens against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In this game, the Ravens will conquer the Steelers 27 to 17, led by their two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Ravens and Steelers split the season series, with the Steelers winning 18 to 16 on November 17 and the Ravens winning 34 to 17 on December 21. The Ravens’ newly inspired defense will give them the edge against the Steelers after their dominant performance in their last matchup they met in.
The third and final AFC wild-card game is between the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos. This matchup will be very lopsided with the Bills winning by a score of 35 to 10 led by NFL MVP candidate quarterback Josh Allen. The Bills’ star-studded offense will be too much for the Broncos’ young team led by Rookie quarterback Bo Nix and their powerful defense led by Defensive Player of the Year Candidate cornerback Pat Surtain II.
In the NFC, the first game consists of a matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. The Eagles will pull out the narrow win, with a final score of 24 to 21 led by MVP candidate running back Saquon Barkley. These squads last met in the NFL season opener in Sao Paolo, Brazil, on September 6, 2024.
Following the first NFC matchup is the duel between the Washington Commanders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Commanders will pull off the upset by blowing out the Buccaneers 35 to 17, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Buccaneers have faced recent struggles, as they barely beat the 5-12 New Orleans Saints in their final game of the regular season.
The final game of the NFC Wild Card is the Los Angeles Rams against the Minnesota Vikings. The ultra-talented Vikings squad will eke out a close win by a score of 27 to 24 led by their superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The Rams’ experience on offense could be an issue for the less experienced Vikings defensive line.
Divisional Round and Championship Games
The first AFC divisional game features the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills. This game brings two high-octane offenses and the Bills will squeak out a close win 34 to 31 once again led by Josh Allen and advance to the AFC Championship.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans game will be a blowout, with the Chiefs dominating by a score of 35 to 17 led by 3-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs will move on to prepare for a rematch of the controversial 2022 divisional round game between these two teams in the AFC Championship game.
On the NFC side, the Eagles will dismantle Justin Jefferson and the Vikings, due to their farley superior defense by a score of 34 to 17. This is the first time the Eagles made the NFC championship game since they lost to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII back in 2022.
The Lions will blow out the Commanders 35 to 14 thanks to their dominant defense and advance to the NFC Championship game.
The AFC title game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills will be a close one, with the Bills winning 27 to 21 in overtime. The games between the Bills and Chiefs have been very competitive over the last couple of years. The Bills won their most recent matchup on November 17, 2024, by a score of 30 to 21 at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo.
The NFC title game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions will be an offensive shootout, with the Lions winning by a field goal to advance to their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
Super Bowl LIX
The Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills will face off in Super Bowl LIX at the Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans. This game will be a heavily contested matchup, with the game coming down to the wire with Lions second-year running back Jahmyr Gibbs rushing for the game-winning touchdown to clinch the 38 to 31 win for the Lions. Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell brings glory back to Detroit, as this win would mark the team’s first Super Bowl in franchise history.
