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NFL Playoff Schedule 2024 – Full Results, Bracket and Recap

Jackson Oliver Mercer Bennett • 2026-04-12 • Reviewed by Maya Thompson

The 2024-25 NFL playoffs delivered four weeks of high-stakes competition, beginning January 11 and concluding February 9, 2025, with the Philadelphia Eagles claiming their second Super Bowl title. The postseason featured 14 teams competing across four rounds, from the Wild Card round through the championship game held at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

This article provides the complete playoff schedule, bracket matchups, results, and key information about the NFL postseason structure. All game times are listed in Eastern Time, and higher-seeded teams hosted their respective games throughout the tournament.

What is the Full NFL Playoff Schedule for 2024?

The playoff schedule spanned multiple weeks, with games distributed across the Wild Card round, Divisional round, Conference Championships, and Super Bowl LIX. Each round featured predetermined dates and television broadcast information for fans following along.

Broadcast Information

Games aired across multiple networks including CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN/ABC, Prime Video, and their respective streaming platforms such as Paramount+, Peacock, and ESPN+.

2024-25 NFL Playoffs Overview

  • Wild Card Round: January 11-13, 2025
  • Divisional Round: January 18-19, 2025
  • Conference Championships: January 26, 2025
  • Super Bowl LIX: February 9, 2025

Key Insights from the 2024-25 NFL Playoffs

  • The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the NFC, winning all three playoff games by margins of 12, 6, and 32 points respectively.
  • Kansas City Chiefs secured their fifth consecutive AFC Championship appearance under quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
  • The Buffalo Bills advanced to the AFC Championship for the third consecutive year, losing a closely contested 32-29 game to the Chiefs.
  • Washington Commanders emerged as the surprise NFC team, defeating the top-seeded Detroit Lions before falling to the Eagles.
  • Super Bowl LIX ended with the Eagles defeating the Chiefs 40-22, the largest margin of victory in a Mahomes Super Bowl start.
  • Six of the seven AFC teams won their Wild Card matchups, with the Chargers being the only team to lose by a significant margin (32-12 to Houston).

Complete Playoff Results

Round Dates Key Matchups TV
Wild Card Jan 11-13 Texans 32-12 Chargers; Ravens 28-14 Steelers; Bills 31-7 Broncos; Eagles 22-10 Packers; Commanders 23-20 Buccaneers; Rams 27-9 Vikings CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Prime Video
Divisional Jan 18-19 Chiefs 23-14 Texans; Commanders 45-31 Lions; Eagles 28-22 Rams; Bills 27-25 Ravens FOX, NBC, CBS, ESPN/ABC/ESPN+
Conference Championships Jan 26 Eagles 55-23 Commanders; Chiefs 32-29 Bills FOX, CBS
Super Bowl LIX Feb 9 Eagles 40-22 Chiefs FOX

NFL Playoff Bracket and Matchups 2024

The playoff bracket determined matchups based on regular-season records and divisional standings. Four division winners from each conference received the top four seeds, with three wild card teams filling positions five through seven.

AFC Playoff Teams and Seeds

The Kansas City Chiefs entered the playoffs as the AFC’s top seed after winning the AFC West with an outstanding record, earning a first-round bye. The Buffalo Bills claimed the second seed in the AFC East, while the Baltimore Ravens secured the third seed in the AFC North. The Houston Texans won the AFC South to earn the fourth seed. Wild card teams included the Los Angeles Chargers (fifth), Pittsburgh Steelers (sixth), and Denver Broncos (seventh).

NFC Playoff Teams and Seeds

The Detroit Lions finished the regular season as the NFC’s top team, winning the NFC North and receiving the conference’s only first-round bye. The Philadelphia Eagles earned the second seed in the NFC East, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed the third seed in the NFC South, and the Los Angeles Rams took the fourth seed in the NFC West. Wild card participants were the Minnesota Vikings (fifth), Washington Commanders (sixth), and Green Bay Packers (seventh).

Bracket Path to the Super Bowl

The Eagles’ championship path included victories over the Packers, Rams, and Commanders—all at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Chiefs defeated the Texans, then overcame the Bills in a rematch of the previous year’s AFC Championship.

Wild Card Round Results

Six games comprised the Wild Card round, with all contests taking place between January 11-13, 2025. The Houston Texans opened the postseason with a decisive 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium. The Baltimore Ravens followed with a 28-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium.

On Sunday, January 12, the Buffalo Bills dominated the Denver Broncos 31-7 at Highmark Stadium. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers 22-10 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Washington Commanders edged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in overtime at Raymond James Stadium. The Wild Card round concluded Monday night as the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 at State Farm Stadium.

Divisional Round Results

The Divisional round commenced January 18 with two games. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans 23-14 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Washington Commanders pulled off a major upset, defeating the top-seeded Detroit Lions 45-31 at Ford Field.

On January 19, the Philadelphia Eagles outlasted the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Buffalo Bills secured a 27-25 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of the previous season’s AFC Divisional round, held at Highmark Stadium.

Key Dates: Super Bowl and Conference Championships

The Conference Championships on January 26, 2025, determined which two teams would meet in Super Bowl LIX. Both games showcased high-scoring affairs with dramatic finishes.

NFC Championship: Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Commanders

The Eagles dominated the NFC Championship from start to finish, defeating the Commanders 55-23 at Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia’s offense set a franchise playoff record with 55 points, advancing to their fourth Super Bowl in franchise history.

AFC Championship: Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills

The Chiefs edged the Bills 32-29 at Arrowhead Stadium in a back-and-forth contest. Patrick Mahomes led the go-ahead drive in the final minutes, securing Kansas City’s fifth consecutive AFC Championship and trip to the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl LIX: Philadelphia Eagles vs Kansas City Chiefs

The championship game took place February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The Eagles delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Chiefs 40-22. Philadelphia’s defense pressured Mahomes throughout the game, while quarterback Jalen Hurts led an efficient offensive attack. The victory marked Philadelphia’s second Super Bowl title, with the first coming during the 2017 season.

NFL Playoff Format and Rules 2024

The NFL postseason operates on a single-elimination format involving 14 teams—seven from each conference. The structure rewards regular-season success while maintaining competitive balance through seeding rules.

How Seeding Works

Four division winners automatically qualify for the playoffs, receiving the top four seeds within their respective conferences based on winning percentage. The three remaining playoff spots go to non-division winners with the best records, seeded fifth through seventh. The first seed in each conference receives a bye during the Wild Card round, advancing directly to the Divisional round.

Home-Field Advantage Rules

Throughout the playoffs, the higher-seeded team hosts each game. This advantage applies from the Wild Card round through the Conference Championships, meaning the Chiefs and Lions would have hosted potential Conference Championship matchups if they advanced. The Super Bowl location is predetermined and does not follow seed-based hosting.

Seeding Structure

Wild Card matchups pair the second seed against the seventh, third seed against the sixth, and fourth seed against the fifth. The top seed faces the lowest remaining seed in the Divisional round, while the second and third seeds meet in the other Divisional matchup.

Television and Streaming Coverage

NFL playoff games are distributed across major broadcast networks through league agreements. CBS and FOX typically air AFC and NFC games respectively, with NBC handling Sunday Night Football and select playoff contests. Streaming platforms including Paramount+, Peacock, ESPN+, and Prime Video provide additional coverage options for cord-cutters. ESPN’s playoff bracket page offers interactive features for tracking the tournament.

Complete 2024 NFL Playoffs Timeline

The postseason unfolded chronologically over approximately one month, with each round building toward the championship conclusion. The following timeline summarizes all playoff events in order.

  1. Saturday, January 11: Houston Texans defeat LA Chargers 32-12; Baltimore Ravens defeat Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14
  2. Sunday, January 12: Buffalo Bills defeat Denver Broncos 31-7; Philadelphia Eagles defeat Green Bay Packers 22-10; Washington Commanders defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20
  3. Monday, January 13: LA Rams defeat Minnesota Vikings 27-9
  4. Saturday, January 18: Kansas City Chiefs defeat Houston Texans 23-14; Washington Commanders defeat Detroit Lions 45-31
  5. Sunday, January 19: Philadelphia Eagles defeat LA Rams 28-22; Buffalo Bills defeat Baltimore Ravens 27-25
  6. Sunday, January 26: Philadelphia Eagles defeat Washington Commanders 55-23 (NFC Championship); Kansas City Chiefs defeat Buffalo Bills 32-29 (AFC Championship)
  7. Sunday, February 9: Philadelphia Eagles defeat Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 (Super Bowl LIX)

Sources for timeline include FB Schedules and NBC Sports.

What We Know and What Remains Uncertain

While the 2024-25 NFL postseason concluded with documented results, certain aspects of future playoff formats and scheduling remain subject to league decisions.

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
Super Bowl LIX was played February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome Future Super Bowl host city selections beyond 2025
The Eagles won their second championship with a 40-22 victory Potential rule changes for future playoff formats
All playoff games followed the 14-team bracket structure Expansion discussions have not produced confirmed changes
Higher seeds hosted all playoff games except the Super Bowl Long-term broadcast contract negotiations remain ongoing

The Road to Super Bowl LIX

The 2024-25 postseason marked another significant chapter in the NFL’s modern era, characterized by competitive balance between conferences and the emergence of new contenders alongside established powers. The Philadelphia Eagles’ victory ended the Kansas City Chiefs’ attempt at a third consecutive Super Bowl title, a feat accomplished only by the New England Patriots in the early 2000s.

Several teams demonstrated significant growth during the season, particularly the Washington Commanders, who exceeded expectations by reaching the NFC Championship in their first full season with a restructured roster. The Buffalo Bills continued their dominance within the AFC East while repeatedly falling short against Kansas City in playoff competition.

Playoff attendance figures and television ratings reflected sustained fan interest, with the Eagles’ victory over the Chiefs delivering strong viewership numbers for Fox’s broadcast. The league’s television agreements with major networks ensure continued exposure for playoff games across traditional broadcast and streaming platforms.

Official Sources and References

Comprehensive information about the NFL playoffs is available through official league resources and established sports media outlets. The NFL’s official website provides detailed scheduling information and historical records.

The 2024-25 NFL playoffs concluded with Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, marking the culmination of the postseason that began with Wild Card games on January 11.

NFL.com Playoffs Hub

Additional verification of scores, matchups, and scheduling details comes from Wikipedia’s comprehensive NFL playoffs coverage and NFL Operations official rules documentation.

Looking Ahead After the 2024-25 NFL Playoffs

The conclusion of Super Bowl LIX marks the end of the 2024 NFL season and the beginning of the offseason period. Teams will now turn their attention to the NFL Draft, free agency, and preparations for the 2025 season. For those interested in following specific players or team developments, comprehensive statistics and biographical information remain available through dedicated sports coverage resources. The Amon-Ra St. Brown Stats, Bio, Family and Contract page provides detailed information about one of the league’s standout performers from this playoff run.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the 2024-25 NFL playoffs start?

The Wild Card round began on January 11, 2025, with the Houston Texans hosting the Los Angeles Chargers.

Who won Super Bowl LIX?

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 on February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

How many teams make the NFL playoffs?

Fourteen teams qualify for the NFL playoffs—seven from each conference. Four division winners receive the top seeds, with three wild card teams filling positions five through seven.

Which NFL teams had a first-round bye?

The Kansas City Chiefs (AFC) and Detroit Lions (NFC) received first-round byes as the top seeds in their respective conferences.

Where can I watch NFL playoff games?

Playoff games air on major broadcast networks including CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN, with streaming available through Paramount+, Peacock, ESPN+, and Prime Video.

What was the final score of the Eagles vs Chiefs game?

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX.

Did the Bills make the AFC Championship?

Yes, the Buffalo Bills advanced to the AFC Championship for the third consecutive year but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 32-29.

Which team was the biggest surprise of the 2024-25 playoffs?

The Washington Commanders reached the NFC Championship as a sixth seed, defeating the top-seeded Detroit Lions before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jackson Oliver Mercer Bennett

About the author

Jackson Oliver Mercer Bennett

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.