The conclusion of Week 18 marks the end of the NFL’s regular season, which was filled with significant developments, including the Detroit Lions clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Denver Broncos also secured their spots in the playoff lineup.
Despite suffering a loss to the Broncos in their final game, the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, along with their star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, remain contenders for the title. They primarily fielded backup players for the game after already securing the top position in the AFC playoff bracket.
In the NFC, the Lions triumphed over the Minnesota Vikings, winning the game 31-9, which allowed them to obtain home-field advantage leading up to the Super Bowl. As a result of this defeat, the Vikings slipped to the No. 5 seed in the playoff rankings.
As the playoffs approach, there are essential elements to note regarding the NFL playoff structure.
This will be the fifth season using the 14-team playoff format that was introduced in 2020. In each conference, seven teams are eligible to compete in the postseason. The four division champions from the AFC and NFC earn the top four seeds, ranked according to their win-loss records, while three others are selected as wild cards, also ranked by their performance.
This setup highlights the significance of the No. 1 seed in both conferences, which guarantees a bye in the wild-card round and home-field advantage through to the Super Bowl. In the opening round for the other 12 teams, the play structure consists of the No. 7 seed challenging the No. 2 seed, the No. 6 facing off against No. 3, and the No. 5 going against the No. 4 seed.
The schedule for the playoffs is as follows (odds sourced from BetMGM Sportsbook):
On Saturday:
– AFC: No. 5 Chargers at No. 4 Texans, 4:30 p.m., CBS/Paramount+ (Chargers -3)
– AFC: No. 6 Steelers at No. 3 Ravens, 8 p.m., Prime Video (Ravens -10)
On Sunday:
– AFC: No. 7 Broncos at No. 2 Bills, 1 p.m., CBS/Paramount+ (Bills -9)
– NFC: No. 7 Packers at No. 2 Eagles, 4:30 p.m., Fox (Eagles -4.5)
– NFC: No. 6 Commanders at No. 3 Buccaneers, 8 p.m., NBC/Peacock (Buccaneers -3)
On Monday:
– NFC: No. 5 Vikings at No. 4 Rams, 8 p.m., ESPN/ABC (Vikings -1.5)
Following the first round, the Divisional Round will take place on Jan. 18-19, featuring two games on Saturday and two on Sunday. The Conference Championships for both the AFC and NFC are set for Jan. 26, while Super Bowl LIX is scheduled for Feb. 9 at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Currently, the Lions are the favorites to win the Super Bowl with odds of +280, closely followed by the Chiefs at +350, and the Ravens at +600.
Recent developments in the NFL include concerns around Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s medical setbacks, which may affect his future with the team, as well as Baker Mayfield’s rising success in Tampa Bay turning him into an asset for coaching. Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers showcased his skills in Week 18, proving he still has what it takes, while Sam Darnold and the Vikings are searching for answers without the luxury of a playoff bye.
