NFL Playoffs 2025: Wild-Card Weekend Kicks Off with High Stakes

The NFL playoffs are set to begin with a thrilling wild-card weekend, as 14 teams vie for a spot in the divisional round. The 2025 postseason features a competitive field, with every playoff team boasting at least 10 wins, including a historic 14-win wild-card team. The action kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 11, and concludes with a Monday night showdown, setting the stage for an unpredictable and exciting playoff run.

Six wild-card games will be played over three days, with two games on Saturday, three on Sunday, and a standalone Monday Night Football game. The No. 1 seeds in each conference, the Kansas City Chiefs (AFC) and the San Francisco 49ers (NFC), have earned first-round byes and will await the lowest remaining seeds in the divisional round. The Chiefs, led by head coach Andy Reid, are aiming to make history by becoming the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

The playoff bracket is dynamic, with the No. 1 seeds facing the lowest remaining seed in the divisional round. This format, introduced in 2020 when the NFL expanded the playoff field to 14 teams, ensures a wide range of potential matchups. The No. 2 seeds no longer receive a bye, adding an extra layer of competition to the wild-card round.

In the AFC, the divisional-round bracket will be set after the No. 2-seed Buffalo Bills face the No. 7-seed Denver Broncos on Sunday. Meanwhile, the NFC bracket will remain uncertain until the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings conclude their Monday night matchup. The Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers will also play a pivotal role in shaping the NFC playoff picture.

The NFL playoffs will culminate in Super Bowl 59, scheduled for Feb. 9 in New Orleans. Fans can expect high-stakes drama as teams battle for a chance to lift the Lombardi Trophy.