What a wild ride it’s been during the 2024-25 NFL regular season! When the final whistle blew in Week 17, the regular season ended, and the playoff picture was officially set and the road to Super Bowl LIX (59), has begun. Teams battled fiercely, with many securing their coveted spots in the playoffs while others faced the heartbreak of elimination.
Let’s begin with the teams that eliminated themselves from the postseason on Sunday: the Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, and Miami Dolphins.
The Falcons found themselves in a must-win situation, hoping for a little luck. The team needed to win and needed the Buccaneers to lose. However, fate had other plans. Atlanta fell short against the Carolina Panthers, while the Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints. With that victory, Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South title and secured their spot in the playoffs, leaving the Falcons’ dreams dashed.
The Bengals found themselves in a similar situation. They needed to win and needed some assistance to advance. The team did their part by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the New York Jets assisted by beating the Miami Dolphins. Unfortunately, they needed more help from the Kansas City Chiefs, but that didn’t happen. The Chiefs lost to the Denver Broncos. As a result, the Bengals played themselves out of the playoff picture.
The Chiefs were not helpful at all during Week 17. Their loss not only contributed to the Bengals’ elimination but also played a role in the Dolphins’ elimination. However, since the Dolphins lost regardless, even if the Chiefs had won, the Dolphins would still have missed the playoffs.
Now, looking ahead to the Wild Card round, which begins on Saturday, Jan. 11. The Houston Texans chose to rest their starters for most of the game on Sunday, yet still managed to secure a 23-14 victory against the Tennessee Titans. This impressive performance not only highlighted the depth of their roster but also solidified their position as the champions of the AFC South, allowing them to clinch the coveted No. 4 seed in the upcoming playoffs. With this achievement, the Texans are set to host the No. 5-seeded Los Angeles Chargers, led by head coach Jim Harbaugh. The matchup promises to be exciting as both teams look to make a strong playoff run.
The next game promises to be an exhilarating rematch between the storied rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens solidified their postseason position by clinching the No. 3 seed in the playoff bracket after a decisive victory over the Cleveland Browns in the final week of the NFL regular season. This win not only clinched the AFC North title for Baltimore but also ensured they could host at least one playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium in front of their home crowd.
As fate would have it, their first playoff showdown will be a high-stakes, win-or-go-home clash against the No. 6-seeded Steelers. The rivalry between these two teams is fierce, highlighted by their split record of 1-1 during the regular season. Each team will be looking to assert dominance in this critical matchup, making it a must-watch for fans and a pivotal moment in their quest for the Super Bowl.
On Sunday, fans can look forward to an exciting lineup of three games, starting with a highly anticipated matchup featuring the No. 2 seeded Buffalo Bills as they face off against the Denver Broncos. The Bills, known for the heroic quarterback play of this year’s MVP frontrunner Josh Allen, are looking to make a strong statement in their playoff run. On the other side, the No. 7 seeded Broncos are entering the postseason with renewed vigor after a commanding victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, where they defeated the Chiefs 38-0. This upcoming playoff appearance marks a significant milestone for the Broncos, as it will be their first return to the postseason in nine years.
The next game will be a rematch between the No. 2-seeded Philadelphia Eagles and the 7-seeded Green Bay Packers. In the opening week of this NFL season, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers clashed in an exhilarating matchup held in Brazil, where the Eagles emerged victorious with a score of 34-29. This upcoming encounter will take place at Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles’ home turf. Both teams, however, are grappling with significant challenges due to injuries to their quarterbacks. Jalen Hurts was sidelined during the Week 17 game against the New York Giants, raising concerns about his availability. Meanwhile, Jordan Love sustained an elbow injury during the Packers’ recent showdown against the Chicago Bears, casting further doubt on his status for the game. Currently, the availability of both quarterbacks remains uncertain, making this matchup even more intriguing as fans await updates.
The final game on Sunday features an exciting matchup between the 3-seeded Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the 6-seeded Washington Commanders. The Buccaneers secured their spot by triumphing over the New Orleans Saints, a victory that not only clinched the NFC South title but also propelled them from the fourth seed to the third, thanks to the Rams’ defeat at the hands of the Seahawks. As they prepare for this showdown, the Buccaneers will face a familiar opponent in the Commanders, a team they dominated in their previous encounter, overcoming them with an impressive score of 37-20 in Week 1 of the season.
The highly anticipated final game of the Wildcard round is set to take place on Monday, featuring a clash between the 5-seeded Minnesota Vikings and the 4-seeded Los Angeles Rams. It’s quite rare for a team with an impressive 14-3 record, like the Vikings, to find themselves as a lower seed compared to a team with a 10-7 record. Unfortunately, this unusual scenario arose after the Vikings suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions, costing them the chance to clinch the NFC North title and the 1-seed. This unexpected turn of events has shaped the competitive landscape of the playoffs and set the stage for what promises to be an exciting showdown between these two teams.
As the playoffs unfold, both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions have secured their positions as the top seeds in their respective conferences, earning them a well-deserved first-round bye week. This advantageous status allows them to rest and prepare while other teams battle it out in the opening round. The Chiefs will eagerly await the outcome of the matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos, setting the stage for an exciting showdown in the next round. Meanwhile, the Lions will be focused on the winners of the clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers, anticipating fierce competition as they eye their next opponent.
