The NFL Divisional Round kicked off with a dramatic bang and ended with a statement blowout-two games, two very different stories, and both with major implications for the road to Super Bowl 60.
Let’s start with the thriller in Denver. Wil Lutz played hero for the Broncos, drilling a 33-yard field goal in overtime to cap off a 33-30 win over the Buffalo Bills.
It was a classic playoff battle-momentum swings, big-time throws, and a finish that reminded everyone why January football is so compelling. Denver, the AFC’s No. 1 seed, showed poise under pressure and earned their ticket to the conference championship in front of a raucous home crowd.
Then came the nightcap, and this one wasn’t close. The Seattle Seahawks, also holding the No. 1 seed in the NFC, absolutely dominated the San Francisco 49ers, 41-6.
This was a statement win-physical, relentless, and complete. From the opening whistle, Seattle controlled the line of scrimmage and never let up.
The 49ers, despite a strong regular season, were simply overwhelmed by the Seahawks’ speed and execution on both sides of the ball.
Looking ahead to Sunday, the Divisional Round continues with two intriguing matchups featuring No. 5 seeds visiting No. 2 seeds in both conferences.
In the AFC, the Houston Texans head to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Both teams finished the regular season at 14-3, but the Patriots earned the higher seed and home-field advantage. This one has all the makings of a chess match-two balanced teams with playoff experience and dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Later, at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC, the Los Angeles Rams travel to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears.
The Rams, at 12-5, have been one of the most consistent teams in the NFC all year, while the Bears, also 11-6, are riding a late-season surge that’s made them one of the more dangerous teams left in the field. This game could come down to which defense bends less-and which quarterback makes the fewest mistakes under the lights.
Here’s where the playoff picture stands:
AFC Playoff Bracket
- **No.
1 Denver Broncos (14-3)** - Advanced to AFC Championship
- **No.
2 New England Patriots (14-3)** - Hosting Texans Sunday
- **No.
5 Houston Texans (12-5)** - At Patriots Sunday
- **No.
6 Buffalo Bills (12-5)** - Eliminated
- **No.
3 Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)** - Eliminated
- **No.
4 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)** - Eliminated
- **No.
7 Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)** - Eliminated
NFC Playoff Bracket
- **No.
1 Seattle Seahawks (14-3)** - Advanced to NFC Championship
- **No.
2 Chicago Bears (11-6)** - Hosting Rams Sunday
- **No.
5 Los Angeles Rams (12-5)** - At Bears Sunday
- **No.
6 San Francisco 49ers (12-5)** - Eliminated
- **No.
3 Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)** - Eliminated
- **No.
4 Carolina Panthers (8-9)** - Eliminated
- **No.
7 Green Bay Packers (9-7-1)** - Eliminated
What’s Next
Conference Championship Sunday - January 25
- AFC Championship: Denver Broncos vs. winner of Texans/Patriots - 3 p.m.
ET on CBS/Paramount+
- NFC Championship: Seattle Seahawks vs. winner of Rams/Bears - 6:30 p.m.
ET on FOX
Super Bowl 60
- Sunday, February 8 - 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock
A Quick Refresher on Playoff Seeding
Each conference sends seven teams to the postseason: four division winners and three wild cards. Division winners are seeded 1 through 4 based on record, while the wild cards take seeds 5 through 7, regardless of whether they have a better record than a division champ. The No. 1 seed in each conference gets a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout their conference playoffs-a massive edge, as Denver and Seattle just reminded us.
With two heavyweights already punching their tickets to Championship Sunday, and two more spots up for grabs, the NFL playoffs are heating up. Buckle up-this ride is only getting better.