NFL Playoff Picture: Wild Card Weekend matchups
The NFL playoff field is set.
Here are the Wild Card Weekend matchups, start times, and broadcast details:
AFC
| Matchup | Date | Time | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| (5) Browns at (4) Texans | Saturday | 4:30 p.m. | NBC |
| (6) Dolphins at (3) Chiefs | Saturday | 8 p.m. | Peacock |
| (7) Steelers at (2) Bills | Sunday | 1 p.m. | CBS |
In a battle of two incredible stories, the Texans welcome the Browns to Houston in the wild-card round. Head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud have taken the NFL by storm en route to the Texans’ first division title since 2019. But, on the other side is a Browns team led by the unlikeliest of heroes in Joe Flacco. The veteran has put up a 4-1 record and thrown 13 touchdowns since joining the franchise.
Welcome back to Arrowhead, Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins fell to a wild-card spot after losing the AFC East to the Bills on Sunday night. That sets up Miami and Hill for a date with the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs. This isn't your typical Chiefs team, though, as Patrick Mahomes' offense has been plagued by scoring issues throughout the campaign.
The Bills enter the postseason with the league's longest win streak at five games. That run has carried Buffalo to not only a playoff spot but the No. 2 seed. However, Buffalo's opponent enters on a hot streak of its own. The Steelers rode a three-game winning streak to the AFC's final wild-card spot. In what might be the most lopsided quarterback battle of the opening round, it'll be Josh Allen up against Mason Rudolph.
AFC playoff standings
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ravens | North | 13-4 |
| 2 | Bills | East | 11-6 |
| 3 | Chiefs | West | 11-6 |
| 4 | Texans | South | 10-7 |
| 5 | Browns | North | 11-6 |
| 6 | Dolphins | East | 11-6 |
| 7 | Steelers | North | 10-7 |
NFC
| Matchup | Date | Time | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| (7) Packers at (2) Cowboys | Sunday | 4:30 p.m. | FOX |
| (6) Rams at (3) Lions | Sunday | 8 p.m. | NBC |
| (5) Eagles at (4) Buccaneers | Monday | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
Revenge seems to be the theme of the NFC’s wild-card round, starting with the Cowboys' matchup against the Packers. Green Bay booked itself a meeting with former head coach Mike McCarthy after winning its final three games of the 2023 season. McCarthy locked up the No. 2 seed after the Cowboys marched to an impressive 12-5 record.
Two familiar faces cross paths again as the Matthew Stafford-led Rams take on the Jared Goff-led Lions. Detroit never hosted a playoff game during Stafford’s 12 years with the team but will now welcome him back for its first home postseason game since the 1993 season.
The Eagles appeared poised to be the NFC’s top team before losing five of their last six to end the season. Due to its slide, Philly will have to travel to Tampa Bay, where it’ll look to stop a revitalized Bucs squad under Baker Mayfield's leadership. Despite losing Tom Brady to retirement in the offseason, Mayfield directed Tampa Bay to its fourth straight playoff appearance and third consecutive division title.
NFC playoff standings
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 49ers | West | 12-5 |
| 2 | Cowboys | East | 12-5 |
| 3 | Lions | North | 12-5 |
| 4 | Buccaneers | South | 9-8 |
| 5 | Eagles | East | 11-6 |
| 6 | Rams | West | 10-7 |
| 7 | Packers | North | 9-8 |