The resting period for the No. 1 seeds is almost over. The divisional round of the NFL playoffs is coming up.
Super Wild Card Weekend ends Monday, and it already has delivered some stunning results. The first three games of the playoffs all were lopsided contests, with the Texans blowing out the Browns, the Chiefs shutting down the Dolphins and the Packers upsetting the Cowboys.
Sunday night delivered the first nail-biting matchup, with the Lions surviving the Rams to win a 24-23 thriller. Monday was a bit less exciting, as the Bills handled the Steelers 31-17 despite a late comeback attempt from Pittsburgh while the Buccaneers beat the Eagles 32-9 in a game that Tampa Bay never trailed.
MORE: Watch the 2024 NFL playoffs with Fubo (free trial)
The bracket for the next round is now formed with all four matchups for the divisional round set.
Here’s a sneak peek at the schedule for the eight teams remaining in the 2024 NFL playoffs.
NFL playoff bracket 2024
Here are the matchups for the divisional round of the playoffs.
AFC
— Ravens (1) vs. Texans (4)
— Chiefs (3) vs. Bills (2)
NFC
— 49ers (1) vs. Packers (7)
— Lions (3) vs. Buccaneers (4)
NFL playoff schedule
Here’s how you can watch all the divisional round matchups next weekend.
Saturday, Jan. 20
Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream Texans at Ravens 3:30 p.m. ABC/ESPN ESPN+, Fubo Packers at 49ers 8 p.m. Fox Fubo
Sunday, Jan. 21
Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream Buccaneers at Lions 3 p.m. NBC Peacock, Fubo Chiefs at Bills 6:30 p.m. CBS Paramount+, Fubo
AFC divisional round matchups
Ravens (1) vs. Texans (4)
The Ravens are well-rested after sitting their starters for Week 18 and getting Super Wild Card Weekend off. They will now get to test their mettle against rookie sensation C.J. Stroud and the Texans, who will be fresh off their dominating win over the Browns.
Stroud totaled 274 yards and three touchdowns on just 21 passes in a 45-14 demolition of the Browns. Houston’s defense had two pick-sixes against Joe Flacco, so they will look to provide a similar test against likely league MVP Lamar Jackson.
Bills (2) vs. Chiefs (3)
The Chiefs looked red-hot in the sub-zero elements against the Dolphins, running the score up to 26-7 in a commanding wild-card win. What wasn’t known is whether Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be on the road in the postseason for the first time outside the Super Bowl or whether his improbable streak of home playoff games to start his career will continue.
That was clarified after the Bills beat the Steelers 31-17 to advance to the divisional round. Josh Allen had a four-touchdown game — including a 52-yard touchdown run, the second-longest by a quarterback in playoff history — and figures to provide a quality test for a strong Kansas City defense.
Unlikely previous seasons, a shootout would probably be more favorable for the Bills, as the Chiefs have the better defense. Thus, it will be interesting to see exactly what Mahomes and Kansas City can do as they travel to the unfriendly confines of Highmark Stadium.
NFC divisional round matchups
49ers (1) vs. Packers (7)
At three different points for three different franchises, Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur found themselves on the same team. Now, for the second time in three years, the two will square off as head coaches looking to advance in the playoffs.
The No. 1 seed Packers were eliminated in the divisional round of the 2021 playoffs by the No. 6 seed 49ers. These two will enter in reverse positions this time, with the Packers as the No. 7 seed facing the well-rested No. 1 seed 49ers. The Packers are clicking on all cylinders with four straight wins, led by Jordan Love, who ranks first among all quarterbacks in EPA (expected points added) per play + CPOE (completion percentage over expected) composite since Week 11.
Lions (3) vs. Buccaneers (4)
The Lions won their first playoff game since 1991, when Detroit reached the conference championship. They did so by taking down longtime quarterback Matthew Stafford with Jared Goff, the quarterback they acquired for Stafford in the trade with the Rams.
Detroit can thank its division rival Green Bay, as the Packers’ win over the Cowboys ensured that the Lions have at least one more home game left this season. They will get a chance to play against the Buccaneers, who beat the Eagles soundly at home to set up a clash of former No. 1 picks in Goff and Baker Mayfield.
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