In a game defined by legends, this year’s NFL playoff bracket promises to add another chapter to the football archives – will we witness a dynasty cemented, or will a least-likely contender be on their way toward the Lombardi trophy? The top 14 seeded NFL teams come together in the biggest dogfight of the season for a chance to win the title of Super Bowl LIV champion.
This year’s Wildcard Weekend slimmed down the 14-team bracket, dropping promising squads like the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings and exciting young QBs like Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos. Additionally, the Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Baltimore Ravens 14-28, and the Los Angeles Chargers yielded a 12-32 loss against C.J. Stroud’s Houston Texans. Later, the Philadelphia Eagles took the win over an injury-filled Green Bay packers squad and Baker Mayfield’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell victim to a Jayden Daniels Washington Commanders offense.
Now in a much smaller bracket, the Divisional round began with a powerhouse match-up between the Houston Texans and reigning four-time Super Bowl Champions and American League top-seed, the Kansas City Chiefs. With a dominant Kansa City defense, Houston’s offense went overpowered by the first half and a multitude of questionable calls in favor of the Chiefs added to the 14-23 Texas loss. Saturday night held the rookie versus veteran match-up of the year, a fierce battle between the Detroit Lions led by number one seeded Jared Goff and Washington Commanders QB, Jayden Daniels. The pinpoint accuracy from Daniels and a steller Washington defensive outing ended up overtaking Goff’s years of experience sending a 15-2 Lions squad home after a tough 45-31 loss.
On a snowy Sunday evening, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills took on Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens in an intense battle for a spot in the AFC Championships. An extraordinary Bills offense and striking defense overpowered the 2023 season’s MVP, Jackson. In a tight QB matchup, the Ravens fell short by just two points, knocking them off the 2025 bracket. A coast-to-coast matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams broke out to finish off the Divisional rounds and eventually sent LA back home with a 22-28 loss. From the first quarter, Philadelphia dominated offensively with Jalen Hurts in the pocket. The slower LA offense took hit after hit from a Philly defense leading to their downfall to end the season.
Finally, the long-awaited Divisional Championships took place on Jan. 26 and delivered two fierce battles in the fight for a spot in Super Bowl LIV. The Washington Commanders faced the Philadelphia Eagles in an intense race toward the NFC Championship. With high hopes for Washington’s rookie, Daniels fell victim to an aggressive Eagles defense and an even more intense Philly offense. After a tight lead at the half, Jalen Hurts led Philly in a 21-point 4th quarter adding to a 55-21 Washington defeat. In the final game of the playoff bracket before the Super Bowl, Patrick Mahomes met Josh Allen at the AFC Championships in a tight race until the last drive. Kansas City sealed the deal with a field goal kick for yet another Chiefs and Eagles Super Bowl appearance.
