NFL Playoffs 2016: Schedule and Bracket Projections for Every Postseason Team

The NFL regular season concluded on Sunday with the divisional clash between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, and the seedings heading into the postseason are finally set. 

Many teams' fates were decided by the outcomes of Sunday's action; for instance, the Denver Broncos earned the top seed in the AFC with their win over the San Diego Chargers and New England's surprising loss to the Miami Dolphins, while Green Bay's loss to the Vikings dropped them to the No. 5 seed in the NFC. 

Let's take a look at the bracket heading into the Wild Card Round and make some projections for each matchup. 

Now that we know how the playoff stage looks, here's a look at the schedule for the upcoming games and projected winners in each round:

Wild Card Round

Saturday, Jan. 9

AFC: No. 5 Kansas City at No. 4 Houston, 4:35 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)

In the first game of the postseason, the NFL's No. 27 offense (Chiefs) takes on the No. 3 defense (Texans). That alone would seem to predict the final outcome, except that Houston also has to put up more points to actually win the game.

The Chiefs averaged 25.3 points per game in the regular season, compared to 21.2 for Houston. Ultimately, Alex Smith's legs and Kansas City's healthy offensive line swing this matchup in the Chiefs' favor.

Projected winner: Kansas City

AFC: No. 6 Pittsburgh at No. 3 Cincinnati, 8:15 p.m. ET (CBS)

This AFC North battle promises to be one of the most thrilling playoff matchups Wild Card Weekend has to offer. There are so many things to watch: Pittsburgh's high-scoring offense, the potential return of Andy Dalton and what the Steelers backfield will look like.

Ultimately, this matchup comes down to injuries. If the Bengals are rejuvenated by the return of Tyler Eifert and potentially Dalton while the Steelers reel from the loss of DeAngelo Williams, Cincinnati could pull this one out. 

Projected winner: Cincinnati 

Sunday, Jan. 10

NFC: No. 6 Seattle at No. 3 Minnesota, 1:05 p.m. ET (NBC)

The Vikings are hot heading into the postseason, having defeated the Green Bay Packers in Week 17 for the NFC North crown. The Seahawks, on the other hand, demolished the Arizona Cardinals 36-6 in the final week of the regular season and are much better than their seeding suggests—and should be getting Marshawn Lynch back in time for the playoffs, according to the Seattle Times' Bob Condotta. 

Projected winner: Seattle 

NFC: No. 5 Green Bay at No. 4 Washington, 4:40 p.m. ET (Fox)

No one knows what to expect from the Green Bay Packers. Will the clean-slate aspect of the playoffs allow them to get back to what made them a 6-0 team to start the season? Or is what's broken unable to be fixed without major personnel changes in the offseason? 

Ultimately, Kirk Cousins seems to have the better cast of weapons than Aaron Rodgers and could do real damage with DeSean Jackson and Jordan Reed. Add Washington's ferocious pass rush into the mix and suddenly it's hard to see how the Packers put more points on the board. 

Projected winner: Washington

Divisional Round

Saturday, Jan. 16

AFC: Cincinnati at No. 2 New England, 4:35 p.m. ET (CBS)

Cincinnati will get the monkey off its back somewhat with a win in the first round of the playoffs, but it's hard to imagine this team can beat the Patriots after a bye week at home—especially with Julian Edelman likely to be back in the lineup, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter (via ESPN.com). 

Projected winner: New England 

NFC: Washington at No. 2 Arizona, 8:15 p.m. ET (NBC)

Arizona may have been embarrassed by Seattle in Week 17, but Carson Palmer was also pulled from the game. The Cardinals have too many weapons for Washington's defense to stifle. 

Projected winner: Arizona

Sunday, Jan. 17

NFC: Seattle at No. 1 Carolina, 1:05 p.m. ET (Fox)

This is perhaps the toughest matchup to predict for the divisional round. While it's hard to deny Seattle's firepower, Carolina has been incredibly even throughout the season and home-field advantage weights the scale slightly in the Panthers' favor. 

Projected winner: Carolina 

AFC: Kansas City at No. 1 Denver, 4:40 p.m. ET (CBS)

As of Jan. 4, the Broncos don't even have a starting quarterback named ahead of the postseason. While the bye week will help Peyton Manning, who was impressive in Denver's rally over the San Diego Chargers in Week 17, get to full strength, this Broncos team has shown enough flaws this season that it's reasonable to wonder if it can make it to the AFC Championship Game. 

While Denver's defense is the toast of the league, Kansas City has been incredibly hot, boasting improvements on both sides of the ball in their last 10 regular-season wins. Expect the Chiefs to squeak by here.

Projected winner: Kansas City 

Championship Games

Sunday, Jan. 24

AFC: AFC Championship: Kansas City at New England, 3:05 p.m. ET (CBS)

While the Chiefs may have what it takes to beat the Broncos, can they really overcome this playoff-tested Patriots team, buoyed by Danny Amendola and Edelman and anchored by Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski?

If the answer is unclear, throw the final weight on the scale for coaching in New England's favor. 

Projected winner: New England 

NFC: NFC Championship: Arizona at Carolina, 6:40 p.m. ET (Fox)

Anyone who pretends to predict this matchup with any degree of certainty is fooling himself; these are two incredibly well-matched and talented teams, and the NFC race has been hurdling toward this matchup for most of the season.

Ultimately, Arizona brings a balanced team to the table, but Carolina has been shocking in its talent level. Cam Newton anchors a potent offense that will be bolstered by the return of Jonathan Stewart, according to the Charlotte Observer's Jonathan Jones, while Josh Norman leads a stout defense. 

Can anyone really deny the Panthers what has so obviously been their year? 

Projected winner: Carolina

Super Bowl 50

Sunday, Feb. 7

Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium, 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Cam Newton and Tom Brady. Josh Norman and Malcolm Butler. Rob Gronkowski and Greg Olsen. This is an incredibly satisfying Super Bowl matchup, featuring some of the top talents in the league today. It's a clash pitting the reigning champions against the up-and-coming powerhouse. 

Brady and Belichick have been here many times before, but it's hard to argue that this isn't Newton's year. He can expect to take home both league MVP and Super Bowl MVP honors this year if the cards fall right. 

Projected winner: Carolina