NFL Playoff Bracket 2018: Postseason Viewing Info, Odds and Matchup Scenarios

Twelve NFL teams have their sights set on the Lombardi Trophy, but four franchises aren't going to make it through the weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, the 2018 NFL playoffs will begin with the Wild Card Round. The opening slate of games features six teams that didn't reach the postseason last year, including one organization that is ending a 17-year playoff drought.

If you've been searching for kickoff times, TV listings, odds for each matchup and brief previews, you've come to the perfect place.

NFL Playoff Bracket

Wild-Card Schedule and Point Spreads

Saturday, Jan. 6, 4:20 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC): No. 5 Tennessee Titans at No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs (-9)

Saturday, Jan. 6, 8:15 p.m. ET (NBC): No. 6 Atlanta Falcons at No. 3 Los Angeles Rams (-6.5)

Sunday, Jan. 7, 1:05 p.m. ET (CBS): No. 6 Buffalo Bills at No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars (-9)

Sunday, Jan. 7, 4:40 p.m. ET (Fox): No. 5 Carolina Panthers at No. 4 New Orleans Saints (-7)

Spreads according to OddsShark.

Tennessee at Kansas City

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Do you hear that loud beeping outside? No, it's not a garbage truck in reverse; it's Tennessee backing into the playoffs.

Though the Titans managed to slide into the postseason by defeating Jacksonville in Week 17, the 15-10 victory was their only win from the final four regular-season weeks.

Plus, quarterback Marcus Mariota has a paltry 69.1 quarterback rating on the road, where he's thrown five touchdowns to 11 interceptions. The Titans are just 3-5 away from Nashville.

Kansas City encountered a rough stretch midway through the campaign, but the AFC West champs ended the year on a four-game winning streak. The Chiefs, who are looking for their first postseason victory at Arrowhead Stadium since 1994, are clear favorites.

The other AFC matchup will determine where the winner of this matchup will travel for the second round. Should the Jaguars defend home field, the Chiefs or Titans will face the New England Patriots. But if the Bills pull the upset, the winner in Kansas City will challenge the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Atlanta at Los Angeles

The defending NFC champions will fly across the country to take on the breakout team of 2017.

Under the direction of first-year head coach Sean McVay, Los Angeles ascended from the worst offense in the NFL to the most prolific. The Rams led the league with 29.9 points per game—more than double last season's average of 14.0—and ranked 10th in total offense.

Atlanta presents a tough matchup, though. The Falcons surrendered just 318.4 yards and 19.7 points on average, which were ninth and eighth in the NFL, respectively.

And while the offense felt the loss of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, Atlanta still moved the ball relatively consistently this season. The troubles seemed to flare up in the red zone, where the offense ranked 23rd in touchdown percentage, per TeamRankings.

Whichever defense can limit the opposition to field goals will earn a critical advantage Saturday night.

The Minnesota Vikings would be the divisional-round opponent for the Rams, but the Falcons would take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Buffalo at Jacksonville

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Prior to the 2017 season, you wouldn't have been laughed at if you predicted the Bills making the playoffs. And to think they'd be taking on the AFC South champion Jaguars seemed flat-out absurd.

Nevertheless, here we are. Buffalo is in the postseason for the first time since the 1999 season, which also happens to be the last campaign Jacksonville hosted a playoff game.

The Bills could be missing a key piece, though. Star running back LeSean McCoy will be a game-time decision, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. If McCoy is unable to play, Buffalo will turn to Marcus Murphy as the featured back against the No. 2 defense in the NFL.

No, that doesn't necessarily doom the Bills. But it sure doesn't help.

Jacksonville will rely on its outstanding pass rush and playmaking secondary to shut down Tyrod Taylor through the air. The Jags ended the season with the NFL's second-most sacks (55) and interceptions (21) as well as the most defensive touchdowns (seven).

If Buffalo can overcome that stingy defense, a third season meeting with the Patriots awaits. Otherwise, the Jags would head to Pittsburgh, where they earned a 30-9 victory in October.

Carolina at New Orleans

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

New Orleans defeated Carolina twice in the regular season, but the final bout between the NFC South rivals holds more importance.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for 489 yards and four scores during those two matchups, clearly outperforming his counterpart. Cam Newton managed just 350 yards with three total touchdowns and three picks against New Orleans.

Though New Orleans has superior players around Brees, Newton's win-loss splits are telling. He accounted for 22 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 11 victories while collecting just six scores and tossing 12 picks in five losses.

For the Panthers to spring the upset, Newton needs a little help from the defense—the Saints scored at least 31 points in both previous meetings—and must carry the scoring attack.

Pending the result in Los Angeles, the winner will travel to either Philadelphia or Minnesota. A Los Angeles win sends the Panthers or Saints to Philly, while an Atlanta triumph leads to the Vikings hosting the NFC South club that emerges victorious in New Orleans.

Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.