NFL Playoff Schedule 2024: Bracket Dates and Updated AFC, NFC Scenarios

Week 18 of the NFL season should be one to remember.

By the time the slate is finished, five postseason bids and four division crowns will be handed out.

There won't be much time to celebrate these triumphs, though, as the playoffs will be here in a hurry.

Playoff Schedule

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 31: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams attempts a pass during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrence/Getty Images)

Wild-Card Round

Saturday, Jan. 13

Games at 4:30 p.m. ET and 8:15 p.m. ET

Sunday, Jan. 14

Games at 1 p.m. ET, 4:30 p.m. ET and 8:15 p.m. ET

Monday, Jan. 15

Game at 8:15 p.m. ET

Divisional Round

Saturday, Jan. 20

Game times TBD

Sunday, Jan. 21

Game times TBD

Conference Championships

Sunday, Jan. 28

AFC Championship at 3 p.m. ET

NFC Championship at 6:30 p.m. ET

Super Bowl LVIII

Sunday, Feb. 11

AFC Champion vs. NFC Champion at 6:30 p.m. ET

Week 18 Scenarios

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HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 17: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans throws the ball during a football game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

The San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens can breathe easy having locked up the No. 1 seeds in their respective conferences.

Just about everyone else is in for a potentially exhausting weekend with make-or-break stipulations attached to their results.

Speaking of exhausting, that's the best way to describe the many clinching scenarios on the line in Week 18.

NFL Stock Watch

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 31: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass during the first half of a game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)

Stock Up: Buffalo Bills

The Bills haven't secured a playoff spot just yet, but things are so bunched up that they also have a shot at both the AFC East crown and the conference's No. 2 seed.

If they snag a big-dance ticket, expect to hear them labelled early and often as the team no one wants to face.

They are one of only three teams—along with the Ravens and Browns—holding a winning streak spanning at least four games. They're one of five clubs with a positive point differential in triple digits (plus-133, fourth overall). They are top-five in scoring (26.9 points per game, tied for fifth) and points allowed (18.6 per game, fourth).

They've had a few wobbly moments, but if they find their way into the playoffs, they could be a nightmare matchup for anyone.

Stock Down: Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles had complete control of the NFC—if not the Super Bowl race—until they didn't.

Their 10-1 start somehow feels like a distant memory, as they've managed just a single victory over their four games since. And even that was a single-score triumph over a Giants team with just five wins on the ledger.

Philly was clowned by San Francisco in Week 13 (42-19) and hardly looked any better against Dallas the next time out (33-13). The Eagles also fell to a Seahawks team sitting outside of the current playoff picture and most recently suffered an inexcusable defeat to the four-win Cardinals, who outscored the Eagles 29-10 in the second half of their 35-31 victory.

Philadelphia has been falling apart on both sides of the ball, and the clock is obviously ticking to get these issues sorted out. The Eagles at least locked up a playoff berth already, but the defending NFC champs could have a much shorter postseason run if they can't correct their mistakes quickly.