NFL Playoffs 2024: Predictions for AFC, NFC Bracket and Seeds
The NFL's regular season is nearly complete.
Before it wraps this weekend, though, playoff spots and division crowns will be won and lost.
While the top seeds in both conferences are no longer up for grabs, just about everything else is. Let's peek ahead, then, with a quick scan of the playoff schedule and predictions for how the postseason brackets will take shape in each conference.
Playoff Schedule
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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
Projected AFC Playoff Bracket
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No. 1: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens, who just added Dalvin Cook to their backfield, will have nothing at stake when they host the Steelers on Saturday, as they already clinched this spot.
No. 2: Buffalo Bills
The Bills need a road win over the Dolphins to take the AFC East crown and the No. 2 seed, but they can and will get it done. They've gone 5-1 since Joe Brady took over as interim offensive coordinator, showing an ability to win with offense, defense or both.
No. 3: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs, who finish with a road game against the Chargers, are locked into this spot.
No. 4: Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is fighting a shoulder injury that sidelined him in Week 17, but the Jags still have enough to topple the Titans on the road and claim the AFC South title as a result.
No. 5: Cleveland Browns
The Browns, who had four different quarterbacks make multiple starts this season, already clinched the No. 5 seed. A fifth quarterback, Jeff Driskel, will start Sunday's meaningless game in Cincinnati.
No. 6: Miami Dolphins
If the Dolphins lose to the Bills like we project, they'll slide all the way down to the No. 6 spot. A Week 14 home loss to the Titans could haunt this team for a while.
No. 7: Houston Texans
The Texans face the Colts on Saturday in a win-and-in matchup, and clearly we think Houston is winning. Look for quarterback C.J. Stroud to put the finishing touches on a phenomenal freshman season.
Projected NFC Playoff Bracket
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No. 1: San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers, who host the Rams on Sunday, already clinched the No. 1 seed and the first-round bye that comes along with it.
No. 2: Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys can (and will) secure the No. 2 seed and the NFC East title with a win over the Commanders, whom they throttled by 35 points on Thanksgiving.
No. 3: Detroit Lions
The Lions, who finish with a home game against the Vikings, can only climb into the No. 2 seed with losses by both the Cowboys and Eagles, and that's not happening.
No. 4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The NFC South and No. 4 seed will belong to the Buccaneers as soon as they take care of the two-win Panthers on Sunday.
No. 5: Philadelphia Eagles
Due to their inexplicable loss to the Cardinals last week, the Eagles, who play at the Giants Sunday, now need both a win and a Cowboys loss to win their division and climb to No. 2.
No. 6: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams, who, like the 49ers, plan to sit plenty of regulars Sunday—having already clinched a berth—can claim this seed with either a win (more likely) or a Packers loss to the Bears (less likely).
No. 7: Green Bay Packers
The Packers won't have an easy time with a Bears team that has won four of its last five, but Jordan Love and Co. will find a way to make it happen.
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