The NFL playoffs are officially here, and that means it’s time for the exciting Wild Card Weekend! Starting on January 11th, teams from across the league will battle it out for a chance to advance to the next round. With some teams making their playoff debuts and others aiming for history, there is a lot of excitement in the air.
2025 NFL Playoffs Bracket
This year’s playoffs feature an expanded bracket with 14 teams fighting for the championship title. In this format, the top two seeds from each conference, the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, received byes in the first round, meaning they get to sit back and watch the Wild Card games unfold. The matchups for Wild Card Weekend will determine who advances to the Divisional Round and faces off against these top contenders.
2025 NFL Playoffs Schedule
Wild Card Weekend consists of six exciting games spread over three days. Each game is crucial as teams look to prove themselves on the big stage.
- Saturday, January 11th:
- Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans at 3:30 PM CT – CBS and Paramount+
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens at 7:00 PM CT – Amazon Prime
- Sunday, January 12th:
- Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills
- Monday, January 13th:
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings
Wild Card Weekend Matchups
The Wild Card Weekend features an exciting mix of teams. It’s the perfect time to sit down with family and friends, grab some snacks, and cheer for your favorite team as they aim for playoff glory!
The Los Angeles Chargers, a strong Wild Card team, take on the Houston Texans, who won the AFC South. This is a highly anticipated matchup, as both teams have shown they can be formidable opponents.
Plus, the rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens adds extra spice to the weekend. These teams always give it their all, making their games a must-watch.
What Makes Wild Card Weekend Special?
Wild Card Weekend is unique because any team can surprise us. Some teams are debuting in the playoffs, like the Minnesota Vikings and the Denver Broncos, while others like the Kansas City Chiefs are regulars, aiming for their third straight Super Bowl victory!
This weekend is intense because teams who don’t win go home, but the winners move forward, where even bigger challenges await them in the Divisional Round.
Divisional Round Ahead
If you’ve been following the season closely, you know that this year’s playoffs format is a little different, especially with the expanded bracket. The winners from the Wild Card games will face the top seeds, which should lead to some thrilling matchups. The divisional matchups will be set after these games conclude, and fans are eager to see who will battle next!
Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans
Mark your calendars! Super Bowl LIX is scheduled for February 9th in New Orleans, and it promises to be a spectacular event. With teams like the Kansas City Chiefs eyeing a spot in the Super Bowl once again, the journey through the playoffs is more exciting than ever.
| Date | Matchup | Broadcast | Time (CT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 11 | Chargers vs. Texans | CBS, Paramount+ | 3:30 PM |
| January 11 | Steelers vs. Ravens | Amazon Prime | 7:00 PM |
| January 12 | Commanders vs. Buccaneers | Check local listings | Time TBD |
| January 13 | Broncos vs. Bills | Check local listings | Time TBD |
| January 13 | Rams vs. Vikings | Check local listings | Time TBD |
Wild Card Weekend kickstarts the most thrilling time of the year in football, so be sure to catch every game and cheer for your favorite team!
