NFL Analysis
1/5/25
5 min read
Finalized 2024 NFL Playoff Bracket Following Week 18: Which Teams Are In?
The NFL playoff picture was almost wrapped up heading into NFL Week 18, but the seeding and matchups were solidified after some key matchups on the final weekend of the 2024 regular season.
While the Kansas City Chiefs secured the No. 1 seed with the rest of the AFC playoff picture pretty much locked up, there were significant implications for the NFC in Week 18. The biggest game of the week between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions determines the No. 1 seed, while there was significant movement in the wild-card seeding.
AFC First-Round Matchups
7. Denver at 2. Buffalo
6. Pittsburgh at 3. Baltimore
5. Los Angeles at 4. Houston
Bye: Kansas City
AFC Playoff Field
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2, 1st West)
Playoff momentum: The Kansas City Chiefs opted to rest their starters for Week 18. Will that hurt a team with Super Bowl experience, or will they be fresh enough to dominate the rest of the AFC?
Wild Card Opponent: Bye
2. Buffalo Bills (13-4, 1st East)
Playoff momentum: Starters sat for the Buffalo Bills as well, but before Sunday's game, Josh Allen had this team firing on all cylinders to look like a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Wild Card Opponent: Denver
3. Baltimore Ravens (12-5, 1st North)
Playoff momentum: Lamar Jackson is making NFL history and playing at an MVP level while having the best supporting cast around him of his career. Can he finally get over the hump and take the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl?
Wild Card Opponent: Pittsburgh
4. Houston Texans (10-7, 1st South)
Playoff momentum: The return of Nico Collins halfway through the season was a huge boost to Houston's offense, but injuries to Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell have left the Houston Texans with few other answers. It will take some significant help from the defense for Houston to make much of a run.
Wild Card Opponent: Los Angeles
5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6, 2nd West)
Playoff momentum: Jim Harbaugh has completely turned around the Los Angeles Chargers identity in his first year as their head coach. However, this is still a flawed team that will need some things to break their way to make a playoff run.
Wild Card Opponent: Houston
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7, 2nd North)
Playoff momentum: There might not be another playoff team limping to the postseason more than the Pittsburgh Steelers. The offense is struggling to find any kind of consistency, and the defensive secondary is getting gashed. That's a recipe for disaster in the playoffs.
Wild Card Opponent: Baltimore
7. Denver Broncos (10-7, 3rd West)
Playoff momentum: Bo Nix has had a terrific rookie season and finished the year with a four-TD performance against Kansas City's backups. Still, the Denver Broncos will need to lean heavily on their defense to pull off a major upset in the wild card round.
Wild Card Opponent: Buffalo
NFc First-Round Matchups
7. Green Bay at 2. Philadelphia
6. Washington at 3. Tampa Bay
5. Minnesota at 4. Los Angeles
Bye: Detroit
NFC Playoff Field
1. Detroit Lions (14-2, 1st North)
Playoff momentum: Injuries have obliterated the Detroit Lions' defense, but the return of Alex Anzalone is a much-needed boost ahead of the playoffs. Now the question is whether they have enough pass rush to avoid having to win shootouts to make a deep playoff run.
Wild Card Opponent: Bye/Los Angeles
2. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3, 1st East)
Playoff momentum: Even if they didn't get the first-round bye, the Philadelphia Eagles might end up being the team to beat in the NFC. The offense had a balanced attack, and Vic Fangio had the defense firing on all cylinders. Plus, they'll be rested and fresh once the playoffs begin.
Wild Card Opponent: Green Bay
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7, 1st South)
Playoff momentum: A dud of a performance against the New Orleans Saints should have Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans concerned. Baker Mayfield is playing lights out this year, but the performances are too inconsistent for them heading into the postseason.
Wild Card Opponent: Washington
4. Los Angeles Rams (10-7, 1st West)
Playoff momentum: After so many early-season injuries, the Los Angeles Rams have found their identity in the second half of this year. A high-powered offense and an ascending young defense could make the Rams a sneaky contender.
Wild Card Opponent: Minnesota/Detroit
5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2, 2nd North)
Playoff momentum: It seems unfair that the hottest team in the NFL doesn't even get a home game in the wild-card round, pending Sunday night's game against Detroit. But Kevin O'Connell has this Minnesota Vikings team believing that they have what it takes to be a Super Bowl contender.
Wild Card Opponent: Los Angeles/Bye
6. Washington Commanders (12-5, 2nd East)
Playoff momentum: They haven't looked as unbeatable in the second half of the season, but Jayden Daniels' dual-threat ability will make the Washington Commanders a tough out in any matchup, even if the defense isn't a top-tier unit.
Wild Card Opponent: Tampa Bay
7. Green Bay Packers (11-6, 3rd North)
Playoff momentum: Injuries to Christian Watson and Jordan Love in what was ultimately a meaningless game against the Bears should have Green Bay Packers fans worried about this team's playoff trajectory, even with how well they've played at times.
Wild Card Opponent: Philadelphia
