You think you know how the postseason went, right? Most fans remember the confetti, but they forget the absolute chaos that happened before the Philadelphia Eagles actually hoisted that trophy in New Orleans. If you look back at the nfl 2024 playoff schedule, it wasn't just a march to the finish line. It was a demolition derby.
The Philadelphia Eagles didn't just win; they dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in Super Bowl LIX. Honestly, it felt like the end of an era for Mahomes and company, even though they fought like hell to get there. But the road to that February night in the Caesars Superdome was paved with some of the weirdest scores and wildest upsets we've seen in years.
The Wild Card Weekend That Broke the Brackets
Everything kicked off on January 11, 2025. People were high on the Chargers. They had the momentum. Then they ran into a buzzsaw in Houston. The Texans didn't just win; they embarrassed them 32–12. C.J. Stroud looked like a ten-year vet while Justin Herbert was left wondering what happened to his protection.
That same Saturday night, the Baltimore Ravens took care of the Steelers 28–14. It was typical AFC North football. Ugly. Brutal. Cold. Derrick Henry basically put the team on his back with a 44-yard dagger late in the game to seal it.
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Sunday brought the heavy hitters. The Buffalo Bills made quick work of the Denver Broncos, winning 31–7. Meanwhile, the Eagles started their dominant run by kicking the Green Bay Packers out of the postseason with a 22–10 victory. But the real shocker? The Washington Commanders went into Tampa and sent the Buccaneers packing in a 23–20 nail-biter. Nobody had the Commanders going deep, yet there they were, moving on.
The Monday night finale was a blowout. The Rams crushed the Vikings 27–9. Minnesota just couldn't move the sticks. It was a quiet end to a season that had a lot of promise for the North.
Why the Divisional Round Changed Everything
By the time the Divisional Round hit on January 18, the air felt different. This is where the nfl 2024 playoff schedule usually separates the contenders from the pretenders.
The Kansas City Chiefs, coming off their bye, had to sweat out a 23–14 win against those pesky Texans. It wasn't pretty. Mahomes looked frustrated, but a win is a win in January. Then, in the biggest upset of the weekend, the Washington Commanders absolutely shredded the Detroit Lions 45–31. Remember, the Lions were the 1-seed. They had home-field advantage. The Ford Field crowd was deafening, and yet Washington just kept scoring.
Sunday's games were heart-stoppers:
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- Philadelphia Eagles 28, Los Angeles Rams 22: The Eagles almost let this one slip away, but their defense stood tall in the red zone during the final two minutes.
- Buffalo Bills 27, Baltimore Ravens 25: This was arguably the game of the year. Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson. It came down to a field goal, and Buffalo finally got over the hump against a top-tier AFC rival.
Championship Sunday: The Blowout and the Battle
January 26, 2025. This was the day the Eagles became the "Team of Destiny." They didn't just beat Washington in the NFC Championship; they erased them. 55–23. It was a bloodbath. Lincoln Financial Field was a riot of green and silver.
Over in the AFC, the Chiefs proved why they are the standard. The Bills played them tough—they always do—but Kansas City walked away with a 32–29 victory. It set up the rematch everyone wanted: Eagles vs. Chiefs.
Super Bowl LIX: A New King in New Orleans
When February 9 rolled around, the narrative was all about the Chiefs' "three-peat." They wanted that third straight ring. The Eagles had other plans.
Philadelphia’s 40–22 win was a statement. They led almost the entire game. Jalen Hurts was surgical. The Eagles' pass rush made Mahomes' life a living nightmare, and by the fourth quarter, the outcome wasn't even in doubt. It was the second Super Bowl title in Eagles history and a bitter pill for a Chiefs kingdom that thought they were invincible.
What to Do With This Info Now
If you're looking back at these results to prep for the 2025-26 season or just to settle a bet, keep these nuances in mind. The "experts" missed on Washington. They missed on the Lions. Postseason football is about who peaks in January, not who looks best in October.
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- Check the 2025 Standings: Since we are currently in January 2026, the new playoff cycle is already underway. Teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos have secured top seeds this time around.
- Watch the Injury Reports: Last year, Detroit's secondary crumbled at the worst time. Always track the "Questionable" tags leading into the Divisional rounds.
- Betting Trends: Home field mattered for Philly, but it meant nothing for Detroit in 2024. Don't overvalue the stadium; value the quarterback's recent completion percentage under pressure.
The 2024 season proved that the gap between the 1-seed and the 6-seed is smaller than it's ever been.