Honestly, if you looked at the NFL playoff 2025 bracket back in August, you probably would’ve laughed. The Seattle Seahawks as a 1-seed? Bo Nix leading a top-ranked Denver Broncos squad? It sounds like a Madden simulation gone off the rails. But here we are. Wild Card weekend just wrapped up, and it was absolute chaos. Twelve fourth-quarter lead changes in the first four games alone. My nerves are shot, and if you’re a fan of the Eagles or Jaguars, yours probably are too.
The bracket is tightening. We are down to the elite eight.
People always mess up how the NFL re-seeding works. It isn't a fixed bracket like March Madness. The NFL is fluid. The highest remaining seeds always host the lowest remaining seeds. This is why the No. 6 Buffalo Bills are heading to Denver while the No. 5 Houston Texans are trekking to Foxborough. It's about reward for regular-season excellence, or at least that’s the theory.
The AFC Side: New Blood vs. Old Dynasty
The AFC is weird this year. No Kansas City Chiefs. Let that sink in. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are watching from the couch after a 6-11 season that nobody saw coming. Instead, we have the Denver Broncos sitting pretty with a first-round bye.
Denver's Resurgence
Bo Nix has been the story. People called him a reach in the draft, but a 14-3 record speaks for itself. They get to host the Buffalo Bills this Saturday, January 17, at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Bills just narrowly escaped Jacksonville with a 27-24 win thanks to a late "Tush Push" play. Josh Allen is playing like a man possessed, but Mile High in January is a different beast entirely.
The Texans are Terrifying
Then you have the Houston Texans. They didn't just beat the Steelers; they dismantled them 30-6. It was uncomfortable to watch at times. DeMeco Ryans has that defense playing at a level that should make Drake Maye and the New England Patriots very nervous.
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The Patriots took care of business against the Chargers, winning 16-3 in a game that felt like it belonged in 1974. Heavy defense. Ground and pound. If you like high-scoring shootouts, that wasn't it. But New England is the 2-seed for a reason. They don't beat themselves.
The NFC Side: The West Still Rules
Over in the NFC, the power remains out West. The Seattle Seahawks earned the top seed for the first time since 2014. It’s been a long decade for the 12s, but Mike Macdonald has turned that defense into a brick wall.
San Francisco's Survival
The 49ers are the 6-seed, but don't let that fool you. They just went into Philly and knocked off the defending NFC champion Eagles 23-19. It was a physical, nasty game that left both teams bruised. Now, the Niners have to fly to Seattle for a Saturday night showdown at 8 p.m. ET. Division rivals in the playoffs? Yes, please.
Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears
Can we talk about Chicago for a second? The Bears won the NFC North. Caleb Williams threw for 31 points to beat the Packers 31-27 in the Wild Card round. It was a massive comeback. At one point, they were down 21-9 in the third quarter. Williams stayed cool, found D.J. Moore for a late score, and Soldier Field nearly imploded from the noise.
Next up for them: The Los Angeles Rams.
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The Rams beat the Panthers 34-31 in a game that came down to the final seconds. Sean McVay somehow always finds a way to keep this team in the hunt. They travel to Chicago for a Sunday night game on January 18. If the weather holds true to Chicago form, that's going to be a cold, miserable night for a dome team from L.A.
Examining the NFL Playoff 2025 Bracket Schedule
If you're planning your weekend, here is the official lineup for the Divisional Round. No more guessing.
Saturday, January 17
- AFC: (6) Buffalo Bills at (1) Denver Broncos – 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS/Paramount+)
- NFC: (6) San Francisco 49ers at (1) Seattle Seahawks – 8 p.m. ET (FOX)
Sunday, January 18
- AFC: (5) Houston Texans at (2) New England Patriots – 3 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC)
- NFC: (5) Los Angeles Rams at (2) Chicago Bears – 6:40 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
The winners move on to the Conference Championships on January 25. The ultimate goal? Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on February 8.
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What the Experts are Actually Watching
There's a lot of talk about quarterbacks, but the real advantage in this NFL playoff 2025 bracket is the turnover margin. Look at the Texans. They won their Wild Card game because they didn't turn the ball over once and forced three from the Steelers.
Also, watch the injury reports for the 49ers. They looked gassed at the end of the Eagles game. Playing a rested Seahawks team in that stadium is a nightmare scenario if your starters are at 80%.
Another thing: the "bye week rust" is a real debate. The Broncos and Seahawks haven't played a meaningful snap in two weeks. Sometimes that rest is great. Sometimes you come out flat and get punched in the mouth by a team like Buffalo or San Francisco that's already in "win or go home" mode.
Actionable Steps for the Postseason
If you're following the rest of this run, here is how to stay ahead of the curve.
- Check the re-seeding rules. Don't assume the winner of Game A plays the winner of Game B. If the 6-seed Bills beat the 1-seed Broncos, the Bills automatically play the lowest remaining seed in the next round.
- Monitor the weather in Denver and Chicago. We are looking at potential snow and freezing temps for both Sunday games. This favors the run game and punishes high-flying offenses.
- Validate your sources. Stick to official NFL communications or trusted outlets like CBS Sports and NBC for kickoff changes. Flexible scheduling is less common in the playoffs, but times can shift for TV windows.
- Watch the line movement. Vegas currently has the Seahawks as favorites, but the gap is closing as more people put money on the 49ers' experience.
The path to Super Bowl LX is through some of the toughest environments in football. Whether it's the altitude in Denver or the noise in Seattle, the home-field advantage for the top seeds is massive this year.