NFL playoff bracket 2025: Divisional round matchups, schedule set for AFC, NFC

Let the games begin…again.

As the dust starts to settle on a wild-card round like few others, eight sides will find themselves bandaged, bruised, and three games away from immortality. The Lombardi Trophy beckons off in the distance, its shimmer growing all the more noticeable to those hoping to hoist it.

The gauntlet is unceasing, however. The divisional round is next up on the docket, a four-game slate set to feature Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Saquon Barkley, among other standouts.

Only four sides — two from the AFC, two from the NFC — can emerge through the mire and give themselves a chance at taking home a conference title. Get your popcorn ready.

With that, here’s a complete look at the NFL playoff bracket and the divisional schedule.

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NFL playoff bracket 2025

NFL divisional matchups 2025

AFC

Kansas City Chiefs (1) vs. Houston Texans (4)

The Chiefs and Texans battled wits with one another in Week 16. They’re set to rekindle their rivalry on Saturday afternoon, albeit in entirely different circumstances — a spot in the AFC championship game is on the line, after all. Kansas City claimed a wire-to-wire 27-19 win over its AFC South foe at Arrowhead earlier in the year, picking off C.J. Stroud twice in the process. Although Stroud looked far more assured in the second half of the Texans’ wild card win, the Chiefs — seeking that much-vaunted third Super Bowl title in as many years — are a step-up. To be the best, you have to beat the best. Can Houston slay the king of all dragons? Only time will tell.

Buffalo Bills (2) vs. Baltimore Ravens (3)

The Bills and Ravens are set to dock horns in a battle of the league’s two foremost MVP candidates, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Jackson looks to have the advantage in MVP candidacy, having been named first-team All-Pro. In the court of public opinion, though, the competition remains as close as ever. Both Jackson and Allen impressed in their postseason openers, each tallying two touchdowns and zero turnovers to lead their sides to commanding victories. Baltimore has the head-to-head advantage, downing Buffalo, 35-10, back in Week 4, but this game will be held at Highmark Stadium, one of the NFL’s most raucous environments.

NFC

Philadelphia Eagles (2) vs. Rams (4) or Vikings (5)

The Eagles looked vulnerable in their wild-card matchup, pulling out a 22-10 win over Green Bay. However, the defense was dominant, and that will be needed against either of these high-end offenses. Philadelphia dominated the Rams in Week 11 (37-20) and didn’t play the Vikings this year, but either way, its offense will need to improve to make it to the NFC championship game.

Detroit Lions (1) vs. Washington Commanders (6)

The Commanders keep finding a way, but now they’ll be put to the ultimate test against another squad with a “team-of-destiny” vibe. The Lions have proven nearly unbeatable this year, losing two games by a combined 10 points. If there is one saving grace for Washington, it’s that Detroit has struggled in recent seasons against elite, mobile QBs. Perhaps Jayden Daniels has at least one more miracle up his sleeve in this rematch of the 1992 NFC championship game. 

NFL divisional round TV schedule

Here is the complete schedule for the divisional round:

Saturday, Jan. 18

Sunday, Jan. 19

NFL playoff schedule 2025

Wild-card round

Saturday, January 11

Sunday, January 12

Monday, January 13

Divisional Round

Saturday, Jan. 18

Sunday, January 19

Championship Round

Sunday, January 26

Super Bowl

Sunday, February 9

NFL playoff seeds 2025

AFC

NFC