The 2024 NFL playoff bracket is set after a dramatic final week of the regular season, featuring plenty of newcomers and excitement ahead. The AFC in particular looks loaded, headlined by a Chiefs-Dolphins showdown on Super Wild Card weekend.
Fierce Competition Expected in AFC
With the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] securing the AFC’s #1 seed after a 13-4 campaign, all roads to Super Bowl LVIII seem to run through Arrowhead Stadium. However [[Miami Dolphins|surging Miami]] boasts its own playoff pedigree, while [[Buffalo Bills|AFC East champ Buffalo]] and [[Cincinnati Bengals|defending AFC champion Cincinnati]] loom as difficult potential opponents.
The AFC bracket shapes up as follows:
| Seed | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City Chiefs | 13-4 |
| 2 | Buffalo Bills | 12-5 |
| 3 | Cincinnati Bengals | 11-6 |
| 4 | Miami Dolphins | 10-7 |
| 5 | Los Angeles Chargers | 10-7 |
| 6 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9-7-1 |
| 7 | Houston Texans | 9-8 |
“This AFC bracket is just loaded with talent,” noted NFL analyst Albert Breer. “Any one of those top 4 teams can realistically get hot and make a Super Bowl run.”
Indeed, the Dolphins enter the playoffs scorching hot with 6 straight wins to claim a wild card spot. Third-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is playing the best football of his career, while trade acquisition Bradley Chubb has supercharged the pass rush.
Miami now heads to Kansas City brimming with confidence. “We know it’ll be a hostile environment,” said Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard. “But we’ve got the talent and swagger to go toe-to-toe with anyone.”
Meanwhile Buffalo and Cincinnati both have playoff pedigree and championship aspirations of their own. Josh Allen leads a stacked Bills offense keen to avenge last year’s Divisional Round meltdown. Joe Burrow has the Bengals offense operating on another level as they look to cement themselves among the AFC’s elite.
Even Ben Roethlisberger’s heir apparent Kenny Pickett has the Steelers surging at just the right time. It all sets the stage for a thrilling AFC tournament where the eventual Super Bowl representative will have undoubtedly earned the crown.
Intriguing Matchups Highlight NFC Field
While the AFC features more established contenders, the NFC bracket offers plenty of fresh blood and intriguing matchups.
| Seed | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia Eagles | 14-3 |
| 2 | Minnesota Vikings | 13-4 |
| 3 | San Francisco 49ers | 12-4-1 |
| 4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8-9 |
| 5 | Dallas Cowboys | 12-5 |
| 6 | Detroit Lions | 9-7-1 |
| 7 | Los Angeles Rams | 10-7 |
The Eagles pace the field after securing home-field advantage with the NFC’s best record behind breakout quarterback Jalen Hurts. But veteran Lombardi trophy winners Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady still lurk, while the Cowboys, Vikings and 49ers all feature loaded rosters.
In terms of Super Wild Card weekend, Cowboys-Packers stands out as a legacy showdown. “There’s just so much history between these two old rivals,” noted NFL analyst Peter King. “And with Rodgers and the Cowboys both facing uncertain futures, this game takes on real meaning beyond just advancing.”
Meanwhile Matthew Stafford leads his rebuilt Lions squad against the defending champion Rams. Rookie sensation Brock Purdy guides the formidable 49ers against a struggling Bucs squad. And Kirk Cousins has his most talented Minnesota team yet against a Giants team just happy to be here.
It all sets up a weekend of legacy games and upset potential. The Eagles opted to rest starters and cede the NFC’s #1 seed to the Chiefs, perhaps wary of recent top seeds like Green Bay (2021), New Orleans (2020) and Atlanta (2012) crashing out early. The road to Arizona remains wide open.
Playoff Schedule
Here is the full Super Wild Card schedule, with all times Eastern:
Saturday January 14
| Away | Home | Time | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | Kansas City Chiefs | 4:30PM | NBC/Peacock |
| New York Giants | Minnesota Vikings | 8:15PM | FOX/Prime Video |
Sunday January 15
| Away | Home | Time | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | 1:00PM | CBS/Paramount+ |
| Dallas Cowboys | Green Bay Packers | 4:30PM | FOX/Prime Video |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Jacksonville Jaguars | 8:15PM | NBC/Peacock |
Monday January 16
| Away | Home | Time | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Buffalo Bills | 8:15PM | ABC/ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN+/Hulu |
The Divisional Round follows from January 21-22, before the conference championship games on January 29 determine Super Bowl LVIII participants.
This year’s Super Bowl takes place February 12 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
Tickets In High Demand
With another classic playoff field loaded with tantalizing matchups, Super Bowl tickets are skyrocketing to unprecedented levels.
On ticket reseller StubHub, the average price for this year’s championship tilt has already reached $6,032. That crushes the previous high from 2015, when average prices reached $3,334.
“The volume of sales we’ve seen just since playoff teams locked in this past weekend is incredible,” said Adam Budelli of StubHub. “Fans clearly recognize the level of talent across the board this postseason and want to catch every moment live.”
Hotel rooms in the greater Phoenix area are also booking up fast. Most rooms within 30 miles of the stadium are already reserved for Super Bowl weekend.
“Avid NFL fans have to plan ahead if they want to be here,” said Tim Sharp of Camelback Resorts & Hotels. “The stage is set for an all-time great Super Bowl once this loaded playoff field shakes out a champion.”
The Road Ahead
With tickets selling fast and teams gearing up, the 2024 NFL playoffs are set up to be a classic. In the AFC, Chiefs-Dolphins kicks things off in a spicy offense vs defense showdown. Whoever escapes the AFC gauntlet should be battle-tested for the Super Bowl.
Over in the NFC intrigue abounds with upstart teams like Minnesota, Dallas and San Francisco looking to cement contender status. And the Eagles will be rested and ready after securing home-field advantage for the NFC side of the bracket.
So get your popcorn ready and clear your weekend schedules NFL fans. With this level of talent, exciting upsets and classic showdowns could be on tap all throughout January. The only guarantee is that a worthy champion will emerge from one of the all-time great playoff fields ever assembled.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
