NFL Playoff Schedule: Wild-Card Weekend Games to Kick Off Postseason Action

Jan. 11, 2025, 6:30 p.m. Sports

NFL Playoff Schedule: Wild-Card Weekend Games to Kick Off Postseason Action

As the regular season comes to a close, football fans across the country are gearing up for the excitement of the NFL playoffs. The postseason action officially kicks off with Wild-Card Weekend, where teams that have secured a playoff spot battle it out for a chance to advance to the next round. The Wild-Card Weekend games are always filled with intensity and unpredictability, as teams fight to keep their Super Bowl dreams alive. Let’s take a closer look at the matchups and schedule for this year’s Wild-Card Weekend games.

The Wild-Card Weekend typically features a total of four games, with two games on both Saturday and Sunday. The matchups are decided based on the seeding of the teams in each conference, with the top two division winners in each conference earning a bye week and automatic entry into the Divisional Round. This year, the Wild-Card Weekend games are set to take place on January 8th and 9th, with two games scheduled for each day.

On Saturday, January 8th, the action kicks off with the AFC matchups. The first game of the day will feature the #4 seed hosting the #5 seed in the AFC. The second game will see the #3 seed take on the #6 seed in another exciting showdown. The winners of these games will advance to the Divisional Round to face off against the top two seeds in the AFC.

On Sunday, January 9th, the NFC takes center stage with their Wild-Card matchups. Similarly to the AFC, the #4 seed will face the #5 seed in the first game, while the #3 seed will battle the #6 seed in the second game. The victors of these games will move on to face the top two seeds in the NFC in the Divisional Round.

One of the key factors that make Wild-Card Weekend games so intriguing is the “win or go home” mentality that each team must adopt. With their seasons on the line, teams leave it all on the field in pursuit of advancing to the next round. This pressure often leads to thrilling moments, unexpected upsets, and memorable performances that leave fans on the edge of their seats.

In recent years, Wild-Card Weekend has produced some classic playoff moments that have gone down in NFL history. From last-second game-winning drives to underdog teams knocking off top-seeded opponents, anything can happen in the high-stakes environment of playoff football. The Wild-Card round serves as a reminder that in the NFL, every team has a chance to make a run towards the Super Bowl, regardless of their regular-season record.

As fans eagerly await the start of Wild-Card Weekend, speculation and anticipation are at an all-time high. The matchups and storylines for this year’s games are sure to captivate audiences across the country. Will a lower-seeded team pull off a shocking upset? Can a favorite team live up to expectations and advance to the next round? These questions will be answered over the course of Wild-Card Weekend, as the postseason drama unfolds.

So, football fans, mark your calendars and prepare for a weekend filled with thrilling NFL action. Wild-Card Weekend is just the beginning of the playoff journey, but it sets the stage for the excitement and drama that will unfold in the coming weeks. From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, the Wild-Card games will undoubtedly provide plenty of excitement and memorable moments for fans to enjoy. Get ready to witness the intensity and passion of postseason football as the NFL playoffs get underway.