The NFC and AFC representatives in the 2024 NFL Playoffs have been determined and will compete for the Lombardi Trophy in Las Vegas at the Caesar's Superdome on February 9, with the goal of etching their place in history as Super Bowl champions.
Up first is the Wild Card round.
Who will clash for the right to move on and when and where can fans catch the action?
Find out with this preview.
Key Playoff Dates
Wildcard Round
Dates: January 11, 12, and 13
Divisional Round
Dates: January 18 and 19
Conference Championship
Date: January 26
Super Bowl LIX
Date: February 9
Wildcard Round Match-Ups
Saturday, Jan. 11
(5) Los Angeles Chargers at (4) Houston Texans (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
(6) Pittsburgh Steelers at (3) Baltimore Ravens (8 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Sunday, Jan. 12
(7) Denver Broncos at (2) Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
(7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Philadelphia Eagles (4:30 p.m. ET, Fox)
(6) Washington Commanders at (3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8 p.m. ET, NBC)
Monday, Jan. 13
(5) Minnesota Vikings at (4) Los Angeles Rams (8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC; ManningCast on ESPN2)
A Week One Rematch
Philadelphia and Green Bay kicked off their 2024 seasons in Brazil with a Week 1 showdown. The Eagles earned the hard-fought win in Brazil, 34-29.
In that match-up, Saquon Barkley set the stage for the historic season he would have in his new threads, carrying 24 times for 109 yards, two rushing touchdowns, and a receiving score.
Barkley would fuel a rushing attack that led the league with 187.3 yards per game and saw him eclipse 2,000 yards. He likely would have broken Erick Dickerson's single-season rushing record but head coach Nick Siriani opted to sit him out in Week 18 rather than risking injury.
Speaking of injury, Jordan Love left that opening game as Packers fans held their collective breath. The franchise QB returned in Week 4 and led Green Bay back to the postseason. While the offensive has not been as dynamic as in years past, the defense helped carry the load and ensured three teams from the NFC North would vie for the Lombardi Trophy in the playoffs.
The Eagles are the better team, with the top-ranked defense in the NFL. The key for the Packers will be to attempt to limit the run game and force Jalen Hurts to throw the ball. Ranked eighth against the run, the Packers will have the opportunity to implement that game plan.
How the offense fares against an extraordinary defense will ultimately determine whether Green Bay can pull off what would be a considerable upset and turn the playoff bracket upside down.
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