NFL
This is how the Wild Card format works in the NFL: When is it and how many teams play?
The Denver Broncos and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the final teams to book a postseason spot, setting up the start of the NFL Playoffs.
The 2024 NFL regular season came to a close on Sunday, confirming the final two teams in the postseason picture. With wins in Week 18 the Denver Broncos and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured a playoff berth and the fixtures for the Wild Card round are now confirmed.
In the AFC the Kansas City Chiefs had already locked up the No. 1 seed, despite a much-changed team falling to a 38-0 loss to the Broncos in Week 18. In the NFC the Detroit Lions clinched top spot with a win against the Minnesota Vikings. Both the Chiefs and the Lions have a bye for the Wild Card round, they will begin their playoff journey in the Divisional round.
Here’s a closer look at the six ‘Wild Card’ teams in contention for the NFL Playoffs...
How does the NFL Wild Card work?
The National Football League is comprised of two conferences - AFC and NFC - each divided into four divisions. The eight teams that finish with the best win-loss record in each of the eight divisions are declared divisional champions and earn an automatic spot in the postseason.
A total of 14 teams will enter the playoffs, meaning that another six teams (three from each conference) enter as ‘Wild Card’ additions. Once the Divisional winners are excluded, the three teams with the best win-loss record across each conference will qualify as Wild Card teams.
More than one team from each division can qualify via the Wild Card route, but only three from each conference.
What are the NFL Wild Card fixtures?
In each conference seven teams will advance to the playoffs, with the No. 1 seed in each getting a bye to the Divisional round. The remaining six teams will face off in an single-game elimination clash. The No. 2 seed will take on the No. 7 seed; the No. 3 will play No. 6, and so on.
Wild Card teams will be seeded on the basis of their regular season win-loss record. Here’s a look at the Wild Card fixtures for the 2024 NFL season...
NFL Wild Card schedule
AFC Wild Card games
- No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) — BYE
- No. 7 Denver Broncos (10-7) at No. 2 Buffalo Bills (13-4)
- No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens (12-5) -
- No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at No. 4 Houston Texans (10-7)
NFC Wild Card games
- No. 1 Detroit Lions (15-2) — BYE
- No. 7 Green Bay Packers (11-6) at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
- No. 6 Washington Commanders (12-5) at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
- No. 5 Minnesota Vikings (14-3) at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
When is the Wild Card round?
The Wild Card round will run across the weekend of January 11-13, with six games played across Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
On Saturday January 11 the Chargers will take on the Texans (4:30pm ET) and the Steelers will travel to the Ravens (8pm ET).
The following day, Sunday January 12, will see the Broncos at Bills (1pm ET), the Packers at Eagles (4:30pm ET) and the Commanders at Buccaneers (8pm ET). The Wild Card games will conclude on Monday January 13 with the Vikings heading to the Rams (8pm ET).
Beyond that first round of the playoffs, the remaining fixtures will be played across the following weekends. The Chiefs and the Lions will enter the fray for the Divisional round across January 18 - 19, the Conference championships will be contested on Sunday January 26 and the Super Bowl will take place on Sunday, February 9.
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