The 2021 NFL playoffs begin on Jan. 9 and 10 with an expanded wild-card round featuring six total games rather than the usual four. An additional seed in each conference accounts for that change.There are two contests between divisionrivals in store (Steelers vs. Browns, Seahawks vs. Rams) and one playoff rematch from last year (Titans vs. Ravens). The familiarity between those teams should intensify what is already a high-stakes weekend and add a mind-game component for coaching staffs to deal with.Several teams are in much better positions than to which they areaccustomed. The Bills are
Phil Rizzuto Jersey coming off their best regular season since 1991, while the Browns are in the postseason for the first time since 2002. Those fan bases are ecstatic about the performances they have seen so far this campaign, but they might be nervous about whether their squads will play at their best under pre sure.MORE: There are just two first-round byes this year, earned by the Chiefs and Packers for posting the best records in their respective conferences. They will maintain home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.Below is a comprehensive look at the NFL playoff picture, includingwild-card playoff matchups, a TV schedule for the opening round of the postseason and a list of AFC and NFC seeds.NFL playoff bracket 2021 AFC1. Kansas City Chiefs (bye)2. Buffalo Billsvs. 7. Indianapolis Colts3. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. 6. Cleveland Browns4. Tenne see Titans vs. 5.
Paul O'Neill Jersey Baltimore RavensNFC1. Green Bay Packers(bye)2. New Orleans Saints vs. 7. Chicago Bears3. Seattle Seahawks vs. 6. Los Angeles Rams4. Washington Football Team vs. 5. Tampa Bay BuccaneersNFL wild-card matchupsAFC The referenced media source is mi sing and needs to be re-embedded.2. Buffalo Bills (13-3) vs. 7. Indianapolis Colts (11-5)The Bills rolled through the regular season behind the potent play of quarterback Josh Allen and offseason acquisition Stefon Diggs, embarra sing the Dolphins in Week 17 forgood measure to knock their divisional foeout of playoff contention. The Colts, meanwhile, had an AFC South title ripped away when the Titans rallied late to beat the Texans. What would have been a No. 4 seed is now No. 7 and the toughest matchup on the board.3. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) vs. 6. Cleveland Browns (11-5)The Steelers fell apart down the stretch, losing four of their final five games after starting 11-0. Ugly defeats to Washington and Cincinnati, as well as an unnece sarily close win over a depleted Baltimore group, make them seemvulnerable against a Browns franchise that's finally back in the playoffs. That said, the experience of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and a strong defense that didn'tallow 30 points in any game this year could make them a tough out at home. Don't a sume Pittsburgh is dead, even if many signs point to a quick exit.4. Tenne see Titans (11-5) vs. 5. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)The Titans knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs last year and then backed up that showing with . They're the favorites this time. Can Lamar Jackson, an underdog just a year after being named MVP,push asidecritics with the first quality postseason performance of his career? His narrative will be greatly influenced by what happens Sunday afternoon.NFC 2. New Orleans Saints (12-4) vs. 7. Chicago Bears (8-8)The Bears limped into the playoffs with an underwhelming offense led by MitchellTrubisky, who
Babe Ruth Jersey in his fourth NFL season was benched for Nick Foles before being reinstated in Week 12. As most Chicago teams over the years have required, Matt Nagy's squad will need an elite defensive effort to advance. If Khalil Mack and Co. can lift what was a rather disappointing regular-season pa s rush relative to lofty expectations, perhaps they can pre sure a declining Drew Brees into enough mistakes to keep things close.3. Seattle Seahawks (12-4) vs. 6. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)These teams split their two matchups this season, with the Seahawks winning the second one 20-9 on Dec. 27. Questions about Rams quarterback Jared Goff's health will be front and center leading up to Round 3 between the NFC West organizations; he mi sed Week 17 after undergoing thumb surgery. If Goff can't go, then it will likely beJohn Wolford under center against Ru sell Wilson.4. Washington Football Team (7-9) vs. 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5)It seems as if every few years, an NFC division becomes bad enough for a .500-or-worse team to win it. This Washington group might be the worst product of the trend yet it took a Week 17 nail-biter victoryover Philadelphia to earn a playoff berth. Still, this contest
Greg Bird Jersey will be televised in prime time largely because of the presence of Tom Brady, who is in his first year with the Buccaneers.NFL wild-card TV scheduleThere will be three NFL games per day on wild-card weekend, aired acro s four primary TV channels. Because there are only two first-round byes this year, just the Chiefs and Packers are off during the wild-card round.Buccaneers atWashington is the nightcap on Saturday, and Browns at Steelers in prime time is the final game Sunday.Below is the full TV schedule for wild-card action.Saturday, Jan. 9MatchupStart timeTV channelColts at Bills1:05 p.m. ETCBSRams at Seahawks4:40 p.m. ETFoxBuccaneers at Washington8:15 p.m. ETNBCSunday, Jan. 10MatchupStart timeTV channelRavens at Titans1:05 p.m. ETESPN/ABCBears at Saints4:40 p.m. ETCBS/Nickelodeon/Amazon PrimeBrowns at Steelers8:15 p.m. ETNBCNFL playoff bracket, seeds 2021AFCSeedTeamRecordClinched1.Kansas City
Reggie Jackson Jersey Chiefs14-2No. 1 seed; division2.Buffalo Bills13-3No. 2 seed; division3.Pittsburgh Steelers12-4No. 3 seed; division4.Tenne see Titans11-5No. 4 seed; division5.Baltimore Ravens11-5No. 5 seed; wild card6.Cleveland Browns11-5No. 6 seed; wild card7.Indianapolis Colts11-5No. 7 seed; wild cardNFCSeedTeamRecordClinched1.Green Bay Packers13-3No. 1 seed; division2.New Orleans Saints12-4No. 2 seed; division3.Seattle Seahawks12-4No. 3 seed; division4.Washington Football Team7-9No. 4 seed; division5.Tampa Bay Buccaneers11-5No. 5 seed; wild card6.LA Rams10-6No. 6 seed; wild card7.Chicago Bears8-8No. 7 seed; wild card
