NFL Playoffs: Teams That Clinched a Spot or Are Eliminated From Contest originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Kansas City Chiefs will officially take their three-peat bid into the postseason.
The two-time defending Super Bowl champions on Friday became the first NFL team in the 2024 season to clinch a spot in the playoffs — and they did so with yet another nail-biter of a win.
The Chiefs appeared headed to their second loss of the campaign when the Las Vegas Raiders got into position for a potential game-winning field goal in Week 13 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. But on a 3rd and 3 with 15 seconds left, the Raiders botched the snap and the Chiefs recovered the loose ball for a game-clinching turnover.
With the 19-17 win, Kansas City has now won nine of 11 games by seven points or fewer. And the Chiefs’ latest thriller notched the franchise’s 10th consecutive trip to the postseason — one year shy of the New England Patriots’ all-time playoff record (2009-19).
Between now and the end of the regular season, several other teams will join Kansas City in the postseason for a chance to win the Lombardi Trophy. As the playoff field begins to take shape, here’s what you need to know:
How many teams make the NFL playoffs?
A total of fourteen teams (seven from each conference) reach the NFL playoffs.
How many NFL wild card teams are there?
Each conference’s playoff field consists of four division winners and three wild-card teams.
Which teams are in the NFL playoffs so far?
The Chiefs are the only team to clinch a playoff spot in Sunday’s Week 13 action.
Which teams have been eliminated from the NFL playoffs?
So far, one team has been eliminated from the playoffs in each conference:
AFC
NFC
How many teams get a bye in the NFL playoffs?
Only the top seed from each conference will receive a bye for the divisional round.
How do the NFL Playoffs work?
Teams are seeded No. 1 through No. 7 in each conference, with the four division winners ranked by regular season record, followed by the three wild card teams ranked by regular season record.
The opening round matchups of the playoffs are No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5.
Will the NFL Playoffs Be Reseeded?
Yes, the NFL will be placed in the playoffs again. That means the top-seeded team in each conference will draw the lowest-seeded team to advance beyond the opening round of the playoffs.
When does the 2024 NFL regular season end?
The regular season concludes with week 18 action on Sunday, January 5.
When do the NFL Playoffs start?
The post-season then starts with the Super Wild Card Weekend from Saturday January 11 to Monday January 13.
What is the NFL playoff schedule?
The Divisional Round will take place from Saturday, January 18 through Sunday, January 19, starting with the AFC and NFC Championship Games on Sunday, January 26.
When is the 2025 Super Bowl?
The AFC and NFC champions will face off in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, February 9.
Where will the 2025 Super Bowl be played?
Caesars Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, in the Big Easy will host the Big Game.
