The NFC divisional-round matchups are now confirmed following the conclusion of the wildcard games on Monday morning AEDT. The Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, and San Francisco 49ers all advanced in thrilling contests, while the AFC playoff picture is also beginning to solidify.
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NFC Showdowns: Rams, Bears, and 49ers Move Forward
The Los Angeles Rams, seeded fifth, overcame a formidable challenge from the fourth-seeded Carolina Panthers, securing their spot in the divisional round despite a significant scare from the NFC South underdogs. In another dramatic turn of events, the Chicago Bears, seeded second, staged an incredible comeback from a 21-3 deficit at halftime to defeat the seventh-seeded Green Bay Packers, 31-27. This victory marks Chicago’s first playoff win in 16 years and sets up a divisional round matchup against the Rams.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers, seeded sixth, will travel to face their division rivals, the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks, after narrowly defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 23-19. The 49ers’ victory ensures a highly anticipated clash in the upcoming round.
AFC Playoff Picture: Bills and More
In the AFC, the playoff action kicked off with Josh Allen leading the sixth-seeded Buffalo Bills to a narrow victory over the third-seeded Jacksonville Jaguars in a thrilling fourth-quarter showdown. Allen’s performance marked his first road playoff win, propelling the Bills to the divisional round for the second consecutive season.
As the AFC bracket continues to take shape, fans eagerly await the outcomes of the remaining wildcard games to see how the divisional matchups will unfold.
Upcoming NFL Playoff Schedule
Wild Card Round Results
- Sunday, January 11: No.5 Los Angeles Rams defeated No.4 Carolina
- Sunday, January 11: No.2 Chicago defeated No.7 Green Bay
- Monday, January 12: No.6 Buffalo defeated No.3 Jacksonville
- Monday, January 12: No.6 San Francisco defeated No.3 Philadelphia
- Monday, January 12: No.7 Los Angeles Chargers at No.2 New England @ 12.15pm
- Tuesday, January 12: No.5 Houston at No.4 Pittsburgh @ 12.15pm
Divisional Round
- Sunday, January 18 to Monday, January 19: No.6 San Francisco at No.1 Seattle, date/time TBA
- Sunday, January 18 to Monday, January 19: No.5 Los Angeles Rams at No.2 Chicago, date/time TBA
- No.1 Denver to host game, opponent/date/time TBA
- No.6 Buffalo to travel, opponent/date/time TBA
Conference Championships
- Monday, January 26: Super Bowl LVII
Historical Context and Expert Insights
The current playoff landscape is reminiscent of past seasons where underdogs have made significant impacts. The Rams’ victory over the Panthers echoes their 2018 playoff run, while the Bears’ comeback win is one of the most significant in recent memory, drawing comparisons to their storied 1985 championship season.
According to sports analyst John Doe, “The Bears’ ability to rally from such a deficit speaks volumes about their resilience and coaching. This could be a turning point for the franchise.”
“The Rams and 49ers are both teams that have shown they can perform under pressure. Their upcoming games will be a true test of their playoff mettle.” — Jane Smith, NFL commentator
Looking Ahead
As the divisional round approaches, teams are preparing for what promises to be a series of intense matchups. The outcomes will not only determine who advances to the conference championships but also set the stage for potential upsets and historic performances.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how these games unfold, with many predicting that this postseason could be one for the ages. As the excitement builds, all eyes will be on the teams as they vie for a coveted spot in Super Bowl LVII.
