NFL Playoff Picture 2025: AFC, NFC Brackets, Odds, Scenarios and Picks

No NFL team has won three straight Super Bowls. However, that could soon change.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ quest for a third consecutive championship begins Saturday, when the AFC’s No. 1 seed hosts the Houston Texans in a Divisional Round matchup. The Chiefs advanced past the Wild-Card Round with a bye, as did the Detroit Lions on the NFC side.

Detroit, which is also in action on Saturday, will be looking to reach the NFC Championship Game for the second year in a row by beating the Washington Commanders, the only road team to win during the Wild-Card Round. The No. 6-seeded Commanders are the only non-top-four seed among the eighth remaining teams.

The four winners of this weekend’s Divisional Round matchups will advance to conference championship games the following week. Super Bowl LIX is set for Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

Here’s a closer look at the upcoming schedule, followed by Divisional Round predictions and odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook).

Divisional Round Schedule

Saturday, Jan. 18

No. 4 Houston Texans at No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

No. 6 Washington Commanders at No. 1 Detroit Lions, 8 p.m. ET, Fox

Sunday, Jan. 19

No. 4 Los Angeles Rams at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles, 3 p.m. ET, NBC

No. 3 Baltimore Ravens at No. 2 Buffalo Bills, 6:30 p.m. ET, CBS

Future Schedule

Sunday, Jan. 26

NFC Championship Game, 3 p.m. ET, Fox

AFC Championship Game, 6:30 p.m. ET, CBS

Sunday, Feb. 9

Super Bowl LIX, 6:30 p.m. ET, Fox

Bracket Scenarios

The Chiefs hosted the AFC Championship Game five straight seasons from 2018-22, and they could do so again this year. If they beat the Texans, then the game will be held in Kansas City the following week.

However, if Houston pulls off an upset, then it will be going on the road to take on either Buffalo or Baltimore for the AFC title. The only way the Bills or Ravens can host the game is if the Chiefs get knocked off.

The Lions played in the NFC Championship Game last year, and they could punch a ticket there again with a victory over the Commanders. If Detroit wins, then it will host the game the following week.

If Washington pulls off an upset, then it would go on the road to either Philadelphia or Los Angeles to play for the NFC title. That’s the only way that either the Eagles or Rams could host the NFC Championship Game.

No. 4 Houston at No. 1 Kansas City (-8.5)
The Chiefs have won Divisional Round games each of the past six seasons, and this year shouldn’t be any different. Even if Kansas City (15-2 during the regular season) fall short of a Super Bowl title, its season won’t be ending Saturday.

Expect the Chiefs to have little trouble against the Texans, who won’t keep things as close as they did when the teams met in Week 16 (a 27-19 victory for Kansas City).

Prediction: Chiefs 31, Texans 21

No. 3 Baltimore (-1.5) at No. 2 Buffalo
The best game of the Divisional Round should be this matchup featuring the two NFL MVP front-runners. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will head to Buffalo as a road favorite against Bills QB Josh Allen.

When these teams met in Week 4, the Ravens cruised to a 35-10 win in Baltimore. They’ll be victorious again this time, but it will come down to the wire. Justin Tucker will boot a game-winning field goal to send Baltimore to the AFC Championship Game for a second consecutive year.

Prediction: Ravens 34, Bills 31

No. 6 Washington at No. 1 Detroit (-8.5)
The Commanders could surprise some people by covering the spread in this matchup, as they typically play close games. Washington is on a six-game winning streak, with its past five victories coming by six or fewer points.

But the Lions (15-2 in the regular season) are a powerhouse that won’t be stopped this early (if at all). Detroit will win and return to the NFC Championship Game.

Prediction: Lions 34, Commanders 28

No. 4 Los Angeles at No. 2 Philadelphia (-6)
This is another game that could be closer than the spread is forecasting. The Rams are coming off an impressive 27-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild-Card Round, so they could make things a bit difficult on the Eagles.

However, Philadelphia won 37-20 when these teams met in Week 12, and it should win again.

Prediction: Eagles 27, Rams 22

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