Bitter rivalry reignited, reigning champs earn bye as NFL playoff schedule locked in
The NFL playoffs are all but locked in, with reigning Super Bowl champions Kansas City earning a first-week bye after finishing atop their conference.
After a dramatic regular season, just 14 teams remain in the hunt to lift the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy in early February.
Among them will of course be the Chiefs, who finished with a 15-2 record, placing them above the Buffalo Bills as the No.1 seed in the AFC.
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Patrick Mahomes huddles with his Chiefs teammates. Getty
Buffalo will now take on the Denver Broncos on wild card weekend, while a rivalry game between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers is also on the agenda.
Across in the NFC, the battle for top spot was decided on Tuesday afternoon (AEDT) when the Detroit Lions proved too strong for the Vikings, earning a week off.
Minnesota will now host the Los Angeles Rams in the first week of the post-season.
Title contenders Philadelphia finished third in the conference and will take on the Green Bay Packers in a bid to advance into the divisional round.
Jordan Mailata's Eagles finished in the playoffs for another season. Getty
Check out the full schedule for the first week of the playoffs below.
NFL playoff wild card round schedule (AEDT)
Sunday, January 12
- Houston Texans vs Los Angeles Chargers (8.30am)
- Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers (12pm)
Monday, January 13
- Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos (5am)
- Philadelphia Eagles vs Green Bay Packers (8.30am)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Washington Commanders (12pm)
Tuesday, January 14
- Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams (12pm)
BYE: Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions
