The NFL’s Wild Card Round has officially kicked off with six games played across three days. Who won? Who is heading to the Divisional Round? Which teams need to pack the bags and look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft?
Current NFL Playoff Bracket and Results
Let’s look at the results from Wild Card Weekend and what that means regarding the 2024 NFL playoff bracket. Note that the NFL reseeds the playoffs after each round, so the matchups can change depending on the results of the remaining Wild Card games.
NFL Playoffs Wild Card Results
Houston Texans Defeat Los Angeles Chargers, 32-12
The first game of the NFL Wild Card Round did not disappoint. Yes, it wasn’t the high-scoring affair some thought it would be, but it was a close, hard-fought battle nonetheless. The first half was pretty much all Chargers, right up until the final drive, where the Texans marched down the field with some big chunk plays.
The Texans recorded the fifth 99-yard drive in the playoffs since 2001 to take a 7-6 lead. That was after having just 70 total yards through their first five drives.
After that drive, the wheels fell off for the Chargers. The second half was plagued by Justin Herbert interceptions and Nico Collins’ breakout. Collins put up the most receiving yards ever by a Texans player in a postseason game. DeAndre Hopkins had 118 at the Chiefs in the 2019 Divisional Round, Andre Johnson had 111 in the 2011 Divisional game (at Ravens), and Keke Coutee 110 in the 2018 Wild Card game (vs. Colts).
Herbert threw three interceptions in his first 27 attempts after throwing just three in 504 attempts during the regular season. Herbert is the second QB since 2000 to qualify for the passing leaderboard and throw as many interceptions in a playoff game as he did the whole regular season. The other was 2016 Tom Brady, who obviously missed four games. Brady threw two picks in 12 games that regular season and then two picks in the playoff opener (also vs. the Texans).
Based on PFN’s win probabilities, the Texans’ most likely opponent is the Kansas City Chiefs. With both the No. 2 seed Buffalo Bills and No. 3 seed Baltimore Ravens favored to win, Houston would be the lowest remaining seed in the AFC and head to Arrowhead.
There is a 45.2% chance that the Texans play their Divisional Round game in Kansas City. The next most likely outcome based on our win probabilities is a 26.3% chance of playing in Baltimore, with a game in Buffalo at 18.0%, and then a game in Houston against the Steelers at 10.5%.
Baltimore Ravens Defeat Pittsburgh Steelers,
In the third matchup between these two teams this season, the Ravens continued what they accomplished the last time around and defeated Russell Wilson and co. It was a team effort, with both Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry gashing the Steelers’ defense.
Henry became the first player over 30 years of age to have four games in a single season with 130 rushing yards and multiple rushing scores. He entered the night tied with Priest Holmes (2004) for the most such games.
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The Steelers have now lost their sixth consecutive postseason matchup. Prior to this stretch, they had never lost more than three in a row.
Only Marvin Lewis now has a longer losing streak all-time than Mike Tomlin.
- Marvin Lewis 7
- Mike Tomlin 6
- Marty Schottenheimer 6
- Jim Mora Sr. 6
- Steve Owen 6
A whopping 28 coaches have won a playoff game since Tomlin’s last win.
Based on PFN’s win probabilities, the Ravens’ most likely opponent is the Buffalo Bills. With the No. 2 seed favored to beat the Broncos at home (61.8%), the Ravens and Bills would be the two middle seeds remaining and face off in the Divisional Round.
There is a 61.8% chance that the Ravens play their Divisional Round game in Buffalo. The Ravens have a 38.2% chance of hosting the No. 4 seed Houston Texans.
As outlined above, the Ravens would face the second-seeded Bills if Buffalo wins at home against Denver. At that point, the Texans’ win over the Chargers would have been irrelevant to Baltimore’s Divisional Round destination.
If the Broncos pull off the road upset, Baltimore will face the Texans. That’s due to Denver being the lowest-seeded team in the AFC field, which means the Broncos would automatically draw the two-time defending champion Chiefs.
NFL Playoff Dates and Divisional Round Schedule
Saturday, Jan. 18
- AFC/NFC divisional game: 4:30 p.m.
- AFC/NFC divisional game: 8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 19
- AFC/NFC divisional game: 3 p.m.
- AFC/NFC divisional game: 6:30 p.m.
Conference Championship Round
Sunday, Jan. 26
- NFC championship game: 3 p.m.
- AFC championship game: 6:30 p.m.
Super Bowl 59
- Date: Feb. 9, 2025
- Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- TV: FOX