NFL playoffs: Schedule and matchups as opening round starts Saturday

The NFL playoff field is finalized, the first-round matchups and the television schedule are set, and a postseason filled with intriguing storylines has arrived.

The AFC is loaded with star power and questions. Can the Kansas City Chiefs become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls? Will two-time MVP Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens make his first Super Bowl appearance? Or will Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, an MVP contender, bring Buffalo to the NFL’s title game for the first time since the Jim Kelly-era Bills lost four straight Super Bowls?

The NFC was the more surprising conference. The top-seeded Detroit Lions are attempting to advance to their first Super Bowl. The second-seeded Philadelphia Eagles could win the NFC for the third time in eight years - but they’re waiting to learn the status of quarterback Jalen Hurts, who missed the final two games with a concussion. The Minnesota Vikings are 14-3 but are the No. 5 seed because they finished behind the Lions in the NFC North.

The games begin Saturday afternoon.

What are the first-round matchups?

There are six first-round games spread over three days.

Los Angeles Chargers (-3) at Houston Texans

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. | CBS

The Texans were sometimes underwhelming in their second year with DeMeco Ryans as coach and C.J. Stroud as quarterback, but they finished 10-7 and won the AFC South for a second straight season. The 11-6 Chargers are in the playoffs in Coach Jim Harbaugh’s first season; they moved up to the No. 5 seed by beating the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-9)

Saturday, 8 p.m. | Prime Video

The Steelers (10-7) led the AFC North by two games with four weeks left. But they lost their final four games as the Ravens (12-5) won their final four games. Now the rivals will meet in the postseason. Pittsburgh has won eight of the past 10 in the series, but the Ravens dispatched the Steelers in Baltimore, 34-17, last month.

Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills (-8½)

Sunday, 1 p.m. | CBS

The AFC East champion Bills (13-4) are in the playoffs for a sixth straight season. The Broncos (10-7), who didn’t clinch a wild-card spot until the last day of the season, will be playing their first postseason game since winning the Super Bowl in February 2016. But rookie quarterback Bo Nix closed strong, throwing nine touchdown passes and only one interception over his final three games.

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles (-4½)

Sunday, 4:30 p.m. | Fox

The Packers finished 11-6 and in third place in the NFC North. They lost to the Chicago Bears in their finale, a game quarterback Jordan Love could not finish because of an elbow injury. The Eagles won the NFC East at 14-3. Running back Saquon Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to top 2,000 rushing yards in a season.

Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)

Sunday, 8 p.m. | NBC

In one of three opening-round games in which the lower-seeded team has a better record, the 12-5 Commanders will face the NFC South champion Buccaneers, who are 10-7. Washington is in the postseason for the first time since the 2020 season, when it lost to … the Buccaneers, who were then led by Tom Brady.

Minnesota Vikings (-2½) at Los Angeles Rams

Monday, 8 p.m. | ESPN, ABC

The Vikings would have been the NFC’s top seed had they beaten the Lions on Sunday night. Instead, they’re the No. 5 seed despite their 14-3 record and will meet the NFC West champion Rams - who beat the Vikings, 30-20, in Week 8. The Rams (10-7) won nine of 11 games before resting many of their stars in the finale.

What is the schedule for the divisional round?

There will be two games Saturday, Jan. 18 and two more Sunday, Jan. 19. The matchups depend on the first-round winners. The lowest remaining seed in each conference plays at the No. 1 seed. The two remaining teams in each conference face each other, with the higher seed playing at home.

When are the conference championship games?

The conference championship games will be Sunday, Jan. 26.

The Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) are the No. 1 seed in the AFC and would have home-field advantage if they advance to this round. Otherwise, the highest-remaining seed will host the AFC championship game. The Detroit Lions (15-2) are the No. 1 seed in the NFC and would have home-field advantage if they advance to this round. Otherwise, the highest remaining seed will host the NFC championship game.

When is the Super Bowl?

Super Bowl LIX is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Superdome in New Orleans. The game will be broadcast on Fox.