![NFL Playoffs Preview, Schedule & Bracket](http://townsquare.media/site/535/files/2022/01/attachment-NFL-logo.jpg?w=980&q=75)
NFL Playoffs Preview, Schedule & Bracket
Every game counts in the NFL, as we like to say, largely because the league uses its schedule to ensure it. Once again, its playoff field was not finalized until the 272nd and final game of the 2021 regular season.
![KSOO-AM / ESPN Sioux Falls logo](https://townsquare.media/site/987/files/2021/07/attachment-512-2.jpg?w=100)
The Raiders' overtime victory over the Chargers on Sunday night locked in the AFC's final spots and set in motion the most exciting month of the NFL calendar.
While 2021 featured the NFL's first 17-game season, it was the second year of an expanded 14-team playoff format.
The No. 1 seeds in each conference -- the Titans in the AFC and the Packers in the NFC -- will receive first-round byes. The remaining 12 teams will play in next week's three-day wild-card extravaganza: two games on Saturday, three on Sunday, and a new Monday night finale.
Last season's top seeds each made it to their respective championship games, and the Chiefs also got to Super Bowl LV. But the eventual champion was the Buccaneers, who had advanced as a wild-card team. In other words, it's time to buckle up and prepare for some unexpected twists and turns.
Wild-card weekend: January 15, 16 and 17
NFC
(7) Philadelphia Eagles at (2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, Noon on Fox
(6) San Francisco 49ers at (3) Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 3:30 PM on CBS
(5) Arizona Cardinals at (4) Los Angeles Rams
Monday, 7:15 PM on ESPN/ABC/ESPN+
Bye: (1) Green Bay Packers
AFC
(7) Pittsburgh Steelers at (2) Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, 7:15 PM on NBC
(6) New England Patriots at (3) Buffalo Bills
Saturday, 7:15 PM on CBS
(5) Las Vegas Raiders at (4) Cincinnati Bengals
Saturday, 3:30 PM on NBC
Bye: (1) Tennessee Titans
Ten Most Disappointing Minnesota Sports Seasons
More From KSOO-AM / ESPN Sioux Falls
![Hear From Sioux Falls Native Taryn Kloth Ahead of Paris Olympics](http://townsquare.media/site/535/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-2163210533.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Former UNI Basketball Star Teams Up with Lebron for Olympics](http://townsquare.media/site/726/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-2163497789.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![[PHOTOS] Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Rookie Season Highlights… So Far!](http://townsquare.media/site/726/files/2024/07/attachment-gettyimages-2160286110-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Win Total Projections for All Area FBS College Football Teams](http://townsquare.media/site/535/files/2022/04/attachment-GettyImages-1236403277.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![San Diego Padres Dylan Cease Throws First Career No-No](http://townsquare.media/site/535/files/2024/07/attachment-Dylan-Cease.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Have You Seen These South Dakota Missing Children](http://townsquare.media/site/535/files/2024/07/attachment-Missing-Cassidy-Ringing-Shield-NCMEC-Canva1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Former North Dakota St Standout Signs with Minnesota Vikings](http://townsquare.media/site/535/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-1171827135.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![North Dakota’s Carson Wentz Training Camp Blooper](http://townsquare.media/site/505/files/2024/07/attachment-carsonwentz14.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Twins, Kepler Walk-off Phillies](http://townsquare.media/site/535/files/2024/07/attachment-Max-Kepler08.jpg?w=980&q=75)