NFL playoff bracket 2022: Divisional playoff matchups, schedule for AFC & NFC

The NFL wild-card round is nearing its end with just nine teams left in the hunt for a Super Bowl title. After Monday, that number will fall to eight, with either the Rams or Cardinals moving on, and the loser going home.

It has been a good postseason so far for the favorites, with the only division champion falling in the playoffs so far being the Cowboys in a narrow defeat to the 49ers on Sunday. Several games delivered blowouts, with the Bills demolishing the Patriots, the Buccaneers running away from the Eagles and the Chiefs blowing out the Steelers. The Bengals edged out the Raiders with a last-second goal-line interception to deliver Cincinnati its first playoff win since 1991.

IYER: Dissecting Cowboys’ big playoff fail vs. 49ers

When the NFL is back in action next weekend, all the remaining teams will be back on the field. The Titans and Packers got to rest this weekend and watch the games from home, but will now have to defend their home fields, with Tennessee set to face Cincinnati and Green Bay preparing to play San Francisco. The only team that leaves Sunday unsure of their opponent is the Buccaneers, who will face the winner of the Rams-Cardinals matchup.

Below is a look at the NFL playoff picture heading into the divisional round, including information on matchups and a TV schedule of the games.

MORE: Watch NFL playoff games live with fuboTV (free trial)

NFL playoff bracket 2022

AFC

1. Tennessee Titans vs. 4. Cincinnati Bengals
2. Kansas City Chiefs vs. 3. Buffalo Bills

NFC

1. Green Bay Packers vs. 6. San Francisco 49ers
2. Buccaneers vs. 4. Los Angeles Rams/5. Arizona Cardinals

NFL divisional round matchups

AFC

1. Tennessee Titans vs. 4. Cincinnati Bengals

The Titans will be back in action on Saturday after resting in the wild-card round, and this time, they’ll be playing again with star running back Derrick Henry, who has missed much of the season with a fractured foot. He’ll face a tough rushing defense in Cincinnati, however, that allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards to opposing teams during the regular season. And the Titans, who allowed the eighth-most passing yards this season, will have to slow down Joe Burrow and the dynamic Bengals’ wide receivers.

2. Kansas City Chiefs vs. 3. Buffalo Bills

The Bills avenged their defeat to Kansas City in the 2021 AFC Championship Game by taking down the Chiefs 38-20 when the two teams met in Week 5 this season. The Chiefs had no answer for the dual-threat ability of Josh Allen, who passed for 315 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 59 yards and another score. But since that loss, the Chiefs have gone 11-2, and are clicking on all cylinders after Patrick Mahomes threw five touchdowns against the Steelers in the wild-card win.

NFC

1. Green Bay Packers vs. 6. San Francisco 49ers

Aaron Rodgers has not gotten his team to the Super Bowl since 2010 despite having reached the playoffs eight times since then. Three times during that stretch, it has been the 49ers that has eliminated Green Bay from the postseason. Rodgers has never beaten San Francisco in the playoffs, but for only the second time, the game will be held at Lambeau Field. Can the Packers reach the NFC Championship for the third straight year, or will San Francisco again end Green Bay’s title hopes?

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. 4. Los Angeles Rams/5. Arizona Cardinals

The Buccaneers had no problem winning their fifth straight playoff game after last year’s Super Bowl win, as they took down the Eagles in a 31-15 win. Tampa Bay lost to the Rams earlier this season in a 32-24 defeat, and has not faced Arizona this season.

NFL playoff schedule: Divisional round

There will be two games on both Saturday and Sunday, with on each in the mid-afternoon and one in the evening.

The first day will feature both the No. 1 seeds with the Titans and Bengals set to open up the divisional round on CBS before the Packers and 49ers player that evening. The reigning conference champions will each take the field on Sunday, starting with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers taking on the winner of NFC West rivals. The final game of the weekend will be a 2021 AFC Championship rematch with the Chiefs set to play the Bills.

Below is the full TV schedule for the divisional round.

Saturday, Jan. 22

Sunday, Jan. 23

NFL playoff bracket, seeds 2022

AFC

NFC