The 2024 NFL regular season has been a rollercoaster of chaos, dominant quarterback play, and straight-up head-scratchers.
Teams like the Jets and Cowboys–flush with preseason attention–proved to be all hype, quickly flaming out. Meanwhile, other teams far surpassed expectations (we’re looking at you, Vikings and Bills), but everyone is still chasing Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, who somehow found a way to win week in and week out.
While we’re reliving the headlines, let’s not forget the wave of rookie quarterbacks who’ve already exceeded expectations–Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Drake Maye, and Caleb Williams have all given their fan bases reason for hope, and two of the four have even led their squads to the postseason.
But as wild as the regular season has been, we all know this: the playoffs are where legacies are made. This is what really counts. The biggest names, biggest moments, and truly gut-wrenching drama–it all happens in January and February.
As the road to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans (Feb. 9, 2025) takes shape, here are the storylines that will define the 2025 NFL playoffs.
Can the Chiefs Make History With a Three-Peat?
The Kansas City Chiefs are on the brink of something no team in the Super Bowl era has ever accomplished: a three-peat. Such an achievement would immortalize the Reid-Mahomes-Kelce dynasty alongside the Green Bay Packers of the 1920s and ’30s.
But the road this season hasn’t been easy–far from it–and it’s about to get even tougher.
Every team KC faces will be throwing their best shot. Though the Chiefs had the AFC’s best record this year, they looked vulnerable at times, and Patrick Mahomes is again dealing with an ankle injury, raising questions about whether KC should be the favorite to make history.
Kansas City is the team everyone wants to beat. It’s like a Hollywood script in the making: Will we witness history, or will someone finally dethrone the Chiefs? Speaking of…
Can The MVP Hopefuls Finally Get Past the Chiefs?
The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens have been here before–on the doorstep of the Super Bowl, only to see the Chiefs slam the door in their faces. It feels like the same story that’s replayed every year. But heading into the 2025 playoffs, the Bills and Ravens look stronger than ever before.
The reason: their QBs have both looked absolutely unstoppable this year. Josh Allen hasn’t missed a beat since the Bills traded Stefon Diggs, embracing an “everybody eats” philosophy with offensive coordinator Joe Brady spreading the ball around. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson is playing with more confidence than ever, thanks in part to offseason pickup Derrick Henry, who is somehow still trampling defenses while defying Father Time.
Allen and Lamar are the two MVP favorites and they seem to be headed for a collision. Buffalo and Baltimore (the No. 2 and 3 seeds in the AFC) will need to handle business in the first round, but if they do, we’re in for a beautiful QB showdown in Round 2–with the prize probably being a ticket to the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium.
Are the Lions Ready to Take the Leap?
The Detroit Lions have been the feel-good story of the NFL for the past two years. After decades of irrelevance, Detroit has built a tough, talented, and high-scoring team under head coach Dan Campbell. Led by the rejuvenated Jared Goff, who has surprisingly emerged as one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, the Lions are legit contenders.
Detroit’s offense, known for airing it out and going for it on fourth down, has shredded defenses all season. But the playoffs are a different beast, and the Lions are hobbled, with injuries to key players such as David Montgomery and Aidan Hutchinson.
Detroit’s fanbase is starved for success, but the Lions faithful believe this could finally be the year.
NFC North vs. The Field
For years, the NFC North was overlooked–a division full of “almost there” teams. That’s no longer the case. The Lions, Vikings, and Packers have all turned heads this season, creating the most competitive division in football.
As noted above, the Lions are the real deal. Meanwhile, the Vikings also look like contenders, with Minnesota cruising to a 14-3 record behind Sam Darnold’s resurgence. And though Green Bay has underperformed, the Packers have real upset potential. (Remember how they shocked Dallas in last year’s postseason)?
Can the NFC North send a team to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2011? Or will there be more heartbreak for franchises that have been waiting decades to take the next step?
Can the Eagles Overcome Drama and Make it Back to the Big Game?
The Eagles boast one of the league’s best records ( 14-3), and Saquon Barkley had a career year in his first campaign with Philadelphia, but it hasn’t been all smooth sailing this season. Tensions surfaced when A.J. Brown publicly voiced frustration with the team’s passing game, sparking speculation about a rift between him and QB Jalen Hurts.
Both have downplayed the drama, with Brown insisting, “Me and Jalen are good,” and Hurts chalking it up to competitive fire.
Coach Nick Sirianni also shrugged off concerns. But with the playoffs here, the Eagles need to ensure their chemistry and focus are 100% dialed in. Philly is loaded, but internal disarray could derail the Eagles’ hopes of returning to the Super Bowl.
Keep An Eye on the Sleepers
Every year, at least one team seems to come out of nowhere to shake up the playoff picture. This season, the Commanders and Chargers look like two low-seeded teams capable of sparking chaos.
And there are more. The Rams, led by Matthew Stafford and a resurgent offense, could rediscover the formula that made them Super Bowl champions just a few years ago, though they face a tough challenge with Minnesota coming to town. Meanwhile, Sean Payton’s Broncos have exceeded expectations with rookie QB Bo Nix this season, and they have their eyes on an upset of Allen and the Bills.
If these lowly seeded teams get momentum on their side, they could make noise.
The 2025 NFL playoffs are shaping up to be thrilling. With historic stakes for the Chiefs, redemption arcs for teams like the Bills, Ravens, and Lions, and rising contenders hoping to shake things up, the road to Super Bowl LIX is going to be special.