Man, machine or dog: Who can pick NFL playoff games most accurately?
USA TODAY Sports’ Josh Peter pits NFL reporters vs. an algorithm vs. his maltipoo in ultimate test to see who is best at picking NFL playoff games.
Sports Pulse
The NFL playoffs kick off on Saturday. Twelve teams are competing to play in the divisional round.
Here’s a guide to NFL playoffs, including Wild Card matchups, the road to the Super Bowl, and who’s performing the halftime show.
What NFL teams made the playoffs?
Here’s who is in the playoffs for the NFC and the AFC:
NFC playoff picture:Detroit Lions (15-2), NFC North champions: It took all 18 weeks and most of four quarters on Sunday night, but they successfully defended their divisional throne while obtaining a No. 1 seed for the first time ever. A battered team that was further bruised by Minnesota can definitely use the extra rest before resuming the quest for its first Super Bowl appearance. Playoff schedule: BYEPhiladelphia Eagles (14-3), NFC East champions: They locked down the division crown in Week 17 and the NFC’s No. 2 seed. They won a meaningless game with their reserves defeating the Giants on Sunday but got to rest many prominent starters ahead of a wild-card showdown with Green Bay. Playoff schedule: vs. PackersTampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7), NFC South champions: They’re division champions for the fourth consecutive season after coming back to beat a game New Orleans squad in the regular-season finale. They climbed to the third seed after the Rams’ loss by virtue of a two-game advantage in NFC games (8-4). Playoff schedule: vs. CommandersLos Angeles Rams (10-7), NFC West champions: Like Philly, they wrapped up their division in Week 17 and mostly wanted to get through Week 18 intact before preparing for their playoff opener. But their loss to Seattle dropped LA to the fourth seed and a tough matchup against the salty Vikes. Playoff schedule: vs. VikingsMinnesota Vikings (14-3), wild card No. 1: They couldn’t quite finish off the quest for the No. 1 seed, meaning they now must become road warriors, whose reward could be a return trip to Ford Field if they can handle the Rams first. Playoff schedule: at RamsWashington Commanders (12-5), wild card No. 2: A last-second victory at Dallas provided a nice end to the regular season, Washington’s first with 12 wins since 1991. Green Bay’s earlier loss conferred the sixth seed. Playoff schedule: at BuccaneersGreen Bay Packers (11-6), wild card No. 3: Getting swept by Detroit and (eventually) Minnesota relegated the Pack to wild-card status even before Week 17. Sunday’s loss locked them into the seventh seed and a wild-card rematch in Philadelphia with the Eagles, who beat the Pack in Week 1 in South America. Playoff schedule: at EaglesAFC playoff pictureKansas City Chiefs (15-2), AFC West champions: By crushing Pittsburgh on Christmas, they secured home-field advantage and a first-round bye– and two-plus weeks off in actuality, with many starters resting in what was a meaningless (for K.C., anyway) Week 18 contest at Denver. Playoff schedule: BYEBuffalo Bills (13-4), AFC East champions: They locked up the No. 2 seed in Week 17, meaning the road to Super Bowl 59 could go through Western New York if the Chiefs lose their playoff opener. Playoff schedule: vs. BroncosBaltimore Ravens (12-5), AFC North champions: Catching fire? Probably an understatement as they blazed their way to the division crown and No. 3 seed Saturday afternoon by smoking Cleveland. Next up? A trilogy rubber match with Pittsburgh. Playoff schedule: vs. SteelersHouston Texans (10-7), AFC South champions: They rule a weak division for the second straight year, but the fourth seed means a tough wild-card matchup (albeit in Houston) against the Bolts. Playoff schedule: vs. ChargersLos Angeles Chargers (11-6), wild card No. 1: They moved up to the fifth seed courtesy of Pittsburgh’s loss and secured the wild-card matchup with Houston by beating Las Vegas on Sunday. Playoff schedule: at TexansPittsburgh Steelers (10-7), wild card No. 2: They’ve lost four in a row (by an average of 13 points) to close out the regular season, dropping them from the AFC North lead and No. 3 seed down to sixth and a trip back to Baltimore. Playoff schedule: at RavensDenver Broncos (10-7), wild card No. 3: The third time was the charm as they finally secured the AFC’s final wild-card berth, ending a nine-year postseason absence, by rolling over the Chiefs’ backups 38-0. Next week’s assignment in Western New York will be much tougher. Denver went 0-3 against the Chargers and Steelers this season, hence the Broncos could never do better than the seventh seed coming into the weekend. Playoff schedule: at BillsHow to watch the NFL Wild Card games: Date, time and TV channel
Saturday, January 11:
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBSPittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens at 8 p.m. ET on Prime VideoSunday, January 12:Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills at 1 p.m. ET on CBSGreen Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles at 8 p.m. ET on FOXWashington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 8 p.m. ET on NBCMonday, January 13:Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABCWhen is Super Bowl LIX?
Super Bowl LIX, the most anticipated game of the year, is set to happen at the Caesars Superdome, the home stadium of the Saints, in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Feb. 9, 2025, with a kickoff time of 6:30 p.m. ET.
The Superdome holds significant value for the people of New Orleans.
In 2005, it served as a refuge for 30,000 evacuees affected by Hurricane Katrina. Although there were concerns about demolishing the stadium, it was successfully reconstructed. Over the years, the stadium has also been a venue for various events and concerts.
New Orleans shares the record with Miami for hosting the most Super Bowls by a city. This will be the city’s 11th time hosting the Super Bowl.
Who is performing at Super Bowl LIX?
Kendrick Lamar is the headliner at Super Bowl LIX. This will be Lamar’s second time performing at the Super Bowl. He shared the stage with Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Anderson .Paak during the Super Bowl LVI halftime show. He is the first rap artist to be the solo headliner of a Super Bowl halftime show.
Lamar is likely to perform songs off his latest album, “GNX,” along with a medley of his other hits.
Lamar may give his second live performance of “Not Like Us,” his petty diss track to rival Drake. Lamar first performed the song live during his “The Pop Out: Ken & Friends” show, which streamed on Amazon Prime on Juneteenth.
How long is the Super Bowl halftime show?
Performers have 12-14 minutes for their show. -USA TODAY NETWORK contributed to this report.