Ahh the NFL playoffs, home of the largest single elimination game known to man, the NFL game bracket! It’s an incredible spectacle, and it’s time to strap in and see who will emerge triumphant over the course of the tournament.
Let’s start off with the teams we’re likely to see in the big show. With the regular season over, we have 12 teams that have clinched a wild card spot in the playoffs. This includes of course the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles. On the flip side, we have the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and Buffalo Bills.
Now what’s the format? The NFL game bracket calls for four wild card teams, three division winners, and one bye team (the two best teams in the league) that go straight to the divisional round. Each divisional matchup is then further divided into conference championship games, followed by the Cup final at the conclusion of the postseason.
Let’s take a look at what the NFL game bracket looks like for the 2020/21 season. In the wild-card round, we see the two best bye teams, the Chiefs and the Rams, pitted against the Titans and the Bills in their respective divisions. Then in the divisional round, the Saints take on the Buccaneers, the Packers face off against the 49ers, the Eagles battle the Saints, and the Seahawks take on the Rams. The conference championships follow the same format, but with the ultimate Cup final at the conclusion of the postseason.
I’m looking forward to the games this season, as it’s sure to be one of the best playoffs in recent memory. It’s still too early to tell who’s going to take home the Cup, but with teams like the Saints, Packers, Eagles, and Seahawks in contention, it’s sure to be quite the show.
With the playoffs coming up soon, I can’t help but wonder who will be making it to the top. On one hand, you’ve got the 49ers and Saints, who boast formidable offenses, and on the other hand, you’ve got the Packers, Eagles, and Seahawks, who have consistently shown that defense wins championships. It’s really anyone’s game, and I for one can’t wait to find out who’s picking up the trophy when the dust settles.
Speaking of defense, we’ve got some top contenders this season in the defensive categories. With standouts like Darius Leonard, Jalen Ramsey, Stephon Gilmore, and Tyrann Mathieu, it’s sure to be one heck of a defensive showdown. I can only guess who will come out on top, but with so many talented defenders out there, it’s safe to say it’s going to be a close call.
The wild card round is always an exciting time, as teams fend for their postseason lives with the ultimate goal of making it to the Cup Final. To me, this is the best part of the season; the excitement and high stakes of the playoffs make for some of the most gripping games in professional sports. From the first defensive play to the last buzzer, you never know who’s going to come out on top.
What’s your favorite part about the playoffs? Who do you think will ultimately win this year’s NFL Cup? Let me know your thoughts below!