This year’s postseason features more teams, more games, and more excitement as the league’s new playoff format expands the field from 12 to 14 teams (seven from each conference). Which means there will now be six games on Wild-Card weekend–that’s two extra playoff games!
However, this year only the top seed from each conference will get a first-round bye. The previous format allowed two teams in each conference to have first-round byes. See below to find out when the NFL Playoffs start.
Until then, don’t miss any of the excitement as the post-season race is heating up. Check out ProFootballTalk for more on the 2021 NFL Playoffs as well as game previews, recaps, news, rumors and more.
When do the 2021 NFL Playoffs Start?
The first 2021 NFL Playoff game kicks off at 1:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 9. Both Saturday and Sunday will feature games at 1:05 p.m. ET, 4:40 p.m. ET and 8:15 p.m. ET. Check out the full Wild Card weekend schedule and more below:
Wild-Card Weekend:
- Saturday, January 9:
- 1:05 p.m. ET: (7) Indianapolis Colts at (2) Buffalo Bills
- 4:40 p.m. ET: (6) Los Angeles Rams at (3) Seattle Seahawks
- 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC: (5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at (4) Washington Football Team
- Sunday, January 10
- 1:05 p.m. ET: (5) Baltimore Ravens at (4) Tennessee Titans
- 4:40 p.m. ET: (7) Chicago Bears at (2) New Orleans Saints
- 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC: (6) Cleveland Browns at (3) Pittsburgh Steelers
Divisional Weekend:
- Saturday, January 16
- Sunday, January 17
Conference Championships:
- Sunday, January 24
Super Bowl 55:
- Sunday, February 7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay
RELATED: NFL playoff schedule 2021: Bracket, start times, dates, TV channel info for Wild Card round games
