American Football: The most important thing about the 2025 NFL playoffs

FAQ

St. Brown’s path to the Super Bowl?:NFL Playoffs 2025: What to know

272 games, 1,387 touchdowns, countless spectacular catches, runs and tackles: the NFL regular season is over. Now the 14 best teams come together for the playoffs.

Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) of the Detroit Lions during the game.

The German-American wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is fighting for a place in the Super Bowl with his Detroit Lions in the playoffs.

Source: IMAGO

How does the NFL playoff mode work?

Thanks to their good performances in the regular season, 14 teams were able to qualify for the playoffs – the best seven in each of the AFC and the NFC. The two teams that can play in the Super Bowl will now be played in three rounds (Wildcard Round, Divisional Round, Conference Finals).

ZDF documentary about the German-American NFL players and brothers Amon-Ra and Equanimeous St. Brown. (archive)Sep 4, 2022 | 18:48 mins

The fact that the two best teams of the regular season are rewarded with the “bye week” can cause confusion. This means that they automatically qualify for the Divisional Round and do not have to compete in the Wildcard Round. Another special feature: Unlike, for example, the US basketball league NBA, the football playoffs are not held in “best-of series”. This means that each party decides whether to advance or be eliminated.

AFC
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)
2. Buffalo Bills (13-4)
3. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
4. Houston Texans (10-7)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
7. Denver Broncos (10-7)

NFC
1. Detroit Lions (15-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
4. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
5. Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
6. Washington Commanders (12-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (11-6)

When is the game played?

The playoffs start this Saturday, January 11th with the wildcard round. From then on, football fans can look forward to top-class duels every weekend. This is followed by the Divisional Round from January 18th to 20th and the Conference Finals on January 26th and 27th. The All-Star Game (Pro Bowl Games) will take place later in the week before the entire sports world awaits the Super Bowl on the night of February 10th, German time. The mega event will take place this year at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The star of the popular halftime show will be US rapper Kendrick Lamar.

Which German players are still there?

Amon-Ra St. Brown is the name that outshines everything. The German-American wide receiver is one of the main players for his Detroit Lions. With an outstanding season, he led his team to first place in the National Football Conference (NFC). Also represented in the playoffs are the Washington Commanders, led by the German-American Brandon Coleman. However, experts only give them outsider chances.

NFL star Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions) told his special family story in the gym in 2022.June 25, 2022 | 12:41 mins

Mahomes Chiefs or St. Browns Lions: Who are the favorites?

Of course, the Kansas City Chiefs with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes are among the favorites again this year. The Chiefs could become the first team to win the Super Bowl for the third time in a row. However, bookmakers currently see St. Brown’s Detroit Lions even ahead of the Chiefs. Behind the obvious favorites there are also strong teams lurking: the Ravens, Bills and Eagles. Probabilities or not: a lot is possible in knockout mode.

Amon-Ra St. Brown (M) on May 1st, 2021 in Lake Forest

It was a rollercoaster of emotions: Amon-Ra St. Brown has made it in the NFL. The Detroit Lions selected him in round four of the 2021 draft.May 2, 2021 | 19:14 mins

Which players are in focus?

Of course, many eyes will be on Patrick Mahomes again this year. Statistically speaking, however, he was not the best quarterback in the regular season. The NFL season so far has been shaped by quarterbacks Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) and Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills). Jackson has already been the MVP of the NFL season twice. Nevertheless, the two 28-year-olds are still waiting for their first Super Bowl.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrates with the trophy after the team's overtime win during the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas.

The Vince Lombardi Trophy is the reward for winning the Super Bowl. Last year the Chiefs won with Patrick Mahomes.

Source: AP

Regardless of the quarterback spotlight, it’s worth taking a look at wide receiver Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings). German fans should of course watch the Lions and St. Brown games.

Who broadcasts the American football playoffs?

From this round onwards, RTL will show all NFL games on free TV and in streams on RTL+. The paid streaming service DAZN also broadcasts the playoffs.

2024: Kansas City Chiefs
2023: Kansas City Chiefs
2022: Los Angeles Rams
2021: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2020: Kansas City Chiefs
2019: New England Patriots
2018: Philadelphia Eagles
2017: New England Patriots
2016: Denver Broncos
2015: New England Patriots
2014: Seattle Seahawks
2013: Baltimore Ravens
2012: New York Giants
2011: Green Bay Packers
2010: New Orleans Saints
2009: Pittsburgh Steelers
2008: New York Giants
2007: Indianapolis Colts
2006: Pittsburgh Steelers
2005: New England Patriots
2004: New England Patriots
2003: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2002: New England Patriots
2001: Baltimore Ravens
2000: St. Louis Rams
1999: Denver Broncos
1998: Denver Broncos
1997: Green Bay Packers
1996: Dallas Cowboys
1995: San Francisco 49ers
1994: Dallas Cowboys
1993: Dallas Cowboys
1992: Washington Redskins
1991: New York Giants
1990: San Francisco 49ers
1989: San Francisco 49ers
1988: Washington Redskins
1987: New York Giants
1986: Chicago Bears
1985: San Francisco 49ers
1984: Los Angeles Raiders
1983: Washington Redskins
1982: San Francisco 49ers
1981: Oakland Raiders
1980: Pittsburgh Steelers
1979: Pittsburgh Steelers
1978: Dallas Cowboys
1977: Oakland Raiders
1976: Pittsburgh Steelers
1975: Pittsburgh Steelers
1974: Miami Dolphins
1973: Miami Dolphins
1972: Dallas Cowboys
1971: Baltimore Colts
1970: Kansas City Chiefs
1969: New York Jets
1968: Green Bay Packers
1967: Green Bay Packers