NFL playoffs 2021: Bracket, schedule, scores, and more

The NFL is down to its final four. The matchups are set in the conference championship games after a thrilling weekend in the Divisional Round that saw the Packers, Bucs, Bills, and Chiefs all advance. By Sunday night, we’ll finally know who will be playing in Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7.

The NFC side is giving us a historic quarterback matchup between perhaps the two greatest talents who have ever played the position. Aaron Rodgers is playing arguably the best football of his life at age-37 and will soon be named the league’s MVP. He picked apart the Rams’ vaunted defense in the Divisional Round, throwing darts all over the field to finish with 296 yards passing, two touchdowns through the air, and another on the ground. He’ll face Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.

Brady, at age-43, didn’t look quite as convincing in Tampa’s win over the New Orleans Saints, but he did enough to earn the dub. Tampa’s defense was terrific against the Saints and will need another stellar performance to have a chance against the top-seeded Packers.

The AFC matchup between the Chiefs and Bills is clouded by uncertainty over Patrick Mahomes’ injury. KC’s superstar quarterback left the game after being put in the league’s concussion protocol. Backup Chad Henne made enough plays to win, but the Chiefs certainly need Mahomes back to continue their dream of repeating as Super Bowl champs.

The Bills are the opposition on Sunday night. Josh Allen has become one of the league’s top young QBs, and Buffalo’s defense has been outstanding. The Bills are the heavy underdog if Mahomes can go, but this isn’t an opponent to take lightly.

Both games will take place on Sunday, Jan. 24. Here’s the schedule ahead in the NFL playoffs, as well as a recap of how we got here.

Sunday, February 7

Super Bowl LV: Chiefs vs. Bucs, 6 p.m. ET (Approximate kickoff time: 6:30 p.m.)

Saturday, January 16.

Green Bay Packers 32, Los Angeles Rams 18

The battle of the NFL’s best defense and the league’s top offense showed the direction of modern football. Green Bay schemed around the Rams’ terrifying pass rush in a way Seattle was unable to do a week ago. Utilizing play action, and their stellar offensive line, the Packers kept the pocket clean for Rodgers for much of the afternoon, with Los Angeles unable to register a single sack. From there it was academic.

Green Bay showed its the class of the NFC until someone proves otherwise, and they look unstoppable with the amount of confidence this team is playing with.

Acme Packing Company said it best:

“The 2020 Packers can be themselves against anyone, a team capable of scoring points at will, rushing the passer with ferocity, and making just enough plays on defense to win games. Teams coming to Lambeau must resort to tricks and gimmicks, carnival games and slight of had to have to beat them. Green Bay, especially at Lambeau Field, can just be itself. If there were a team this season that could slow down the MVP and LaFleur’s offense, it just gave up 32 points in a playoff game. That’s the best version of what the Packers will face.”

Buffalo Bills 17, Baltimore Ravens 3

What began as an extremely fun, pretty sloppy game quickly just became sad (unless you’re a Bills fan). In the span of five minutes Buffalo recorded a massive 101 yard pick six to drive a dagger into the Ravens, then Lamar Jackson was injured and missed the majority of the fourth quarter under concussion protocol.

Taking nothing away from the Bills, this one really didn’t live up to its potential because of circumstance. Buffalo was in the driver’s seat at that point in the game, but the wind was sucked out of the game from the moment Jackson was out.

But, this was a night of celebration for long-suffering Bills fans who have been waiting forever to see their team return to the AFC Championship game. It was the culmination of years of work, the successful development of Josh Allen, and smart front office decisions to support him. The Bills proved they aren’t just a force of the future in the AFC East, but the entire NFL.

Here’s what our Bills community wrote after the game:

The best news, overall, is that Josh Allen avoided making crucial mistakes in this game. His worst play was a strip sack, when two defenders crushed the pocket and Matthew Judon slapped the ball away before Allen could finish his throw. Luckily, the Bills recovered it. But overall, Allen’s decision-making was only disappointing in that he tried too many deep passes that missed their mark. Allen finished 23-of-37 for 206 yards and a short touchdown to Stefon Diggs.

The running game, expected to be ineffective against the Ravens, was a non-factor because the Bills didn’t even give it the chance. Devin Singletary had seven carries for 25 yards, and Allen chipped in a couple token carries.

Sunday, January 17

Kansas City Chiefs 22, Cleveland Browns 17

At one point in this game, it looked like the Chiefs were going to run away with an easy victory, especially after the Browns fumbled a would-be touchdown through the endzone at the end of the first half. Cleveland would face a 19-3 deficit heading into the final 30 minutes of play.

The Browns clawed their way back into the game and the door for a comeback swung wide open when Patrick Mahomes was knocked out of the game with a concussion. Chad Henne’s insane 3rd-and-14 scramble on the final drive and a ballsy play call by Andy Reid to ice the victory helped the Chiefs advance to their third-straight AFC title game.

Here’s what our Chiefs community had to say about the victory:

There isn’t a worse situation for the Kansas City Chiefs than an injury to quarterback Patrick Mahomes. As they led by two possessions in the third quarter, Mahomes suffered a head injury that forced him out for the remainder of the contest. Backup quarterback Chad Henne came in and held the lead — even if if took diving head first to try and convert a third-and 14 — and eventually threw the game-sealing pass to wide receiver Tyreek Hill defeat the Cleveland Browns 22-17.

Mahomes finished 21 of 30, with 255 passing yards and two total touchdowns. Henne totaled 66 passing yards in relief of Mahomes. Hill and tight end Travis Kelce combined for 16 catches and 219 receiving yards — while running back Darrel Williams carried the backfield load with 78 rushing yards.

Here is how our Browns community had to say about the play that sealed the loss:

The Chiefs faced a 3rd-and-4 with 3:21 to go. The swing pass to the running back just barely picked up the first down, and Cleveland burned their final timeout. One more first down by Kansas City would officially seal the game. On second down, Garrett sacked Henne to set up 3rd-and-14 at the two minute warning. This was it: get the stop, and Mayfield would have a chance with about 1:10 left. Allow a first down, and the season is over.

Of all things, Henne freaking scrambled and ran and dove for the first down. It looked like he got it, but the officials marked him just short, setting up 4th-and-1. They went for it. They lulled the Browns to sleep, acting like they weren’t going for it. Then, with 7 seconds left on the playclock, they snapped it and completed the quick out to Hill for the first down. Ballgame.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30, New Orleans Saints 20

Tom Brady vs. Drew Brees didn’t really live up to the hype. Brees looked very much ready for retirement, rarely throwing the ball more than 10 yards downfield and finishing with only 134 yards passing and three interceptions to one touchdown. Michael Thomas, the Saints superstar wide receiver, didn’t even record a catch. The Bucs’ defense was very much up to the challenge. Devin White, Sean Murphy-Bunting, and Mike Edwards each had interceptions for TB.

Tom Brady was far from excellent, but he got the job done. Brady finished 18-of-33 for 199 yards passing with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Next up for the Bucs is a date in Lambeau Field with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. If Brady can’t stretch the field in the passing game, the Tampa defense is going to need to be almost perfect.

Here’s what our Bucs community wrote after the win:

1.) Devin White was a man possessed. Call it the Louisiana voodoo or just call it what it was - an All-Pro (level) player in his first playoff game after missing the last two weeks. Devin White was next level all game long. He led the team with eleven tackles, a fumble recovery, and had a huge interception that resulted in a Tom Brady touchdown to put the Bucs up 30-20. His speed, his awareness, his overall play was a big reason the defense was able to do what it did against the Saints and the fact that he was not only snubbed for the Pro Bowl but the All-Pro team as well was on full display on the biggest stage the Bucs have seen in nearly twenty years.

Byes: Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers

Saturday, January 9

Buffalo Bills 27, Indianapolis Colts 24

Super Wild Card weekend started with a bang on the heels of another pair of massive performances from the Bills duo of Josh Allen (324 yards passing, three total touchdowns) and Stefon Diggs (Six catches, 128 yards, touchdown). It was back and forth throughout, but the Colts rallied back from two scores down in the fourth quarter to give Philip Rivers and the Indy offense to tie or take the lead on the game’s final drive.

This game had it all whether it was absurd plays from Allen, highlight-reel catches along the sideline, and controversial calls from the officiating crew. The Bills will now host the highest-remaining AFC seed next weekend in the Divisional Round.

Here’s what our Bills community wrote on Allen after the game:

Josh Allen was much better today than last year in the postseason and looked like he had calmed down. He was patient, he found receivers down the field, he mostly avoided pressure. In short, he got the monkey off his back from the Houston Texans loss. He needs to buy Daryl Williams a steak dinner and a new car or something for recovering that late-game fumble, but Allen went 26-of-35 for 324 yards and 2 TDs through the air and led the team in rushing, carrying it 11 times for 54 yards and another score. When your QB adds 376 yards and three TDs, you’re probably gonna be ok.

Check out the takeaways to the playoff loss from our Colts community:

Of course, not all is bad for Colts fans. This team has made strides in a positive direction and overcome incredible adversity after Andrew Luck’s surprising retirement just weeks before the 2019 season. The defense has looked strong with the addition of DeForest Buckner. The offense still is still one of the best in the league. Rookie running back Jonathan Taylor looks dominant and rookie receiver Michael Pittman Jr. had a big game in the playoffs.

To this point, Chris Ballard has done an incredible job playing a tough hand and there’s reason to feel confident he’ll continue to do so. The Colts have a lot of players and possible change coming this season but they have a healthy budget sheet and there’s no doubt that Ballard’s binder has a plan for what comes next.

Los Angeles Rams 30, Seattle Seahawks 20

The Rams pulled off the upset win behind another dominant defensive performance and an inspired effort from quarterback Jared Goff. Los Angeles decided to start its regular backup, John Wolford, with Goff still recovering from hand surgery, but when Wolford was injured in the first quarter on a hit from Seahawks defensive back Jamal Adams, Goff was inserted back into the lineup. He finished the game with 9-of-19 for 155 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. The Rams’ offense was mostly powered by rookie running back Cam Akers, who ran for 131 yards and added 45 yards receiving.

Los Angeles’ defense controlled the game throughout. Cornerback Darious Williams intercepted a Russell Wilson screen pass and took it back for a touchdown, while Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd provided pressure with two sacks each. Donald did exit the game with injury, and didn’t return. LA also lost top wide out Cooper Kupp to injury during the fourth quarter. The Rams will now face the top-seeded Packers in the second round if the Saints beat the Bears on Sunday.

Here’s what our Rams community said about the win:

The Rams turned the ball over at least once in all 16 regular season games, but perhaps a conservative approach — and a lead throughout the contest — was just what the offense needed as they didn’t turn the ball once on Saturday.

Here’s what our Seahawks community wrote about the win:

This is a bitter pill to swallow. Russell Wilson was terrible and worse than his stats showed. DK Metcalf did get two touchdowns and Chris Carson ran hard like normal but otherwise Seattle was outplayed and just sloppy. Bad run defense, -2 in turnovers, tons of sacks allowed by the offensive line, tons of drops, it all sucked.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, Washington Football Team 23

The Bucs brought in Tom Brady to win playoff games, and the 43-year-old QB got the job done in his first playoff appearance outside of New England. Brady finished 22-of-40 for 381 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the wire-to-wire victory. Tampa Bay put up more than 500 yards of offense in the win. Veteran running back Leonard Fournette also played well, finishing with 93 yards rushing on 19 carries, and adding 39 yards receiving.

Washington made the playoffs at 7-9 as the winner of the NFC East, but impressed behind quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke threw for 306 yards, ran for a TD and threw for a TD in the loss. It’s the first time Tampa Bay has won an NFL playoff game since the franchise won the Super Bowl in Jan. of 2003.

Here’s what our Bucs community wrote after the win:

The Buccaneer offense had itself a solid night—especially considering the opponent it was facing. But it was Washington’s offense keeping the game close, with Taylor Heinicke playing the game of his life to give the Bucs a big scare. Even when Tampa Bay looked to have pulled away with nine minutes to go, Heinicke led a scoring drive that cut it back to a five-point game. In the end, though, the Buccaneer defense got the stop it needed to seal a 31-23 win that clinched a spot in the next round.

Our Washington community wrote this after the game:

While a very challenging and unpredictable year for Washington ends in defeat, this is a season that can not be called anything if not a success. The club faced turnover, turmoil, and adversity on and off the field, but a trip to the postseason in the first year under head coach Ron Rivera is truly remarkable and inspiring. While Alex Smith was unable to suit up, his leadership and veteran ability were essential in his return to football, in a year that he will be the runaway leader in the Comeback Player Of The Year Award.

There will be plenty of questions to answer in the offseason, but Washington’s performance in 2020 was a remarkable feat, and they conclude it with potential and intrigue at what will come next.

Sunday, January 10.

Baltimore Ravens 20, Tennessee Titans 13

Derrick Henry was barely able to make an impact for the Titans, rushing for 40 yards on 18 carries. It was a completely different story for Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson, who shredded the normally stout Tennessee defense for 137 yards and a score.

This game was close all afternoon, until Ryan Tannehill turned the ball over at the worst possible time. A fourth quarter interception on the potential game-tying drive was enough to let Baltimore close this one out.

It was unclear down the stretch if the Ravens had enough ammunition to make it to the postseason, but now they’re here they look extremely comfortable. While Baltimore may be carrying a low seed, that makes them all the more dangerous and could be a very difficult out for any team facing them moving forward.

Here’s what Baltimore Beatdown had to say:

Fans of the Ravens have waited a long time for a playoff win and they got one here today. They shut down Derrick Henry, eliminated AJ Brown, and sent the Titans home early. This is just the first notch in the belt for Lamar, as he will need to at least make it to an AFC Championship to shut his doubters up. Until then, enjoy the win.

New Orleans Saints 21, Chicago Bears 9

Good luck stopping the Saints when they’ve got a full deck of cards. After Drew Brees, Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara all missed time in the regular season for various reasons, all three shined as the Saints cruised to a 21-9 victory over the Bears.

Brees threw for 265 yards and two scores. Thomas caught five balls for 73 yards and a score. Kamara ran for 99 yards and a score. But the story of the game was the defense, which held the Bears to just three points until they got a garbage-time touchdown as time expired. They had just 140 total yards before their final possession.

Now that the Saints are healthy, they have what it takes to beat anyone left standing. That will be put to the test when they face Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round.

Here’s what our Saints community wrote about the looming matchup with the Bucs:

Say what you want about Brady this season, but his playoff record speaks for itself. With 31 wins, he holds the NFL record for playoff wins. That is not someone I prefer to face over Jared Goff, or Russell Wilson at that. Moreover, the fanbase will likely have a collective heart attack over the calls that will inevitably go Tampa Bay’s way.

That all said, this is exactly where the Saints want to be. Underdogs. There’s palpable sense of Déjà vu of the Week 9 narrative where no one gave New Orleans and Drew Brees a shot against the Immortal Brady. Here’s their shot to prove it for the first time ever on the postseason stage.

Cleveland Browns 48, Pittsburgh Steelers 37

The Browns were missing their head coach and All-Pro guard because of Covid protocol, but they still came out on fire in their first playoff game in 18 years. Cleveland scored a defensive touchdown on the very first play of the game, and eventually built a 28-0 lead. Pittsburgh would answer with 17 straight points, but the comeback attempt fell apart. Cleveland is onto the divisional round.

Baker Mayfield finished 21-of-34 passing for 263 yards and three touchdowns to no interceptions. It’s the Browns’ first win in Pittsburgh since 2003.

Sunday, January 24

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, Green Bay Packers 26

The Bucs took control early and were able to hang on late because of multiple miscues by Green Bay. Tom Brady finished 20-of-36 for 280 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions, making several bad throws but doing enough to get the win. The Bucs have won three straight road games to become the first team in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl when it’s hosted in its home stadium.

Green Bay’s decision to kick a 26-yard field goal down eight points with 2:37 left was the biggest play of the game. Why did Packers coach Matt LaFleur take the ball out of Rodgers hands when his offense still would have needed a stop and a touchdown to win? Green Bay didn’t get its stop when Tampa picked up a critical third down on a pass interference call. It’s another devastating loss for Rodgers on a big stage, but it sure feels like this one wasn’t his fault.

Here’s what our Bucs community wrote after the game:

The Bucs were already underdogs early last week when the matchup was set, but they were perhaps even bigger underdogs come gameday. Antonio Brown couldn’t suit up due to a knee injury, plus Antoine Winfield Jr. was a late scratch due to an ankle injury he picked up in practice this past week. The Packers were officially three-point favorites, with ESPN’s FPI giving them a 53.2% chance to win the game and spoil the Bucs’ chances of being the first team to play for the Lombardi Trophy in its home stadium.

The Bucs were already underdogs early last week when the matchup was set, but they were perhaps even bigger underdogs come gameday. Antonio Brown couldn’t suit up due to a knee injury, plus Antoine Winfield Jr. was a late scratch due to an ankle injury he picked up in practice this past week. The Packers were officially three-point favorites, with ESPN’s FPI giving them a 53.2% chance to win the game and spoil the Bucs’ chances of being the first team to play for the Lombardi Trophy in its home stadium.

Kansas City Chiefs 38, Buffalo Bills 24

There’s no stopping Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. The reigning Super Bowl champs have made it back to the big game behind another impressive performance in every phase of the game. Mahomes finished the night 29-of-38 for 325 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Travis Kelce (118 yards) and Tyreek Hill (172 yards) were again his main targets.

Josh Allen was impressive at times in defeat, but the Chiefs are a step ahead of everyone else in the AFC. Now we’ll find out if they can be the first team to win consecutive Super Bowls since the Patriots in 2003 and 2004.