The NFL playoffs are a thrilling time for football fans, with the best teams in the league competing for a spot in the Super Bowl. For those looking to catch all the action, understanding the TV schedule is crucial. The NFL playoffs typically start with the Wild Card Round, followed by the Divisional Round, the Conference Championships, and finally, the Super Bowl.
Wild Card Round
The Wild Card Round usually takes place over the first weekend of January, with six games spread across Saturday and Sunday, and sometimes a Monday night game. These games are broadcast across various networks, including NBC, CBS, FOX, and ESPN. The specific schedule, including which teams play and at what times, is typically released after the final week of the regular season, once playoff seeding is determined.
Divisional Round
Following the Wild Card Round, the winners proceed to the Divisional Round, which is held the next weekend. This round features four games, with the top seeds in each conference hosting the lowest remaining seeds. The Divisional Round games are also broadcast on NBC, CBS, FOX, and sometimes ESPN, depending on the teams and their markets.
Conference Championships
The Conference Championship games are played on the last Sunday of January, determining the AFC and NFC champions who will meet in the Super Bowl. These highly anticipated games are broadcast on CBS (for the AFC Championship) and FOX (for the NFC Championship), alternating years for the late game.
Super Bowl
The culmination of the NFL season is the Super Bowl, played on the first Sunday of February. The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched television events in the United States, broadcast on a rotating basis among CBS, NBC, and FOX. The network with the broadcasting rights changes each year, following a predetermined schedule agreed upon by the NFL and its broadcast partners.
TV Broadcast Details
- NBC: Often broadcasts Sunday night games during the regular season and holds rights to certain playoff games, including a Wild Card game and sometimes a Divisional Round matchup.
- CBS: Hosts AFC games during the regular season and typically broadcasts the AFC Championship game, alternating with NBC for the Super Bowl broadcast rights.
- FOX: Focuses on NFC games during the regular season and usually broadcasts the NFC Championship game, as well as the Super Bowl on a rotating basis with NBC and CBS.
- ESPN: Broadcasts Monday Night Football during the regular season and hosts a Wild Card game, often with alternate broadcasts available through its ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes channels for Spanish-speaking audiences.
Streaming Options
For fans who prefer or need to stream NFL playoff games, several options are available: - NFL Sunday Ticket: Offers streaming of live out-of-market games but typically requires a subscription and might have blackout restrictions for local games. - Hulu with Live TV: Includes channels like NBC, CBS, FOX, and ESPN, making it a comprehensive choice for NFL fans. - Amazon Prime Video: Has acquired rights to stream certain games, including Thursday Night Football during the regular season, but its playoff offerings may vary. - NFL App and Yahoo! Sports: Allow for streaming of local and primetime games on mobile devices and tablets.
Understanding the NFL playoffs TV schedule and knowing where and how to watch each game can enhance the viewing experience. Whether through traditional television broadcasts or streaming services, fans have numerous options to catch all the action of the NFL playoffs.
