The 2020 NFL playoff picture was finalized on Sunday, with many outcomes determining the seeding for next weekend’s Wild Card round.
Beginning with the NFC, it was the San Francisco 49ers who clinched the No. 1 seed following their thrilling 26-21 win over the rival Seattle Seahawks in Week 17 on Sunday Night Football.
The Seahawks had a golden opportunity late in the fourth quarter to steal a win, but a costly delay of game penalty stunted any momentum on their side. As a result, they will now travel to Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round.
The Green Bay Packers also solidified a first-round bye next weekend with their comeback win over the Detroit Lions, holding off the New Orleans Saints from potentially leapfrogging them in the standings.
New Orleans, who earned the No. 3 seed, will now host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, looking to redeem themselves after a heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Rams in last year’s NFC Championship Game.
As for the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens were afforded the luxury of resting most of their starters in Week 17 after already clinching the No. 1 seed.
The New England Patriots were in the driver’s seat to potentially come away with a first-round bye of their own, but suffered a stunning 27-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, dropping them to the No. 3 seed.
It marks the first time in 10 years that the Patriots failed to clinch one of the top-two seeds in the AFC playoff picture. The Kansas City Chiefs were the beneficiary, moving up to the No. 2 seed following their win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
The final Wild Card spot was also resolved with the Tennessee Titans defeating the rival Houston Texans, 35-14. The shorthanded Texans were resting most of their starters having already clinched the AFC South and return to action this Saturday for a matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Complete 2020 NFL Wild Card round schedule with available start times and TV information:
Saturday, Jan. 4
Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans, NRG Stadium, 1:35 p.m. PT (ESPN/ABC)
Tennessee Titans vs. New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium, 5:15 p.m. PT (CBS)
Sunday, Jan. 5
Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 10:05 a.m. PT (FOX)
Seattle Seahawks vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field, 1:40 p.m. PT (NBC)
