AFC Playoffs: Same Teams, New Challenges Ahead!

The AFC Playoffs are heating up again as we gear up for the Divisional Round, and guess what? The same teams are back, ready to clash for supremacy! With familiar faces at the forefront, this year’s playoffs promise to deliver thrilling matchups and intense rivalries as the season continues to unfold.

NFL – The AFC Divisional Round Features a Familiar Lineup for the Second Year Running

When it comes to the AFC Playoffs, history has shown us that certain teams become fixtures in the postseason, slowly crafting a dynasty. Just think about the New England Patriots during the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady era, where they made the playoffs in an astounding 17 out of 19 years between 2001 and 2019!

A Lack of Fresh Faces in Recent AFC Playoffs

However, it’s not just one team dominating the playoffs anymore; a trio of franchises has emerged, consistently appearing in the wild-card rounds and even moving up to the Divisional Round for several seasons now.

No question, the Kansas City Chiefs, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, are among these mainstays, often showing up in January and making repeated Super Bowl appearances. After a well-deserved break for their starters, the Chiefs are eyeing a historic three-peat as they launch into the 2024-2025 AFC playoffs, with the Super Bowl LIX on the horizon come February 9.

What’s more exciting is how the Chiefs face the same opponents time and time again in the playoffs. Take their clashes with the Buffalo Bills; these games have turned into must-see events in the AFC Playoffs since the dawn of the 2020s! The Baltimore Ravens have also been regulars at this stage, often showcasing their skills in the Divisional Round and conference finals.

Another look at the Divisional weekend schedule: pic.twitter.com/nUJcN7XXpj

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2025

The current season exemplifies this trend, with the same four teams making it to the Divisional Round as last year. Last postseason, the Chiefs faced off against the Bills, while the Texans had their game with the Ravens. This year, the Bills will host the Ravens, and the Texans are set to challenge the Chiefs! While the matchups differ, the teams remain the same!

Is This a Passing Phase in the AFC Playoffs?

This 2024 season has split franchises into three distinct groups: a few serious Super Bowl contenders (like the Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, Lions, Eagles…), teams aiming for first-round playoff victories but lacking depth to move forward decisively, and a considerable number of teams struggling to even achieve five wins.

Yet, while this distribution holds true in both the AFC and NFC, the lock on the Divisional Round seems to be exclusive to the AFC. In the NFC last season, the four teams that reached the Divisional Round were the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with this season seeing only the Lions return from that list—a startling contrast to the AFC status quo!

We’re not here to throw shade at the AFC teams that continue to reach impressive heights year after year; they maintain a standard of excellence that deserves respect. However, a sense of predictability could start to wear on NFL fans if this pattern persists for another couple of years. But until then, let’s buckle up and enjoy the high-octane action these exceptional teams have in store for us next weekend!

Photo credit: © Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images