NFL playoff bracket 2024: Breaking down matchups, schedule for AFC & NFC championship games

It used to be that all the extra rest was bad for playoff teams. That being the No. 1 seed was as much a curse as a benefit. 

Well, for the second straight year, the two No. 1 seeds are on to the conference championships. The 49ers mounted a comeback against the Packers to survive a monumental upset, and the Ravens steamrolled the Texans as both teams clinched home games at their respective stadiums eight days after divisional round victories.

They'll host a pair of teams that are just as battle-tested after wins on Sunday. The Lions survived an offensive showdown against the Buccaneers to reach the NFC championship for the first time since the 1991 season. The Chiefs won the latest duel between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, as a potential game-tying field goal veered wide right in the final two minutes of the game.

For the final time in the 2023 season, fans enjoyed multiple days in a week of football. Heading to next weekend's conference championships, both games will be held on Sunday as fans get to watch each team secure their spot in the Super Bowl in succession.

MORE: Watch NFL playoff games live with FuboTV (free trial)

Here's what you need to know about the AFC and NFC championship matchups.

NFL playoff bracket 2024

AFC

3. Kansas City Chiefs vs. 1. Baltimore Ravens

NFC

3. Detroit Lions vs. 1. San Francisco 49ers

NFL conference championship matchups

AFC

3. Kansas City Chiefs vs. 1. Baltimore Ravens

Mahomes has never missed an AFC championship game as a starter, and that streak isn't ending now. The Chiefs finally had to play a true playoff road game for the first time in the Mahomes era, and Kansas City survived it by topping the Bills. It has been an inconsistent campaign for the Chiefs, who struggled at times on offense. But here they are again, still alive with a chance to make it back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

The Ravens and Lamar Jackson have heard the questions in the past. Much ado has been made about Jackson's 1-3 record in the postseason coming into this year's playoffs. But after two weeks off, Baltimore went right back to dominating teams by rolling over the Texans in a 34-10 beatdown. Now, the city will host its first conference title game since 1971. The Ravens last reached the Super Bowl during the 2012 season, when it topped the team coached by John Harbaugh's brother, Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers.

Baltimore has been playing at an absurd level of late. Not counting a Week 18 loss to the Steelers in which the Ravens sat most of their starters, Baltimore has averaged a 33.9-19 margin of victory, and has won all of the past seven games during which it has started all its starters. The Chiefs are a playoff-tested team. But topping the red-hot Ravens will be easier said than done.

NFC

3. Detroit Lions vs. 1. San Francisco 49ers

These teams could not be much more different. The Lions are led by a former No. 1 overall pick and have largely been a downtrodden franchise looking for its first-ever Super Bowl victory. They are a team that embodies their head coach, trying to be the tougher team on the field at all times with the mindset of biting kneecaps. 

The 49ers are led by 2023's Mr. Irrelevant, but are in no ways an underdog. San Francisco has been in the NFC championship in now four of the past five seasons, and last reached a Super Bowl four years ago. The 49ers are a finesse team with speed and elusiveness at all levels, whose skill players form a dynamite weapon in large part because of the brilliant scheming of their coach.

All the pressure is going to be on San Francisco. The team's recent inability to finish sterling seasons with a Lombardi Trophy has become a sticking point for the team, while the Lions have a feeling of playing with house money as a young team that is just now starting to flex its muscles in the NFL. 

MORE NFL PLAYOFFS: AFC, NFC predictions | Power rankings

NFL playoff schedule 2024

The AFC championship will be the first game on Sunday, starting at 3 p.m. ET in Baltimore. Not long after that game ends, the NFC title game will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET in San Francisco.

Each year, the order of the title games alternate. Last year, the AFC capped off Sunday. This year, it will be the NFC wrapping up the day.

Sunday, Jan. 28