The NFL postseason has grown into a crowded stage, shaped by expanded formats and shifting competitive lines. Each year, a broad mix of contenders edges into the chase, turning the league’s final stretch into a test of depth and quiet resilience.

Seasons build toward this moment, where division races tighten and wild-card hopes flicker late into winter. Some teams arrive polished, others patched together, but all carry the same possibility as the bracket begins to take its unmistakable shape.

Once the field settles, the real grind starts. Matchups fall into place, seeding reveals its weight, and margins shrink to a handful of snaps. What follows is the slow, unforgiving climb that defines the NFL’s postseason drama year after year.

How the field is set: NFL’s 14-team playoff format

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