What is the current NFL play-off picture?

The Detroit Lions hammered the Minnesota Vikings in the final game of the season to grab the top seed in the NFC, meaning they join the Kansas City Chiefs in sitting out the first round.

The top four seeds are division winners, and you can see why some think that should be changed when the Vikings, Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers all have better records than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams but have to play away games first up.

AFC seedings (season record)

1. Chiefs (15-2) 2. Bills (13-4) 3. Ravens (12-5) 4. Texans (10-7) 5. Chargers (11-6) 6. Steelers (10-7) 7. Broncos (10-7)

NFC seedings

1. Lions (15-2) 2. Eagles (14-3) 3. Buccaneers (10-7) 4. Rams (10-7) 5. Vikings (14-3) 6. Commanders (12-5) 7. Packers (11-6)

How do the play-offs work?

Basically, the Chiefs and Lions sit out Wildcard Weekend, then they will play at home for as long as they remain in the play-offs.

The pair will host the lowest remaining seeds in the Divisional Round, with the next highest seed hosting the fourth and final team in the other game.

And that is repeated in the final round, with the highest remaining seed playing at home in the Conference Championships – effectively the Super Bowl semi-finals.

NFL play-offs bracket & schedule

Saturday, 11 January

AFC – Los Angeles Chargers (5) at Houston Texans (4), 21:30 GMT

AFC – Pittsburgh Steelers (6) at Baltimore Ravens (3), 01:00 GMT (Sunday morning)

Sunday, 12 January

• AFC – Denver Broncos (7) at Buffalo Bills (2), 18:00 GMT

• NFC – Green Bay Packers (7) at Philadelphia Eagles (2), 21:30 GMT

• NFC – Washington Commanders (6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3), 01:00 GMT (Monday morning)

Monday, 13 January

NFC – Minnesota Vikings (5) at Los Angeles Rams (4), 01:00 GMT (Tuesday morning)