In many ways, the start of the NFL playoffs is similar to the first week of the regular season. There's a feeling of newness in the air, along with the optimism from fan bases that this might be the year when something special takes place.

The four NFC and four AFC division champions and six wild-card teams - the three non-division winners with the best records in each conference - will compete in a single elimination tournament. The final four will play in the AFC and NFC championship games on Jan.