ALABAMA - With the 2023 NFL regular season now in the rearview mirror and the NFL Playoffs kicking off this weekend, The Latin Times brings you everything you need to know. Discover which teams made the cut, who stands a better chance of reaching Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas (Feb. 11), and, of course, learn about all the Latinos involved in the postseason.
The #NFLPlayoffs are set! pic.twitter.com/ZqfPEYLpI7
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2024
The Baltimore Ravens finished the regular season with the best record in the NFL (13-4) and will have homefield advantage all the way until the Conference Championship Game. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers secured the best record in the NFC (12-5) and earned a bye-week through to the divisional round.
The Dallas Cowboys also concluded the regular season with a 12-5 record but face a challenging Wild Card round matchup against the Green Bay Packers. America's team has not reached the NFC Championship game since winning their last Super Bowl in 1995. This year, the Cowboys boast the 4th-best odds to win the Super Bowl (+750), according to Vegas Insider, with only the 49ers having a better chance to clinch the NFC Championship pennant.
A few teams will have a shot at ending their Super Bowl droughts this year. Among them are the b, currently enduring a 28-year drought without a b. The Miami Dolphins also aspire to break their playoff misfortunes this season, with a 39-year drought without a Super Bowl appearance that continues to accumulate.
Other teams will find contentment with a playoff win, such as the Detroit Lions, currently enduring the longest active drought without a win in NFL history. The Lions have been in a 31-year playoff win drought, having lost nine consecutive playoff games, the longest streak in the NFL. Their last postseason victory came in 1991, thanks to the efforts of Hall of Famer Barry Sanders, as the Lions dominated the Dallas Cowboys with a 38-6 victory.
Just like the Lions, the Dolphins will hope to finally win a playoff game this season, as they currently hold the second-longest drought by an NFL team without a playoff win. In the 23 seasons since their last playoff win over the Colts in 2000, the Dolphins have lost each of their five playoff games, including last year's tough loss against the Buffalo Bills.
Latinos in the NFL Playoffs
Including players and coaching staff, a total of 10 individuals of Latin American descent will take part in this year's playoffs. The team with the most Latinos in their ranks are the San Francisco 49ers, with three players and one Latino coach. The reigning champions Kansas City Chiefs also count with a Latino in their club in Isiah Pacheco.
San Francisco 49ers
Alfredo Gutierrez (OL) — Mexican descent
Fred Warner (LB) — Mexican and Panamanian descent
Jonathan Feliciano (C) — Puerto Rican descent
Coaching staff: Miguel Reveles (Offensive Assistant) — Mexican descent
Cleveland Browns
Corey Bojorquez (Punter) — Mexican descent
Kansas City Chiefs
Isiah Pacheco (RB) — Puerto Rican descent
Miami Dolphins
Braxton Berrios (WR) — Puerto Rican descent
Philadelphia Eagles
Coaching staff: Michael Clay (Special Teams Coordinator) — Mexican descent
Detroit Lions
Malcolm Rodriguez (LB) — Mexican descent
Houston Texans
Troy Hairston (FB) — Panamanian descent
2023 NFL Playoff Schedule
Wild-card weekend: Jan. 13, 14 and 15
NFC
(7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Dallas Cowboys, Jan. 14
(6) Los Angeles Rams at (3) Detroit Lions, Jan. 14
(5) Philadelphia Eagles at (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jan. 15
Bye: (1) San Francisco 49ers
AFC
(5) Cleveland Browns at (4) Houston Texans, Jan. 13
(6) Miami Dolphins at (3) Kansas City Chiefs, Jan. 13
(7) Pittsburgh Steelers at (2) Buffalo Bills, Jan. 14
Bye: (1) Baltimore Ravens
Divisional round: Jan. 20-21
There will be four divisional-round games, two on Jan. 20, and two on Jan. 21. The 49ers will host the team with the lowest seed in the NFC while the Ravens will do the same in the AFC side of the bracket.
Conference championships: Jan. 28
The NFC and AFC championship games will be played at the homes of the highest remaining seeds for each conference.
Super Bowl LVIII: Feb. 11
Super Bowl LVIII will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 11. Usher will be this year's performer during the Halftime Show.
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