The 2004 NFL playoffs decided the champion of the 2003 season. They ran from January 3 to February 1, 2004, with 12 teams and 11 games. The New England Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVIII, beating the Carolina Panthers 32-29 at Reliant Stadium.
2004 NFL playoff results
Wild Card Round
| Date | Game | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 3 | (7) Tennessee Titans at (5) Baltimore Ravens | Titans 20-17 | |
| Sat, Jan 3 | (9) Dallas Cowboys at (4) Carolina Panthers | Panthers 29-10 | |
| Sun, Jan 4 | (10) Seattle Seahawks at (6) Green Bay Packers | Packers 33-27 (OT) | |
| Sun, Jan 4 | (8) Denver Broncos at (2) Indianapolis Colts | Colts 41-10 |
Divisional Round
| Date | Game | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 10 | (4) Carolina Panthers at (3) St. Louis Rams | Panthers 29-23 (OT) | |
| Sat, Jan 10 | (7) Tennessee Titans at (11) New England Patriots | Patriots 17-14 | |
| Sun, Jan 11 | (2) Indianapolis Colts at (1) Kansas City Chiefs | Colts 38-31 | |
| Sun, Jan 11 | (6) Green Bay Packers at (12) Philadelphia Eagles | Eagles 20-17 (OT) |
Conference Championships
| Date | Game | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jan 18 | (2) Indianapolis Colts at (11) New England Patriots | Patriots 24-14 | |
| Sun, Jan 18 | (4) Carolina Panthers at (12) Philadelphia Eagles | Panthers 14-3 |
Super Bowl XXXVIII
| Date | Game | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Feb 1 | (4) Carolina Panthers vs (11) New England Patriots | Patriots 32-29 | Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX |
Stadium names are shown as they are today. Seeds are shown where the NFL published them.
Who made the 2004 NFL playoffs?
12 teams qualified for the postseason after the 2003 regular season.
AFC
| Seed | Team | Record | Exit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City Chiefs | 13-3 | Lost Divisional |
| 2 | Indianapolis Colts | 12-4 | Lost Conference |
| 5 | Baltimore Ravens | 10-6 | Lost Wild Card |
| 7 | Tennessee Titans | 12-4 | Lost Divisional |
| 8 | Denver Broncos | 10-6 | Lost Wild Card |
| 11 | New England Patriots | 14-2 | Champion |
NFC
| Seed | Team | Record | Exit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | St. Louis Rams | 12-4 | Lost Divisional |
| 4 | Carolina Panthers | 11-5 | Lost Super Bowl |
| 6 | Green Bay Packers | 10-6 | Lost Divisional |
| 9 | Dallas Cowboys | 10-6 | Lost Wild Card |
| 10 | Seattle Seahawks | 10-6 | Lost Wild Card |
| 12 | Philadelphia Eagles | 12-4 | Lost Conference |
Key facts from the 2004 postseason
- The champion entered the playoffs as the No. 11 seed in the AFC with a 14-2 record.
- Lower seeds won 6 games before the Super Bowl.
- Road teams won 4 of 10 games before the Super Bowl.
- 3 games went to overtime.
- Biggest margin: the Indianapolis Colts beat the Denver Broncos 41-10 (Wild Card).
2004 NFL playoffs FAQ
Who won the 2004 NFL playoffs?
The New England Patriots, who beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII on February 1, 2004.
Where was Super Bowl XXXVIII played?
Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX.
Who won the AFC Championship in 2004?
The New England Patriots beat the Indianapolis Colts 24-14.
Who won the NFC Championship in 2004?
The Carolina Panthers beat the Philadelphia Eagles 14-3.
Which season were the 2004 playoffs part of?
The 2003 NFL season. Playoff games are played in January and February, so each postseason carries the following calendar year.