The 2012 NFL playoffs decided the champion of the 2011 season. They ran from January 7 to February 5, 2012, with 12 teams and 11 games. The New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI, beating the New England Patriots 21-17 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
2012 NFL playoff results
Wild Card Round
| Date | Game | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 7 | Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans | Texans 31-10 | Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Sat, Jan 7 | Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints | Saints 45-28 | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA |
| Sun, Jan 8 | Atlanta Falcons at (3) New York Giants | Giants 24-2 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
| Sun, Jan 8 | Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos | Broncos 29-23 (OT) | Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO |
Divisional Round
| Date | Game | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 14 | New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers | 49ers 36-32 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA |
| Sat, Jan 14 | Denver Broncos at New England Patriots | Patriots 45-10 | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA |
| Sun, Jan 15 | Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 20-13 | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD |
| Sun, Jan 15 | (3) New York Giants at Green Bay Packers | Giants 37-20 | Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI |
Conference Championships
| Date | Game | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jan 22 | Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots | Patriots 23-20 | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA |
| Sun, Jan 22 | (3) New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers | Giants 20-17 (OT) | Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA |
Super Bowl XLVI
| Date | Game | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Feb 5 | (3) New York Giants vs New England Patriots | Giants 21-17 | Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN |
Stadium names are shown as they are today. Seeds are shown where the NFL published them.
Who made the 2012 NFL playoffs?
12 teams qualified for the postseason after the 2011 regular season.
AFC
| Seed | Team | Record | Exit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | 12-4 | Lost Conference | |
| Houston Texans | 10-6 | Lost Divisional | |
| Denver Broncos | 8-8 | Lost Divisional | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 12-4 | Lost Wild Card | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 9-7 | Lost Wild Card | |
| New England Patriots | 13-3 | Lost Super Bowl |
NFC
| Seed | Team | Record | Exit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | New York Giants | 9-7 | Champion |
| New Orleans Saints | 13-3 | Lost Divisional | |
| San Francisco 49ers | 13-3 | Lost Conference | |
| Atlanta Falcons | 10-6 | Lost Wild Card | |
| Detroit Lions | 10-6 | Lost Wild Card | |
| Green Bay Packers | 15-1 | Lost Divisional |
Key facts from the 2012 postseason
- The champion entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the NFC with a 9-7 record.
- Road teams won 2 of 10 games before the Super Bowl.
- 2 games went to overtime.
- Biggest margin: the New England Patriots beat the Denver Broncos 45-10 (Divisional).
2012 NFL playoffs FAQ
Who won the 2012 NFL playoffs?
The New York Giants, who beat the New England Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI on February 5, 2012.
Where was Super Bowl XLVI played?
Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.
Who won the AFC Championship in 2012?
The New England Patriots beat the Baltimore Ravens 23-20.
Who won the NFC Championship in 2012?
The New York Giants beat the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 in overtime.
Which season were the 2012 playoffs part of?
The 2011 NFL season. Playoff games are played in January and February, so each postseason carries the following calendar year.