2004–05 NFL playoffs
The National Football League playoffs for the 2004 season began on January 8, 2005. The postseason tournament concluded with the New England Patriots defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, 24–21, on February 6, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.
| Dates | January 8–February 6, 2005 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 2004 | ||||
| Teams | 12 | ||||
| Games played | 11 | ||||
| Super Bowl XXXIX site | |||||
| Defending champions | New England Patriots | ||||
| Champions | New England Patriots | ||||
| Runners-up | Philadelphia Eagles | ||||
| Conference runners-up | |||||
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The Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Rams became the first teams to win a playoff game despite finishing the regular season with a record of .500 or worse, as both posted an 8–8 record in the regular season. Minnesota defeated the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card round. Four other teams have since won a playoff game despite a regular season record at or below .500.
With the St. Louis Rams and Atlanta Falcons facing each other in the NFC Divisional playoffs, the St. Louis Rams became the first team in NFL history to face every team within their respective conference in the postseason at least once.