Template:1988–89 NFL playoffs

Note: The Cincinnati Bengals (the AFC 1 seed) did not play the Houston Oilers (the 5 seed), nor did the Chicago Bears (the NFC 1 seed) play the Minnesota Vikings (the 4 seed), in the Divisional playoff round because those teams were in the same division.
Jan 1 – Rich Stadium
5 Houston 10
Dec 24 – Cleveland Stadium Jan 8 – Riverfront Stadium
2* Buffalo 17
AFC
5 Houston 24 2 Buffalo 10
Dec 31 – Riverfront Stadium
4 Cleveland 23 1 Cincinnati 21
AFC Championship
3 Seattle 13
Jan 22 – Joe Robbie Stadium
1* Cincinnati 21
Divisional playoffs
Wild Card playoffs A1 Cincinnati 16
Jan 1 – Candlestick Park
N2 San Francisco 20
Super Bowl XXIII
4 Minnesota 9
Dec 26 – Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Jan 8 – Soldier Field
2* San Francisco 34
NFC
5 LA Rams 17 2 San Francisco 28
Dec 31 – Soldier Field
4 Minnesota 28 1 Chicago 3
NFC Championship
3 Philadelphia 12
1* Chicago 20