Template:1971–72 NFL playoffs

Note: Prior to the 1975 season, the home teams in the playoffs were decided based on a yearly rotation of division winners. Had the playoffs been seeded, the divisional round matchups would have been #3 Cleveland at #2 Miami and #4 wild card Baltimore at #1 Kansas City in the AFC; #4 wild card Washington at #1 Minnesota and #3 San Francisco at #2 Dallas in the NFC.
Dec 26 – Candlestick Park
WC Washington 20
Jan 2 – Texas Stadium
West San Francisco 24
NFC
West San Francisco 3
Dec 25 – Metropolitan Stadium
East Dallas 14
NFC Championship
East Dallas 20
Jan 16 – Tulane Stadium
Cent. Minnesota 12
Divisional playoffs
NFC Dallas 24
Dec 26 – Cleveland Stadium
AFC Miami 3
Super Bowl VI
WC Baltimore 20
Jan 2 – Miami Orange Bowl
Cent. Cleveland 3
AFC
WC Baltimore 0
Dec 25 – Municipal Stadium
East Miami 21
AFC Championship
East Miami 27**
West Kansas City 24


** Indicates double overtime victory