1988–89 NFL playoffs
| Dates | December 24, 1988 – January 22, 1989 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 1988 | ||||
| Teams | 10 | ||||
| Games played | 9 | ||||
| Super Bowl XXIII site | |||||
| Defending champions | Washington Redskins (did not qualify) | ||||
| Champion | San Francisco 49ers | ||||
| Runner-up | Cincinnati Bengals | ||||
| Conference runners-up | |||||
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The National Football League playoffs for the 1988 season began on December 24, 1988. The postseason tournament concluded with the San Francisco 49ers defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII, 20–16, on January 22, 1989, at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida.