The Playoff Field Is Set
After 18 weeks of drama, the NFL playoffs are finally here. Six Wild Card games spread across three days will kick off the road to Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 8.
This year's field features some surprising names. The Panthers are in the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The Patriots have won 13 of their last 14 games. The Bears are hosting a playoff game for the first time in years. Six teams that missed the postseason last year are dancing this January.
The Seahawks and Broncos have first-round byes. Everyone else has to earn their way to the Divisional Round. Let's break down every game.
Saturday 4:30 PM ET: Rams at Panthers (FOX)
The Matchup
The Rams are the biggest favorites of Wild Card Weekend, laying 10.5 points against Carolina. That's a massive spread for a playoff game. Vegas is essentially saying this one won't be close.
Los Angeles finished 12-5 and enters as the NFC's fifth seed. They're healthy, experienced, and have been here before. Matthew Stafford knows what playoff football feels like. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua give him two elite targets. The Rams' defense has been solid down the stretch.
Why the Panthers Are Here
Carolina's turnaround has been one of the league's best stories. They went 2-15 last season. Now they're hosting a playoff game. Bryce Young finally looks like the first overall pick, completing 68% of his passes over the final six weeks. The defense has been better than anyone expected.
But the Panthers are young and inexperienced in January football. Most of their roster has never played a playoff snap. That matters when the lights get bright.
The Prediction
The Rams have too much firepower. Stafford picks apart Carolina's secondary, and the Rams' pass rush gets to Young early and often. Los Angeles covers comfortably.
Rams 31, Panthers 17
Saturday 8:00 PM ET: Packers at Bears (Amazon Prime)
The Rivalry Renewed
This is the third meeting in a month between these NFC North rivals. Green Bay won 28-21 at Lambeau on December 7. Chicago rallied for a 22-16 overtime victory at Soldier Field on December 20. The rubber match is for all the marbles.
The Bears are 6-1 in their last seven home games. That includes the overtime win over Green Bay three weeks ago. Soldier Field in January is a different animal. The cold, the wind, the crowd. Chicago knows how to win there.
The Packers' Problems
Green Bay is limping into the playoffs. They've lost four of their last five games. Jordan Love missed the last two with a concussion and is expected to return, but how sharp will he be? Head coach Matt LaFleur is under pressure. The Packers have lost four of their last five playoff games. Another early exit could cost him his job.
Love threw for 3,389 yards and 25 touchdowns this season when healthy. But he also threw 11 interceptions. In big moments, he's been inconsistent. That's a problem against a Bears defense that forces turnovers.
Chicago's Moment
The Bears have waited a long time for this. Their defense has been the story all season. They're physical, they tackle well, and they create chaos. Caleb Williams has matured as the season progressed. He's not making the rookie mistakes he made in September.
The betting line is essentially a pick'em, with Green Bay favored by just 1.5 points. That tells you everything. This game could go either way.
The Prediction
Home field matters in this rivalry. The Bears are playing better football right now. Love returning from a concussion against a defense that hits hard is a recipe for trouble. Chicago wins another close one.
Bears 23, Packers 20
Sunday 1:00 PM ET: Bills at Jaguars (CBS)
The Shootout Setup
The over/under in this game is 52 points, the highest of Wild Card Weekend. Oddsmakers expect fireworks. Both teams can score. Neither defense has been dominant. Get your popcorn ready.
Jacksonville enters on an eight-game winning streak. Trevor Lawrence has been fantastic down the stretch, throwing 18 touchdowns against just three interceptions during the run. The Jaguars' ground game with Travis Etienne has been relentless. They're averaging 28 points per game since November.
Buffalo's Offensive Firepower
The Bills have Josh Allen. That's usually enough. Allen threw for 4,112 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. He's also rushed for over 500 yards. When he's on, Buffalo is nearly unstoppable.
But Buffalo is the sixth seed for a reason. They've been inconsistent. Their defense has given up too many big plays. They've lost games they shouldn't have lost. Allen can carry them, but he can't do it alone.
The Line
Buffalo is favored by just 1.5 points on the road. That's remarkable for a team with Allen at quarterback. Vegas is telling us the Jaguars are for real. Jacksonville's home crowd will be electric. They haven't hosted a playoff game with this kind of buzz in years.
The Prediction
This one comes down to the final possession. Lawrence and Allen trade haymakers all afternoon. Jacksonville's home field advantage is the difference. The Jaguars' eight-game streak continues.
Jaguars 34, Bills 31
Sunday 4:30 PM ET: 49ers at Eagles (FOX)
NFC Heavyweights
Two years ago, these teams met in the NFC Championship. Philadelphia won and went to the Super Bowl. Now they meet again in the Wild Card round. Both franchises expected to be higher seeds. Both are dangerous.
The Eagles are 4.5-point favorites at home. Jalen Hurts has been excellent this season, throwing 28 touchdowns and rushing for another nine. Saquon Barkley has been everything Philadelphia hoped for when they signed him. The Eagles' offensive line is still one of the best in football.
San Francisco's Injury Questions
The 49ers have been bitten by the injury bug again. Brock Purdy has played through various ailments. Christian McCaffrey missed significant time. Deebo Samuel hasn't been himself. When healthy, San Francisco is a Super Bowl contender. The question is whether they're healthy enough right now.
Kyle Shanahan is one of the best coaches in football. He'll have a game plan. George Kittle is still elite. The 49ers' defense can still disrupt. But Philadelphia at home in January is a tough ask for any team.
The Prediction
The Eagles are healthier and playing at home. Hurts and Barkley control the game with a physical rushing attack. San Francisco hangs around but can't get enough stops late.
Eagles 27, 49ers 21
Sunday 8:00 PM ET: Chargers at Patriots (NBC/Peacock)
The Quarterback Showcase
This might be the most fun matchup of the weekend. Drake Maye versus Justin Herbert. Two of the best young quarterbacks in football going head to head. Maye is just 23. Herbert is 26. They'll be doing this for the next decade.
The Patriots have been the league's biggest surprise. They've won 13 of their last 14 games after starting 0-4. Maye has been sensational, throwing for 3,876 yards and 29 touchdowns. New England's defense has been stout. They're 3.5-point favorites at home.
The Chargers' Challenge
Los Angeles earned a Wild Card spot despite being just the AFC's seventh seed. Herbert has done everything asked of him, throwing for 4,201 yards and 32 touchdowns. The problem is the Chargers haven't beaten anyone particularly impressive down the stretch.
Jim Harbaugh is in his second year with the Chargers. He's built a physical team that runs the ball and plays defense. But Foxborough in January is different. The Patriots know how to win playoff games at home.
The Prediction
Maye is special, and he's playing at home. The Patriots' defense creates enough pressure on Herbert to force a couple of crucial mistakes. New England's magical season continues.
Patriots 24, Chargers 20
Monday 8:00 PM ET: Texans at Steelers (ESPN/ABC)
The Streaks Collide
Houston has won nine straight games. Pittsburgh just clinched the AFC North with a 26-24 win over Baltimore. Both teams are hot. Something has to give.
But here's the catch. The Steelers have lost six straight playoff games. The Texans are 0-6 all-time in road playoff games. One of those streaks ends Monday night.
Houston's Dominance
The Texans have the NFL's top-ranked total defense, allowing just 277.2 yards per game. C.J. Stroud has been outstanding in his second season, making all the throws and limiting mistakes. DeMeco Ryans has built a team that wins with defense and smart quarterback play. They're 3-point road favorites.
Houston's nine-game winning streak includes wins over good teams. They haven't just been beating up on bad opponents. The Texans are legit.
Pittsburgh's Playoff Demons
The Steelers haven't won a playoff game since January 2017. That's eight years without a postseason victory. Mike Tomlin is one of the best coaches in football, but that streak hangs over this franchise.
Aaron Rodgers has been solid this season, completing 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns. At 41, he's still got it. But can he break Pittsburgh's playoff curse?
The over/under is just 39.5 points, the lowest of any Wild Card game. Expect a grind-it-out defensive battle.
The Prediction
Houston's defense is too good. The Texans' streak of road playoff futility ends, while Pittsburgh's postseason losing streak continues. Stroud outplays Rodgers in a low-scoring affair.
Texans 20, Steelers 17
The Full Wild Card Predictions
Saturday
Rams 31, Panthers 17
Bears 23, Packers 20
Sunday
Jaguars 34, Bills 31
Eagles 27, 49ers 21
Patriots 24, Chargers 20
Monday
Texans 20, Steelers 17
The Road to the Super Bowl
The winners advance to the Divisional Round on January 17-18. The Seahawks await the lowest remaining NFC seed. The Broncos get the lowest remaining AFC seed. Conference Championship games are January 25. And Super Bowl LX is February 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
Six games. Six stories. One road to the Super Bowl. Let the playoffs begin.
How to Watch
Saturday, January 10
Rams at Panthers - 4:30 PM ET on FOX
Packers at Bears - 8:00 PM ET on Amazon Prime
Sunday, January 11
Bills at Jaguars - 1:00 PM ET on CBS
49ers at Eagles - 4:30 PM ET on FOX
Chargers at Patriots - 8:00 PM ET on NBC/Peacock
Monday, January 12
Texans at Steelers - 8:00 PM ET on ESPN/ABC
Sources
- ESPN - 2025 NFL Playoffs: Bracket, Schedule, Wild-Card Matchups
- CBS Sports - 2026 NFL Playoff Schedule: Dates, Times, Where to Watch
- NFL.com - NFL Reveals 2026 Wild Card Weekend Schedule
- CBS Sports - 2026 NFL Wild Card Odds, Bracket Picks, Score Predictions
- FOX Sports - 2026 NFL Playoff Schedule, Bracket
- Bleacher Report - NFL Playoff Schedule 2026, Wild Card Matchups
