Well, I stand corrected.
I predicted the 49ers would use home field to their advantage to take the #1 seed from the Seahawks. I was wrong. I predicted the Ravens would knock the Steelers out. Wrong again. And I predicted the Panthers would win their way in. They didn't... but they got in anyway, thanks to some help from the Falcons.
Week 18 was absolute madness. The Seattle Seahawks are the Kings of the NFC, securing the #1 seed and forcing the 12-5 49ers on the road. The Denver Broncos held serve to lock up the AFC's top spot. The field of 14 is finally set, and the schedule is loaded.
Here is the official 2025-26 NFL Wild Card Weekend schedule and a look at the matchups.
Saturday, January 10
#5 Los Angeles Rams @ #4 Carolina Panthers
Kickoff: 4:30 PM ET (FOX)
- The Storyline: The Panthers are the first 8-9 team to host a playoff game in years, thanks to that NFC South title. They welcome a battle-tested Rams team that has been hot down the stretch. Carolina will be a home underdog, but can their defense slow down the LA passing attack?
- My Prediction: I know the Rams have been here before and are likely the better team, but I there is something that is making me lean towards the Panthers pulling a massive upset. If Bryce Young can make some plays and not make any mistakes I think this can happen. Not to mention, they already beat this Rams team at Bank of America stadium back in November. I think they do it again and shock the world.
#7 Green Bay Packers @ #2 Chicago Bears
Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET (Amazon Prime Video)
- The Storyline: You couldn't script a better Saturday night. The oldest rivalry in football. Soldier Field. Playoff atmosphere. Caleb Williams has led Chicago to a massive #2 seed, but now he has to exorcise the franchise's demons against the Packers to advance. I feel like the only think that would make this better is if the game was at Lambeau, but it will still be fun nonetheless.
- My Prediction: This is where it gets tricky for me. I am a Packers fan and have been for 30 years. My heart says Packers...but unfortunately my mind says Bears. Green Bay enters the playoffs on a 4 game losing streak. The Bears enter on a 2 game losing streak, however they won the most recent matchup between the two teams back in Week 16. The Packers offense just hasn't felt right to me in a little while. As much as it pains me to say, I think the Bears take care of business at home and defeat the Packers.
Sunday, January 11
#6 Buffalo Bills @ #3 Jacksonville Jaguars
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET (CBS)
- The Storyline: Two of the league's premier quarterbacks square off in Duval. Josh Allen and the Bills fell to the #6 seed after a tough finish, but they are a dangerous road team. Trevor Lawrence and the Jags have the home crowd, but this feels like a shootout waiting to happen.
- My Prediction: These are two of the most explosive offenses in the league. I expect points to be put up in this one. The Bills might be one of the most dangerous 6 seeds of all time. The Jaguars are in the playoffs for the first time since 2022, and it feels like Trevor Lawrence has finally turned into what we all expected from him. The Bills could probably beat anybody, but I just don't like this matchup for them. And I think the Jaguars will come ready to play and with a chip on their shoulder. I feel bad for Josh Allen, but I think another promising season and playoff berth will end short for the Bills.
#6 San Francisco 49ers @ #3 Philadelphia Eagles
Kickoff: 4:30 PM ET (FOX)
- The Storyline: The heavyweight fight of the weekend. A rematch of the bitter 2022 NFC Championship Game. The 49ers won 12 games but lost the division, forcing them to travel to face a physical Eagles team. This doesn't feel like a 3 vs. 6 matchup—it feels like a Conference Championship game in Round 1.
- My Prediction: Everyone is looking at the 49ers' 12-win record, but I think the travel and the environment catch up to them. The Eagles have been waiting for this rematch. Their defensive line is going to control the line of scrimmage, and I don't think the Niners can keep up on the scoreboard. It stays close for a half, but Philly pulls away late to make a statement.
#7 Los Angeles Chargers @ #2 New England Patriots
Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET (NBC)
- The Storyline: Justin Herbert heads to Foxborough. The Patriots defense has been elite all season, anchoring their run to the #2 seed. The Chargers have the offensive firepower to pull the upset, but winning a night game at Gillette Stadium in January is one of the hardest tasks in sports.
- My Prediction: This is the classic "Unstoppable Force vs. Immovable Object." The Patriots defense is elite, and normally I wouldn't bet against them at home in January. But Justin Herbert is one of the few QBs with the talent to transcend scheme. I think this is a gritty, back-and-forth game, but the Chargers have just enough explosive plays in them to steal one on the road.
Monday, January 12
#5 Houston Texans @ #4 Pittsburgh Steelers
Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET (ESPN/ABC)
- The Storyline: C.J. Stroud vs. the Steel Curtain. Mike Tomlin's team found a way to win the AFC North ugly, earning them a home game at Acrisure Stadium. The Texans offense is electric, but can they handle the physicality of T.J. Watt and the Steelers defense in prime time?
- C.J. Stroud has been phenomenal, but the playoffs are a different animal—especially in Pittsburgh at night. The Steelers thrive in these ugly, physical games. I think the Houston offense struggles to find a rhythm against this pass rush, and the Steelers offense does just enough on the ground to control the clock and secure the win.