We watched the NFL for 18 weeks, all the way back to the beginning of September 2025. So much has changed since then, and so many unexpected teams fought their way into playoff splits. This past weekend, we were treated to some of the greatest Wild Card football in recent history. Six teams were eliminated in big games across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Those games set up the Divisional round this upcoming weekend, which we will preview later. So, let’s recap those elite games.
#4 Carolina Panthers vs. #5 Los Angeles Rams
To be honest, barely anybody thought the Panthers would put up any fight. And for their performance, they deserve everyone’s respect. The Rams jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, but the Panthers began clawing back. At halftime, the Rams led 17-14. Barely into the fourth quarter, Carolina took its first lead of the game, 24-20. They would regain the lead with 2:39 left in the fourth, 31-27. But Los Angeles, led by Matthew Stafford, charged down the field and scored the decisive touchdown that would win them the game, 34-31. Stafford had an MVP-level performance that he has become accustomed to this season, with 304 passing yards and three touchdowns. They will move on to the Divisional round, where they play the Bears.
#2 Chicago Bears vs. #7 Green Bay Packers
This was a lopsided game for a while. The Bears looked incompetent through most of the game, especially the first half, when the Packers went into the locker rooms up 21-3 at halftime. But Chicago put together an unbelievable fourth quarter, scoring 25 points. Caleb Williams threw one of his two touchdowns with only 4:18 left in the game to make it a 27-24 contest. Then, Green Bay rushed down the field pretty quickly, but missed a 44-yard field goal that would have altered the game’s outcome. Instead, the Bears got the ball back and scored on a drive that lasted just over a minute. This touchdown would put them up 31-27 and eventually result in a win. The comeback victory for the windy city has moved them on to the next round, where they will host the Rams.
#3 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. #6 Buffalo Bills
In a year of playoffs without Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, or Patrick Mahomes, the weight is definitely on Josh Allen’s shoulders to finally secure that coveted Super Bowl ring. The Jaguars and the Bills were locked in a tight, back-and-forth game. Entering the fourth quarter, Jacksonville led 13-10. But this was where the excitement started. The Jaguars scored, then Buffalo scored, then the Jaguars scored again to go up 24-20. Now, with four minutes left, Josh Allen needed another MVP-caliber drive to move on to the next round. Thanks to a big 36-yard pass during that drive, the Bills were able to score, giving them a 27-24 lead. However, Jacksonville received the ball back, but they threw an interception to Cole Bishop on the first play, ending the game. This Buffalo victory brings them on to the next round, where they face a tough challenge against the Broncos defense.
#3 Philadelphia Eagles vs. #6 San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are an amazing team, but I couldn’t have seen a world where the Eagles would actually lose. But that was the world that we were left in after the 49ers beat them 23-19. Philadelphia had control with a 16-10 lead going into the fourth quarter. But San Francisco scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, both by Christian McCaffrey. The Eagles had time to score and made a drive down field. But they were unable to score, with their fourth-down pass falling incomplete. Kyle Shanahan’s team will play its heated rival, the Seattle Seahawks, in the Divisional round.
#2 New England Patriots vs. #7 Los Angeles Chargers
The Patriots game was a step away from the craziness that had defined the playoffs through Saturday and most of Sunday. Instead, they beat the Chargers in a low-scoring 16-3 game. New England’s defense punished Los Angeles’s offense all night, forcing a fumble and sacking Justin Herbert six times. In year one of the Mike Vrabel era, the Pats will move on to host the Texans.
#4 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. #5 Houston Texans
The game was close for the first half. That’s really all I can say that makes the Steelers feel alright. But the Texans were in control the whole way, and they truly showed it in the fourth quarter, when they scored 23 unanswered points. The Houston defense forced a fumble, sacked Aaron Rodgers four times, and intercepted a pass that they would return for a touchdown. Pittsburgh’s offense looked awful throughout, as they were unable to find the endzone. The Texans would end up winning 30-6. Houston will go on to play the Patriots in the next round. Legendary Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin also resigned following this game; Tomlin was Pittsburgh’s head coach for 19 seasons and was only the third head coach the team had since 1969.
The Divisional round schedule is set:
On Saturday, it is the Bills vs. the Broncos, and the 49ers vs. the Seahawks.
On Sunday, it is the Texans vs. the Patriots, and the Rams vs. the Bears
There are plenty of amazing storylines, especially on Saturday. The Broncos, now the #1 seed in the AFC, get another shot at the Bills in this rematch from last year’s playoffs. The Broncos enter as the very slight favorites in what should be an extremely close game. The Bills offense vs. the Broncos defense should make for an exciting game.
The Seahawks vs. 49ers will be a rematch from their Week 18 showdown. The Seahawks are the most complete team in the NFL, with a top defense and an offense that could go for 35 points any given night, depending on Sam Darnold’s circumstances. The 49ers, on the other hand, are fresh off a victory over the Eagles and look to continue that momentum against their NFC West rival.
The Texans vs. Patriots game should be very interesting. Hosuton’s defense will be extremely challenging for Drake Maye to play against. If I had to guess, this would be the lowest-scoring game of the weekend.
The Rams vs. Bears is the matchup of the high-powered offenses. Expect this one to be a shootout, as these two teams have some of the best offenses in the whole league. Caleb Williams vs. Matthew Stafford will be an elite face-off to watch.
My picks for this weekend: Broncos, Seahawks, Texans, Bears.
