Recap Of Wild Card Weekend 2026

Rams vs. Panthers:

The Rams beat the Panthers 34–31 in a very close and exciting game that went back and forth all night. Both teams kept scoring, and neither could pull away. There were four different lead changes in the quarter alone. In the final minutes, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford led a strong drive and threw a late touchdown pass that gave the Rams the lead for good. Carolina tried to respond but ran out of time, ending their season in a tough loss. 

Packers vs. Bears:

The Bears pulled off a big comeback win, beating the Packers 31–27 after trailing For the entire game coming into the 4th quarter down by 15. Green Bay was in  control of the whole game for the first three quarters, but Chicago’s offense came alive in the 4th quarter. Second year quarterback Caleb Williams played confident late in the game, throwing a game-winning touchdown in the end. The Bears’ defense held on in the final moments to seal a dramatic rivalry victory.

Bills vs. Jaguars:

The Bills survived a hard-fought battle against the Jaguars, winning 27–24 in a game that stayed close the entire time. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen made key plays with both his arm and his legs putting his team on his back after going through a bunch of little injuries in the first half, including a late rushing touchdown that put the Bills ahead. Jacksonville had one last chance to tie the game, but Buffalo’s defense stood strong and closed it out. 

49ers vs. Eagles:

San Francisco beat Philadelphia 23–19 in a tight, physical matchup. The 49ers controlled the game with steady offense and strong defense, while the Eagles struggled to score touchdowns. Philadelphia made it close late, but the 49ers had a huge stop on 4th down deflecting Jalen Hurts pass to get the ball back and get the win. 

Patriots vs. Chargers:

The Patriots earned a low-scoring 16–3 win over the Chargers in a game dominated by defense. New England limited the Chargers’ offense and forced mistakes, while their own offense did just enough to stay ahead. The patriots defense came up with big drive after drive with a bunch of huge stops to take control. The Chargers never found momentum, and the Patriots comfortably advanced with a disciplined performance.

Texans vs. Steelers:

The Texans crushed the Steelers 30–6 in a game that was close for the majority of the game until the final quarter. Houston’s defense pressured the quarterback all night, while their offense consistently moved the ball and scored. Pittsburgh struggled to get anything going and fell behind early in the 4th quarter, never recovering. The Texans finished strong and earned a statement playoff win.

Previews For The Divisional Round

After this weekend in the NFL playoffs, things are really heating up and there’s a lot to look forward to. A bunch of teams are still fighting to get to the Super Bowl, and every game coming up should be super exciting. In the AFC playoffs, the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots both had great seasons and are playing in the next round, and so are the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans. In the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, and Philadelphia Eagles are still alive and trying to make it to the big game.

Players to watch include the big quarterbacks and stars who make big plays. For example, the Patriots’ MVP candidate QB, Drake Maye, has been impressive throwing the ball. The Texans’ strong defense putting on a show, and the Broncos’ offense is playing every game down to the wire. There are also 7 QB’s that are still alive that can earn their first ring. The question is who wants it more?

What makes the next few weeks fun is that every team left wants to be the last one standing. That means we get close games, big touchdowns, and awesome plays that people will be talking about. Fans everywhere will be cheering, yelling at the TV, and making predictions about who will end up in the Super Bowl. Whether it’s big hits from Devon Witherspoon, amazing catches from Stefon Diggs, or kickers missing important field goals, this part of the season is the best part to watch live or with your friends. 

Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills: 

Chace: I got the Broncos. Yes, they sometimes decide to start playing in the 4th quarter, but Bo Nix is just getting warmed up. Bo losing to the Bills last year in the Wild Card round stuck with him and this fueled him to lead his team to the Superbowl back in California. 

New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans:

Chace: I got the Houston Texans because their defense has been dominant, being ranked the 2nd defense in the NFL to allow points on the board. Defense wins championships and that’s what CJ Stroud needs in order to beat the Pats.

Roland: PATRIOTS WIN!!!

Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers: 

Chace: I got the Seahawks. This 2025 Seahawks’ defense is the “Legion of Boom” all over again. Devon Witherspoon, hard-hitting machine, the whole D-line, getting off the ball as soon as the center flinches, and an outstanding performance by the rookie Nick Emmanwori really put his name out there. On the other side of the ball, JSN and Sam Darnold have a strong connection to dice up the 49ers’ defense.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears:

Chace: I got the Bears. People might choose Rams, but this Bears team is something. They have never won a superbowl. Caleb Williams wants to change that and the Bears have been playing their best games since the ‘85 Bears team. They are a sleeper team, and the Rams aren’t going to know what hit them.