Wild Card Weekend: New Stars, Ancient Rivals Set for Super Bowl LX

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The 2025-26 NFL regular season has come to a close, leaving behind a playoff field that looks remarkably different from years past. With perennial titans like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson watching from home, the path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is wide open for a new generation of playmakers. Wild Card Weekend kicks off this Saturday, January 10, featuring six matchups across three days—headlined by the NFL’s oldest rivalry in Chicago and a massive quarterback transition in Pittsburgh.

Saturday, January 10: Rivalries and Mismatches

No. 5 Los Angeles Rams at No. 4 Carolina Panthers

Time/TV: 4:30 PM ET | FOX
The Story: Despite being the road team and the #5 seed, the Rams enter Charlotte as a staggering 10.5-point favorite. Matthew Stafford’s offense has been humming, but they face a Panthers team that has already beaten them once this year. Carolina’s defense will need to be perfect to stop a Rams team that many consider the most dangerous Wild Card entry in the field.
Injury Note: The Rams will be without RG Kevin Dotson (ankle), which could be the opening the Panthers’ pass rush needs.

No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Chicago Bears

Time/TV: 8:00 PM ET | Amazon Prime Video
The Story: A classic NFC North clash on the playoff stage. The Bears have undergone a massive resurgence to claim the #2 seed, while the Packers “snuck in” on the final day. All eyes are on Chicago’s defense, though they will be missing star DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (concussion).
Packers Watch: Green Bay is dealing with a laundry list of questionable starters, including tackle Zach Tom and receiver Dontayvion Wicks.

Sunday, January 11: The Sunday Slate

No. 6 Buffalo Bills at No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars

Time/TV: 1:00 PM ET | CBS
The Story: Reigning MVP Josh Allen takes his 12–5 Bills south to face a Jaguars team that has been the AFC’s most complete squad since November. Allen is 5-0 in his career during the Wild Card round, but he faces a Jacksonville defense that specializes in taking away the deep ball.

No. 6 San Francisco 49ers at No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles

Time/TV: 4:30 PM ET | FOX
The Story: A rematch of past NFC title games. The 49ers have been battle-tested by injuries all year, but remain a nightmare matchup for anyone when healthy. The Eagles, playing at the Linc, will look to exploit a Niners secondary that has looked vulnerable against elite vertical threats.

No. 7 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 2 New England Patriots

Time/TV: 8:00 PM ET | NBC
The Story: Justin Herbert (playing through a left hand injury) leads the “Bolts” into Foxborough. The Patriots have reclaimed their status as an AFC powerhouse this year, but a flu bug has recently swept through their locker room, leaving several key linemen like Garrett Bradbury and Vederian Lowe in doubt for Sunday night.

Monday, January 12: The Finale

No. 5 Houston Texans at No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers

Time/TV: 8:15 PM ET | ESPN/ABC
The Story: Perhaps the most intriguing matchup of the weekend. The Steelers’ move to bring in Aaron Rodgers has paid dividends, as he looks to lead Pittsburgh on one last deep playoff run. They face a high-flying Texans squad led by C.J. Stroud.
X-Factor: T.J. Watt is reportedly “good to go” despite a lung injury earlier this month, setting up a massive test for the Texans’ offensive line.

The Top Seeds: Watching from the Bye

While twelve teams battle it out this weekend, the Seattle Seahawks (NFC) and Denver Broncos (AFC) will be resting.

Seattle: Led by a rejuvenated Sam Darnold and star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks hold home-field advantage through the NFC bracket.
Denver: Under Sean Payton, second-year QB Bo Nix has turned the Broncos into a “clutch” machine, leading the league in fourth-quarter comebacks this season.