The NFL playoffs are here, and Wild Card Weekend is set with six games over three days, as 12 teams fight to join the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos in the next round.

Wild Card Overview

It took all 272 regular-season games to lock in this 14-team playoff field, leaving 18 teams done for the year while the rest move on. The schedule features two games on Saturday, three on Sunday, and one on Monday night, so every snap from here on out carries huge weight. Seattle and Denver, as the No. 1 seeds, get this weekend off while the other 12 teams try to survive and advance.

This Wild Card slate has a bit of everything:  

• A team that reached the playoffs without finishing .500.  
• A heated NFC North rivalry.  
• A former No. 1 overall pick hitting his stride.  
• The defending Super Bowl champs looking a bit shaky.  
• An MVP candidate in just his second season.  
• Plus some late-season magic from Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers.

Wild Card Schedule

Saturday, Jan. 10

5. Los Angeles Rams vs. 4. Carolina Panthers  

•   Time: 4:30 p.m. ET  
•   Location: Bank of America Stadium | Charlotte, N.C.

7. Green Bay Packers vs. 2. Chicago Bears  

•   Time: 8 p.m. ET  
•   Location: Soldier Field | Chicago

Sunday, Jan. 11

6. Buffalo Bills vs. 3. Jacksonville Jaguars  

•   Time: 1 p.m. ET  
•   Location: EverBank Stadium | Jacksonville, Fla.

6. San Francisco 49ers vs. 3. Philadelphia Eagles  

•   Time: 4:30 p.m. ET  
•   Location: Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia

7. Los Angeles Chargers vs. 2. New England Patriots  

•   Time: 8 p.m. ET  
•   Location: Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Mass.

Monday, Jan. 12

5. Houston Texans vs. 4. Pittsburgh Steelers  

•   Time: 8 p.m. ET  
•   Location: Acrisure Stadium | Pittsburgh

Rams @ Panthers (5 vs. 4)

Why the Panthers can win

Carolina already beat this Rams team 31–28 at home back in Week 13, so they know they can do it again. The formula then was simple: throw Matthew Stafford off his rhythm, which they did by forcing three turnovers, including a pick-six in the first quarter that ended up deciding the game. Bryce Young was steady and took advantage of his chances, highlighted by a clutch 43-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass to rookie Tetairoa McMillan to seal the win.

Why the Rams can win

If Davante Adams returns, the Rams’ offense becomes very tough to handle with Adams, Puka Nacua, and the strong two-back combo of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, plus Stafford coming off a four-touchdown performance in the regular-season finale against the Cardinals. Getting safety Quentin Lake back is also huge, because the defense was playing some of its best football before he got hurt in mid-November, and his absence was felt in several big games late in the season. He missed the first Panthers game, so his presence this time should matter a lot.  

Packers @ Bears (7 vs. 2)

Why the Packers can win

Jordan Love is expected back from a concussion, and he was playing some of his best football of the year before Green Bay’s loss to Denver on Dec. 14. The Packers are also facing a Chicago defense that lives and dies by turnovers, has struggled to generate consistent pass rush over the last month, and has been giving up a lot of yards.

Why the Bears can win

Even though Chicago dropped its season finale to the Lions, the offense features young pieces that are coming on at the right time. Tight end Colston Loveland is a tough matchup, and wideout Luther Burden III is a flexible weapon who looks more comfortable in his role every week. The Bears could also get receiver Rome Odunze back from nagging foot problems, which would give them another important target.

Bills @ Jaguars (6 vs. 3)

Why the Jaguars can win

Trevor Lawrence has been on fire over his last six games, piling up 19 total touchdowns in Liam Coen’s offense. A lot of that production has come against weaker opponents, but it also includes a huge 34–20 road win over the Broncos on Dec. 21, one of the biggest regular-season victories of his career. Lawrence looks like he has turned a corner and is playing with a bit of swagger, though some will still question whether he can bring that same level in the playoffs; if this version of Lawrence is real, Jacksonville can hang with anyone in the field.

Why the Bills can win

Josh Allen is the top established veteran quarterback in the AFC playoff group and is right in his prime. He is very hard to tackle and will face a Jaguars defense that can create pressure but ranks near the bottom of the league in sacks. Allen also has real help in the backfield now with James Cook, who has had strong outings against fellow AFC playoff teams like the Texans, Steelers, and Patriots since November. The ugly 13–12 loss to the Eagles in Week 17 was concerning, but Buffalo may be better off having that wake-up call in December instead of during the postseason.

49ers @ Eagles (6 vs. 3)

Why the 49ers can win

If San Francisco can get its full offensive group on the field, the 49ers have the tools to challenge Philadelphia’s defense. Their struggles in a 13–3 Week 18 loss to a similarly talented and well-coached Seahawks defense showed how much they need left tackle Trent Williams and wideout Ricky Pearsall healthy and rolling again. Christian McCaffrey clearly missed that support, and while updates on Williams and Pearsall will come later in the week, it currently feels like a reach that both are fully ready.

Why the Eagles can win

The Eagles’ offense has been up-and-down and the run game is far from a sure thing, but the defense has the top-end talent to grind out playoff wins. When Vic Fangio designed a game plan that beat up Josh Allen and held the Bills to 12 points in Week 17, it showed what this unit can be at its best. On the other side, the 49ers’ pass rush has had trouble getting home, which should make life a bit easier for Jalen Hurts and his unusually inconsistent offensive line.

Chargers @ Patriots (7 vs. 2)

Why the Patriots can win

Drake Maye turned what looked like a runaway MVP race into a tight finish by attacking defenses with his accuracy, deep passing, scrambling, and calm presence that made him look like a 10-year veteran. He figures to give the Chargers a lot to worry about. New England also has a strong two-back setup with TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson coming together over the last month. On top of that, getting defensive tackle Milton Williams and offensive tackle Will Campbell back at this point in the year is huge for the Patriots.

Why the Chargers can win

The Patriots’ run defense has been shaky late in the season, and that is something a Chargers offensive line that has been shuffled often could really use to its advantage. Even with Milton Williams returning, it is hard to assume New England’s front seven will suddenly be fixed until it proves it on the field. If Justin Herbert can get solid production from Omarion Hampton on the ground, along with his own scrambling and designed runs, the Chargers can make things tough on New England, especially in games where Herbert has stayed clean from heavy pressure.

Texans @ Steelers (5 vs. 4)

Why the Steelers can win

Pittsburgh comes in riding a huge emotional wave after a dramatic 26–24 win over the Ravens in Week 18 to grab the final playoff spot. That game was no fluke: after Baltimore went up 17–13 midway through the fourth quarter, Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense answered every blow, even without DK Metcalf, who was serving the last game of his suspension. Yes, they needed a badly missed Ravens field goal to finish the job, but the all-in bet on Rodgers has put Pittsburgh back in the postseason with a fresh sense of belief.

Why the Texans can win

Houston started 0–3 but rode a dominant defense to finish the season on a 12–2 tear, with the offense showing more life late in the year. That stretch includes a 9–0 run to close the season, and outside of a late push from the Colts in Week 18 (when the Texans began resting starters), this defense has basically shut teams down. They sacked Justin Herbert five times in Week 17 and made him look uncomfortable, and they will treat Rodgers the same way. During that 9–0 run, Houston beat Herbert, Trevor Lawrence, and Josh Allen, which says a lot about how dangerous this group is heading into the playoffs.

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