NFL Playoffs Begin: Staff Predictions for Every Wild Card Matchup
Wild Card Weekend has arrived, wiping the slate clean and ushering in the most intense stretch of the NFL season. After months of predictions during the regular season, everything now resets to 0–0 — and the margin for error disappears. With postseason pressure rising, our NFL staff breaks down each Wild Card matchup, highlighting key storylines and score predictions as the road to the Super Bowl officially begins.
The opening game features the Los Angeles Rams visiting the Carolina Panthers. Despite Carolina’s occasional flashes this season, the Rams are viewed as clearly superior on both sides of the ball. With playoff urgency and veteran leadership, most picks lean heavily toward a decisive Los Angeles win, with predictions ranging from a comfortable victory to an outright blowout.
Saturday night brings a historic rivalry as the Green Bay Packers face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Opinions are divided here. Some believe Green Bay’s playoff experience and quarterback stability give them the edge, while others see this as a defining moment for Chicago and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to finally flip the script in a long one-sided rivalry.
Sunday’s early matchup could be one of the weekend’s best, with the Buffalo Bills squaring off against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Buffalo’s hopes rest heavily on Josh Allen, while Jacksonville enters riding momentum and confidence. The staff is split — some trust Allen to deliver late, others believe the Jaguars’ balance and recent form will be enough to edge out a narrow win.
Later Sunday, the spotlight shifts to Philadelphia, where the Philadelphia Eagles host the San Francisco 49ers. This matchup divides opinion sharply. One side sees Philadelphia’s defense controlling the game, while others expect San Francisco’s offense, led by Brock Purdy, to rebound and steal a tight contest.
Sunday night features the New England Patriots against the Los Angeles Chargers. Confidence is high in New England, especially with rookie quarterback Drake Maye showing steady growth and the defense peaking at the right time. Concerns about the Chargers’ offensive line and injuries push most predictions toward a Patriots victory.
The Wild Card round wraps up Monday night as the Houston Texans visit the Pittsburgh Steelers. Expect a physical, low-scoring battle dominated by defense. While opinions differ on the winner, nearly everyone agrees it will be close, gritty, and decided late.
With playoff intensity at its peak, every game promises drama — and every pick could be proven wrong once the lights come on.
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