As the 2025 NFL regular season wraps up and we dive into the playoffs, Wild Card Weekend is set to deliver high-stakes drama across six matchups from January 10-12. This sequel to our popular2026 NFL Wild Card Playoff Bracket: Matchups, Dates, Times, TV Channels & Printable PDF breaks down every game with expert picks, current betting odds (via DraftKings as of January 8 morning), quick analysis, and key insights to help you navigate the action. We’ve compiled the latest lines and trends for a morning refresh, perfect for your bracket strategy. For the full postseason path, check out our Printable 2026 NFL Full Playoff Bracket: Wild Card Through Super Bowl Paths & TV Schedule.
The top seeds,AFC No. 1 Denver Broncos and NFC No. 1 Seattle Seahawks,earn byes, resting up for the Divisional Round. According to the official NFL Wild Card Weekend schedule, games kick off Saturday afternoon and run through Monday night. Let’s jump into the picks.
2026 NFL Wild Card Weekend Matchups: Picks, Odds & Quick Analysis
Here’s a breakdown of each NFL Wild Card weekend game, including our straight-up pick, spread, over/under, and a concise analysis based on recent form, key stats, and matchup edges. Odds are subject to change, always confirm before placing bets.
| Matchup | Date/Time (ET) | TV/ Stream | Spread | O/U | Pick | Pred. Score | |
| (5) Los Angeles Rams @ (4) Carolina Panthers | Sat, Jan. 10 / 4:30 p.m. | FOX / Fubo | Rams -10.5 | 45.5 | Rams | 27-13 | |
| The Rams enter scorching hot, winners of 10 straight, with Matthew Stafford leading the league’s top-scoring offense (30.5 PPG). Carolina squeaked in but ranks 27th in scoring (18.3 PPG) and has a leaky secondary vulnerable to LA’s vertical threats like Puka Nacua. Expect the Rams’ pass rush (led by Byron Young) to harass Bryce Young early. Home-field helps Panthers cover occasionally, but Rams dominate. | |||||||
| (7) Green Bay Packers @ (2) Chicago Bears | Sat, Jan. 10 / 8 p.m. | Prime Video | Packers -1.5 | 45.5 | Bears | 24-23 | |
| This NFC North rivalry rematch is a toss-up. Packers stumbled in with a four-game skid, but Jordan Love’s arm talent shines against Chicago’s middling pass D. However, Bears QB Caleb Williams thrives at home (6-2 record), and their run game with D’Andre Swift exploits Green Bay’s 117 YPG allowed on the ground. Chicago’s rest advantage seals a narrow upset in a shootout. | |||||||
| (6) Buffalo Bills @ (3) Jacksonville Jaguars | Sun, Jan. 11 / 1 p.m. | CBS / Paramount+ | Bills -1.5 | 52 | Jaguars | 28-27 | |
| Jacksonville rides an eight-game win streak, boasting a +17 turnover differential and a stout run defense (85.6 YPG allowed). Josh Allen’s foot injury limits mobility against Trevor Lawrence’s efficient attack. Bills’ point differential edges Jags, but home cooking and a tougher schedule give Duval the nod in a high-scoring thriller. | |||||||
| (6) San Francisco 49ers @ (3) Philadelphia Eagles | Sun, Jan. 11 / 4:30 p.m. | FOX / Fubo | Eagles -4.5 | 47.5 | Eagles | 26-20 | |
| Philly’s defense under Vic Fangio stifles big plays, perfect against a banged-up 49ers squad missing key pieces. Jalen Hurts avoids turnovers while Saquon Barkley grinds out yards vs. SF’s regressed front (5.6 yards/snap allowed). Brock Purdy keeps it close, but Eagles’ home dominance (top-10 offense, 370 YPG) pulls away late. | |||||||
| (7) Los Angeles Chargers @ (2) New England Patriots | Sun, Jan. 11 / 8 p.m. | NBC / Peacock | Patriots -3.5 | 44 | Patriots | 24-17 | |
| Rookie Drake Maye dazzles with a 72% completion rate and 113.5 passer rating, guiding NE to 14-3. Chargers’ Justin Herbert returns from a hand injury but faces a top-4 Pats defense (points allowed) behind a shaky O-line (32nd in pass protection). Harbaugh’s grit keeps LA in it, but Maye’s poise at home advances New England. | |||||||
Printable 2026 NFL Wild Card Schedule
Here you go. The printable 2026 NFL Wild Card Schedule as an infographic.
Upset Alerts: Where the Chaos Could Strike
Wild Card Weekend is ripe for surprises, with four road favorites and slim lines across the board. Here are our top upset watches:
- Bears over Packers (-1.5): Chicago’s home-field energy and Williams’ dual-threat ability flip the script on a slumping Green Bay. If Swift rushes for 100+, this classic rivalry ends with a Bears W. (We see Bears at 55%.)
- Jaguars over Bills (-1.5): Duval’s hot streak and run-stopping D neutralizes Buffalo’s ground game. Lawrence’s turnover avoidance edges a hobbled Allen,call it 52% Jags in a coin-flip game.
- Steelers over Texans (-3): As a rare home underdog, Pittsburgh’s veteran savvy (Rodgers’ experience) could force Stroud errors. If the defense holds Houston under 20, PIT steals it at 48% upset chance.
Avoid the Panthers (+10.5) as a full upset,they’re outmatched,but they could cover if Young avoids sacks.
Bracket Breakdown: Paths to the Divisional Round & Beyond
With our picks advancing Rams, Bears, Jaguars, Eagles, Patriots, and Texans, here’s how the bracket shakes out:
- AFC Divisional: Jaguars @ Broncos (rematch potential if Jags’ streak continues); Texans @ Patriots (Maye vs. Stroud fireworks). Broncos’ bye gives them rest, but watch for Jaguars’ momentum to challenge Denver’s suspect secondary. Patriots advance as favorites, setting up a star-studded AFC Championship path.
- NFC Divisional: Rams @ Seahawks (LA’s offense tests Seattle’s D); Eagles @ Bears (Williams-Hurts duel). Seahawks’ bye helps, but Rams’ scoring could lead to a high-octane upset. Bears-Eagles would be a gritty, run-heavy battle,Philly’s edge in experience pushes them toward the NFC title.
Overall bracket favorites: Rams (high confidence vs. Panthers) cruise, but watch for chaos in the close games (four under 4.5-point spreads). For a printable version to track your picks, grab our Printable 2026 NFL Playoff Bracket: Schedule and TV Broadcast.
Stay tuned to SportsBrackets.net for Divisional Round updates.
