Los Angeles Rams/Carolina Panthers: it was fun watching Panthers score updates this season (I follow the scores on my phone in the fall while chillin' in the forest). They played in a bunch of really close games and came out on top at times against some good teams. They beat Tampa once, took out a surprising Falcons team that won some big games in 2025 (and lost to them too), and picked up wins over Green Bay and the Rams. They've got efficient pluck and tenacity and I imagine no one wants to play them. Although that's a common thread for this postseason, who would want to play any of these teams? The Rams did have a tougher time of it, their division crazy competitive (three teams with 12 or more wins), they beat Houston, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, and Detroit, while falling to Seattle, San Fran, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Carolina. They scored 200 more points than the Panthers and their defence played better too, but this game's being played in Carolina, the Panthers perhaps starting off Wild Card Weekend with an upset. I've gone overboard before on the overestimation of the visiting team with the winning record, so I don't want to be overly enthusiastic. They've only played Carolina once in ye olde postseason, a 29-23 loss in double overtime in 2003. They've made the playoffs 7 of the last 9 years as well, and in that time won 3 Wild Card games. It would be nice to see the Panthers win, and I hope they play with as much comeback confidence as they did during the regular season. Hoping they pull off the comeback, picking the L.A Rams.
Green Bay Packers/Chicago Bears: I was hoping to see Detroit play the Pack in the postseason but I guess Chicago will have to do, after an incredible resurgent season that I don't think anyone predicted. During that stretch, they managed to beat Green Bay and Minnesota once apiece, although the Lions defeated them twice, while also picking up wins over Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, while keeping it close with San Francisco. They've met in the playoffs twice, both picking up a win (going back to 1941), and they only trail the Pack in their all-time head-to-head standings by 12 hard fought games. In their last 35 meetings though, they've only beaten Green Bay 6 times, that's crazy lopsided, they must want this one big time. Green Bay had solid D this year and won some big games. Once again, they were a formidable threat, picking up wins over Detroit (twice), Pittsburgh and Chicago, while struggling at the end of the year without Jordan Love. I read at ESPN.com that Love should play this Saturday however, he may be a bit groggy from his absence, but he did pick up that big Wild Card win on the road versus Dallas in 2023. The Bears scored 50 more points than the Pack but Green Bay let 55 fewer in, as they often say, defence wins championships, but will it settle things in the Wild Card round? The only thing I know for certain is that Chicago must be really sick and tired of losing to Green Bay, and this is a big game at home, and they're going to be über-ready. It reminds me of when Cleveland beat Pittsburgh in 2020 and the Broncos beat Oakland in 1977. The Pack plays well in the Wild Card round. But I'm thinking the Bears win this one. Picking Chicago at home.
Buffalo Bills/Jacksonville Jaguars: Buffalo still looked good this year with strong performances many a week, they weren't as dominant as they were in previous seasons, but there's no doubt they're resolutely given 'er. At times, they looked unbeatable in 2025 pulling off a memorable comeback win versus Baltimore in Week 1, with additional big wins over Carolina, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, and New England (who also beat them). They scored the 3rd most points in the NFL and picked up 5 wins on the road. Another strong competitive season led by Mr. Josh Allen, with a schedule not many could bear. Jacksonville was a surprise this year after starting the season without much comment, they lost 4 of their first 10 games, and didn't look particularly impressive. Then something happened, the coaching staff must have done something to turn on the jets, they've won 8 straight since then, and came out on top of a tough AFC South Division. They almost scored as many points as the Bills and let in around 30 fewer, this could be a crazy high scoring game if both quarterbacks venomously fire. They've met twice in the playoffs with the Jags winning both games, both times Jacksonville beating the Bills in the Wild Card round, the last time they met was total dudsville. I don't know who has the edge both these teams look way too close to call. They've split their last 6 regular season games 3 and 3. Hoping it's a shootout. Picking Buffalo on the road.
San Francisco 49ers/Philadelphia Eagles: again with the closely matched exceptionally good teams no one would want to play, settling in for a Wild Card extravaganza that hopefully showcases an exciting win. There's an 80% chance of rain in Philly on Sunday but I don't know how much is expected, the weather can be a cool leveller although these teams already seem somewhat even (it's not supposed to be that cold). San Francisco scored 58 more points this season while the Eagles let in 46 fewer, the 49ers won one more game but Philadelphia is playing at home. I like both these teams and they've both had a lot of success in recent years, the Eagles notably winning the Super Bowl last year, San Francisco coming up just short in recent memory (in overtime). I'd say therefore the 49ers have more to play for, but that's somewhat ridiculous, every team having so much to play for every time they make the playoffs. They've only met twice in the postseason with San Francisco winning their Wild Card matchup, Philadelphia coming out on top in the Conference Championships (Purdy was injured in the game), I'm surprised they don't meet more often in the playoffs, they didn't play during the regular season. I like Jalen Hurts and the Eagles and it's been cool to see them have so much success for the last 10 years, but there are a lot of Broncos connections on San Francisco which cannot be passively overlooked. With so many Broncos links, and no other definitive reason to prefer one team to the other, I'm taking San Francisco on the road in Philly. Hoping it's a close game, and the weather doesn't influence the outcome.
Los Angeles Chargers/New England Patriots: New England's different with Brady and Belichick gone, they're not the same frustrating team that made it to the Conference Championships so many years in a row, it's more like they were when I was a kid, before the incredible run, off in the wilderness seeking Super Bowl victory, a brand new alignment impressing throughout the 2025 season. Their schedule wasn't the toughest but they still picked up big wins versus Baltimore, Buffalo (who also beat them), Carolina, Tampa, and Atlanta (I'm surprised Atlanta fired their coach), losing to Pittsburgh and Las Vegas they harnessed a solid 14-3 record. I'd argue the Chargers had a tougher season and still rocked it super hardcore, although the Patriots scored a lot more and let far fewer in, was it simply a matter of an easier schedule? Easier schedule or not, they're playing at home where they know how to win, that loss versus Buffalo likely toughening them up, especially after they were winning by so many in the first half. Still though, the Chargers beat Kansas City twice, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Denver and Philadelphia, while losing to Denver, Houston, Jacksonville, and Indianapolis. San Diego beat the Boston Patriots in the 1963 AFL Championship Game 51-10, but since then the Chargers have fallen to New England three times in the postseason, one of the many good teams that couldn't make it past Brady. Brady's gone however and this is a whole new ball game, both teams rockin' it in prime time this season, once again, too close to call. But I certainly still don't want to see the Patriots defeat the Chargers even if their quick turn around is mind-blowing. Picking the Chargers on the road. This could be where New England defines itself.
Houston Texans/Pittsburgh Steelers: the Texans are 6-2 lifetime in the Wild Card Round and they've won the last two years, they've also won 9 regular season games in a row and seem pumped for the upcoming postseason. Over that stretch they beat Indianapolis twice, Kansas City, Buffalo, the Chargers, and Jacksonville, that's a pretty impressive run, that no doubt indicates playoff wherewithal. They let in almost 100 fewer points than Pittsburgh but didn't score that much more, at home the Steelers lost to Buffalo, Green Bay and Seattle, although they beat New England, Baltimore and Detroit on the road. It was an up and down season for the Steelers who played really well at times but never really put together a consistent streak, if it's the right weekend there's no doubt they will punish you, but if not, they may take a beating. Houston and Pittsburgh have never met in the postseason so this is interesting to see, which is surprising considering how often these teams play in January, their respective schedules at the mercy of the football gods. Honestly, everything seems to be favouring Houston, although it should be chilly in Pittsburgh on Monday night, and the Texans lost the last two years in January in the divisional round, when playing outside of the dome. Nevertheless, so many times things seemed to be favouring Aaron Rodgers in January when he played for Green Bay and the Pack unfortunately came up short. Methinks it's time for a reversal of fortune, even though this seems like a definite Texans win. Taking Pittsburgh and a resurgent Aaron Rodgers. Hoping it's a tight close game.
*Broncos!
**Stats from Wikipedia, NFL.com, ESPN.com, and the Football Database.
