The 2026 NFL playoffs begin with Wild Card Weekend, featuring six games from January 10 to 12. The Philadelphia Eagles defend their Super Bowl title against the San Francisco 49ers, while other matchups include divisional rivalries and revenge opportunities. Experts offer varying predictions on outcomes and betting lines.
The 2026 NFL playoff bracket is set following a dramatic regular season, with Wild Card Weekend kicking off on Saturday, January 10. The schedule includes high-stakes games across both conferences, broadcast on major networks.
On Saturday, the Los Angeles Rams visit the Carolina Panthers at 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox, with the Rams favored by 10.5 points. The Panthers earned their spot as NFC South champions but lost two straight entering the postseason. Later that evening at 8 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime, the Green Bay Packers face the Chicago Bears, who hold a one-point edge as the NFC's No. 2 seed.
Sunday's slate starts with the Buffalo Bills at the Jacksonville Jaguars at 1 p.m. ET on CBS, where the Bills are 1.5-point favorites despite the Jaguars' nine-game winning streak. At 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox, the Eagles host the 49ers, favored by 3.5 points in a rematch of recent Super Bowl contenders. The day ends with the Los Angeles Chargers at the New England Patriots at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, with the Patriots leading by 3.5 points.
Monday Night Football concludes the round at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC, as the Houston Texans travel to the Pittsburgh Steelers, favored by 3.5 points on a nine-game win streak.
Expert predictions differ. SportsLine's Eric Cohen forecasts Rams 34-12 over Panthers, citing revenge for a November upset, and Jaguars 27-24 over Bills on a walk-off field goal. He picks Packers 23-21 against Bears and Eagles 27-21 over 49ers. A simulation model counters with Bears 25-23 over Packers and closer scores like Jaguars 26-25 over Bills. Cohen notes, "Winners of nine of their last 10 games, I have a hard time picking against Jacksonville at home."
The NFC's top seed, Seattle Seahawks, and AFC's Denver Broncos earn byes. Six new playoff teams join the mix, including the Panthers, last in since 2017. Super Bowl LX awaits on February 8 in Santa Clara, California.