The 2026 National Football League (NFL) playoffs are here and they couldn’t be more exciting or chaotic. The January playoffs have also presented memorable NFL moments and a reminder that nothing is ever guaranteed on the football field.
This past weekend featured the wildcard round, and some of the winners were a complete shock to everyone who was at the games or watching them on TV. There were six games in total and here are some significant highlights and who will be moving forward to the divisional round.
Los Angeles Rams 34, Carolina Panthers 31
In the playoff opener, veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford led a clutch game-winning drive, throwing a 19-yard touchdown to Colby Parkinson with 0:38 left to lift the Rams over the Panthers. Stafford finished with 304 yards and three Touchdowns, while Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua was a key playmaker. The Panthers came close to a win but ultimately fell to the Rams. They put up a good fight, but once again were pushed out before they could go any further in this game.
Chicago Bears 31, Green Bay Packers 27
The Chicago Bears were the first to be upset in the playoffs. Chicago staged a dramatic comeback from an 18-point deficit. This was their largest in franchise playoff history. This was a huge one for this team because it allowed them to beat their division rivals. Rookie Quarterback Caleb Williams delivered a go-ahead touchdown late, marking Chicago’s first postseason win in 15 years and a franchise-defining moment.
Buffalo Bills 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 24
The Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars played a massive game. The Buffalo Bills outlasted the Jacksonville Jaguars in this tightly contested Wild Card matchup that swung back and forth all afternoon. Buffalo’s offense leaned on balance and timely third-down conversions, allowing them to control tempo despite Jacksonville’s defensive pressure. The Jaguars kept pace with explosive plays and aggressive play-calling, refusing to let the game slip away in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, Buffalo’s defense delivered with an interception from Jacksonville’s quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the defining moment with a late stop that sealed the outcome. The win pushed the Bills forward in the AFC bracket, while Jacksonville’s season ended after a hard-fought playoff battle.
San Francisco 49ers 23, Philadelphia Eagles 19
The San Francisco 49ers took down the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, putting their season to an end. San Francisco turned on the heat early, showing signs of composure and strong physical performance. It set the tone for how disciplined this team is and can move forward into the playoffs. The Eagles struggled throughout this game. They were inconsistent offensively and turned the ball over several times. In the end, Philadelphia found their way back, but ultimately it was too late and San Francisco took the win.
Los Angeles Chargers 3, New England Patriots 16
The New England Patriots will push forward after their matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Patriots took over from the start of this game and the Chargers couldn’t get anything on the board. They were explosive in the first half but found they could not maintain consistency and made costly mistakes that stalled several of their drives. Ultimately, New England came back with more steam. They also forced the Chargers to punt multiple times and limited a ton of big plays.
Houston Texans 30, Pittsburgh Steelers 6
The last game to occur in the wildcard round was between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers. Houston put up a good fight against this team, keeping their composure and showing that they are worthy of being a playoff team. They also maintained timely offensive execution. The Steelers struggled to make anything come together on the field. Both stalled possessions and mistakes left on the field caused this Pittsburgh team’s downfall.
The Divisional Round
All four teams that won this wildcard round will close out this week and move forward into the divisional round. In the meantime, the No. 1 seeds in each conference, the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos will begin playoff play and look to prove they have what it takes to move on. These two teams have taken the first round bye and are set to face off against the up-and-coming teams. It’s not going to be easy, but fans will see who’s still standing after next weekend. There will be only four games that begin on Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18.
