NFL Playoff Wild Card Weekend: What Happened and What’s Still to Come
- Liam Gatcliffe
- Jan 16
- 3 min read
by Liam Gatcliffe.
After an NFL regular season filled with record-breaking performances and high-scoring games, Wild Card Weekend delivered exactly what fans hoped for. From Charlotte on Saturday afternoon to Pittsburgh on Monday night, six playoff matchups provided late-game drama, statement wins, and unforgettable moments. Here’s a quick recap and a look ahead to the Divisional Round.
(5) Los Angeles Rams vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
The weekend opened in Charlotte with Matthew Stafford leading the Rams against the NFC South champion Panthers. Los Angeles come out strong, holding a 14–0 second-quarter lead before late-half mistakes allowed Carolina to rally. The Panthers clawed back and took the lead early in the fourth quarter; but Stafford answered with a clutch, game-winning drive, capped by a 19-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left. Puka Nacua led the offense with 10 catches, 111 yards, and two total touchdowns.
Rams 34, Panthers 31
(7) Green Bay Packers vs. (2) Chicago Bears
Snow flurries fell as the Packers carried a 21–3 lead into halftime in the latest chapter of the storied Packers–Bears rivalry. Chicago dominated the second half, holding Green Bay to six points while scoring 28 of their own. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams helped seal the largest playoff comeback in Bears history with a remarkable 4th-and-8 completion late in the game.
Bears 31, Packers 27
(6) Buffalo Bills vs. (3) Jacksonville Jaguars
In Jacksonville, the Bills and Jaguars traded leads throughout a tightly contested game. Josh Allen’s late 10-yard quarterback sneak touchdown gave Buffalo the edge, and Trevor Lawrence’s tipped interception on the final drive ended Jacksonville’s season. Despite the loss, Parker Washington led the Jaguars receiving corps with 7 receptions for 107 yards and a TD.
Bills 27, Jaguars 24
(6) San Francisco 49ers vs. (3) Philadelphia Eagles
San Francisco continued its postseason journey against Philadelphia, edging the Eagles in another back-and-forth contest. Brock Purdy threw a 5-yard touchdown to Christian McCaffrey, who also scored on a trick-play pass from Jauan Jennings. The Eagles' offensive coordinators couldn't dial up the best plays when it mattered most at the end, sealing the game and ending Philadelphia's season.
49ers 23, Eagles 19
(7) Los Angeles Chargers vs. (2) New England Patriots
Defense dominated Sunday night as the Patriots shut down the Chargers, holding them to just three points. New England controlled the game from start to finish, while Justin Herbert remains without a playoff win in his career.
Patriots 16, Chargers 3
(5) Houston Texans vs. (4) Pittsburgh Steelers
Wild Card Weekend concluded Monday night in Pittsburgh, where the Texans dominated from the opening kickoff. Houston’s defense scored twice, the rushing attack surpassed 150 yards, and the Steelers never found a rhythm. Aaron Rodgers exited the loss with a disappointing end to the season, throwing a pick-six on his final throw. With uncertainty surrounding his future, NFL fans wonder if they have seen the last of the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Texans 30, Steelers 6
Up next, the Divisional Round features the Bills at Broncos, Texans at Patriots, 49ers at Seahawks, and Rams at Bears in Chicago. With several contenders still standing, the road to the Super Bowl remains wide open.
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