2026 Wild Card Weekend

Sat Jan 10 - LAR - CAR - 4:30 pm FOX - A month ago the Rams were playing dominate football but two consecutive losses slowed their momentum. A win last week against AZ could help get their swagger back. The Panthers backed into the playoffs thanks to my nemesis, the Falcons. ATL's win over the Saints propelled the Panthers into the playoffs. A Panthers victory would be an upset but I would classify that possibility as low. I'm picking LAR.

GB - CHI - 8pm Amazon - Like the Rams, a month ago the Packers were playing well and had a healthy Micah Parsons on defense. Injuries have hit the Packers making this a closer game. CHI has lost two close games against SF and DET the last two weeks. I classify this as a toss up. I'm picking CHI

Sun Jan 11 - BUF - JAX - 1pm CBS - The Bills are 5-3 on the road this year. They have the #1 rushing offense but their defense is ranked 28th against the run. The Jaguars are riding an eight game winning streak and are 7-2 at home. But diving into that streak reveals they have beaten the Colts twice, the Titans twice, Jets and Cardinals. They've only beat two winning teams, Chargers and Broncos. Another toss up. I'm picking BUF.

SF - PHI - 4:30pm FOX - The 49ers offense was on a roll until they ran into the Seahawk brick wall. The Eagles offense has not been as good as last year and this could be the reason they don't advance. The spread has the Eagles as a 4.5 pt favorite but I am picking this game as an upset and going with SF.

LAC - NE - 8pm NBC - The Chargers offensive line is their Achilles heel and is going against a top 10 defense. The Patriots had a weak schedule this year and we'll see how they fair against playoff teams. NE is a 3.5 pt favorite and I would say an upset is moderate. I'm picking NE.

Mon Jan 12 - HOU - PIT - 8pm ABC - The wild card Texans have a better record and a better team but are on the road against a division winner. Is Pittsburgh one and done again? The Texans are 3 pt favorites. Upset prediction: low. I'm picking HOU.

Two more head coach openings since my last post, Baltimore and Miami. Can the Dolphins finally find their next Don Shula?