2026’s NFL Wildcard Weekend will certainly be one to remember for football fans worldwide, setting the tone for the rest of the playoff season.
That sentiment became evident just based on the first game, as to kick off the weekend was the Los Angeles Rams (12-5) win over the Carolina Panthers (8-9), 34-31.
A well-earned win, that was closer than many expected, despite impressive performances from talents like No. 12 Puka Nacua from Los Angeles.
Through major plays made by No. 30 Chuba Hubbard and No. 18 Jalen Coker, Carolina gained the lead early in the 4th quarter.
However, the MVP favorite, No. 9 Matthew Stafford, threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to No. 84 Colby Parkinson that acted as the final nail in the coffin for the NFC South Champions.
Capping off a 304-yard showing in the process.
Nonetheless, later that Saturday, the Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) weren’t as lucky in regaining their lead whenever they lost to the Chicago Bears (11-6) 31-27.
This becomes shocking to many whenever looking at No. 10 Jordan Love’s first-half performance, which produced three touchdowns and extended Green Bay’s lead to eighteen.
Although Chicago wasn’t ready to admit defeat.
Over the duration of the second half, No. 18 Caleb Williams made key passes to No. 2 D.J. Moore and No. 14 Olamide Zaccheaus for 25 and 8-yard touchdowns, respectively, alongside No. 4 D’Andre Swift’s 6-yard rushing touchdown as well.
Their efforts wouldn’t go without a reward either, as a 27-point comeback assisted in securing them a spot in the next round and writing another chapter in this famous rivalry.
They met the same fate as the Buffalo Bills (12-5), as their 27-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4) also helped them advance.
A victory many were uncertain would come to fruition as both teams gave everything they had for four straight quarters.
Whether it was No. 86 Dalton Kincaid and No. 17 Josh Allen for Buffalo, or Jacksonville’s No. 11 P.J. Washington and No. 16 Trevor Lawrence, neither team should be ashamed.
In spite of that, the game had an unfortunate ending for Jacksonville, as upon regaining the ball after a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Allen, Lawrence threw an interception caught by No. 24 Cole Bishop, in the process putting an end to his season.
While many weren’t surprised at the elimination of Jacksonville, the Philadelphia Eagles’ (11-6) exit through their loss to the San Francisco 49ers (12-5), 23-1,9 shocked many.
So surprising in fact, the team shortly after announced the firing of their offensive coordinator, Kevin Patullo.
Yet, anyone who had been watching Philadelphia during Wildcard Weekend is not surprised by the removal.
Despite No. 26 Saquon Barkley rushing for 106 yards, the receiving corps did not play to their standard, only having a combined 137 yards amongst all player invovled.
Something that can’t be for San Francisco, as fans were unsure how the team would fare after the Achilles tear of starting tight end No. 85 George Kittle.
Though worries they had quickly went away, as No. 5, Demarcus Robinson had a career game with 111 yards and a touchdown, being a key part in the win.
Unlike the game that occurred later that night, when the New England Patriots (14-3) defeated the Los Angeles Chargers (11-6), 16-3, the offense barely played a factor.
Highlighting this statement is the fact that by half-time, New England’s kicker, No. 36 Andres Borregales, had two field goals, which were the only points on the board.
This continued until halfway through the third quarter, where No. 10 Drake Maye found No. 85 Hunter Henry in the endzone for a touchdown.
Putting an end to potentially the most unpredictable game of the round.
Sadly, predictable is one of the only words that can describe the Monday night outing featuring the Houston Texans (12-5) running through the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7), 30-6.
Even if the first half ended with it being 7-6 in Houston’s favor, both were unable to build anything offensively.
The trend continued until the fourth quarter, where No. 2 Calen Bullock and No. 90 Sheldon Rankins both scored defensive touchdowns.
Soon after, No. 7 C.J. Stroud connecting No. 13 Christian Kirk for another touchdown put an end to Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes and the NFL Wildcard Weekend.
Looking ahead, fans can anticipate intense matchups with the Super Bowl only weeks away.
The road to the Super Bowl is wide open, and the excitement is only just beginning.
