2025-26 NFL Playoff Bracket

The 2025-26 NFL season has been one of the most exciting and remarkable seasons in league history. With some unforgettable performances from standout stars such as Drake Maye, Jaxon Smith Njigba and Johnathon Taylor, to insane comeback stories including Phillip Rivers returning to the Indianapolis Colts after being retired since 2020 and many more indescribable headlines. With all of the chaos that has ensued this season, there is still so much to get to with the NFL Playoffs kicking off this weekend. Next, we will go through my Official Wild Card Predictions.

Wild Card Round (LAR@CAR)

A rematch of one of the most prolific games of the season in which the Panthers won 31-28 will start the NFL Playoffs at 4:30 PM EST on FOX. In an exciting 4v5 matchup the Rams will head out to Carolina to take on the Panthers once again, the Panthers made a shocking upset in the regular season holding off the Rams but with LA being a 10-point favorite this will be a different story. Matthew Stafford’s likely MVP season will advance the Rams to the Divisional Round. My Prediction (LAR 34-CAR 20).

Wild Card Round (GB@CHI)

In the 3rd Matchup of the season between these two bitter rival’s bettors are suggesting it’s a total coin flip game, kickoff is set for 8:00 PM EST exclusively on Prime Video. They split the season series, but GB star LB/DE Micah Parsons is out for the season and will not play, this completely changes the course of the game allowing CHI QB Caleb Williams more time in the pocket to target the Packers secondary. This game could genuinely go either way, but the Packers are slight favorites at -1.5 but don’t let that fool you, Chicago’s homefield advantage will carry them to the next round. My Prediction (CHI 23-GB 17).

Wild Card Round (BUF@JAX)

The Sunday triple header kicks off at 1PM EST on CBS with a 6v3 thriller in Jacksonville between the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars are favored -1.5 and have had a surprisingly amazing season led by QB Trevor Lawerence who has had a career year. The Bills on the other hand have had quite the down year after last year’s devastating exit in the AFC Championship vs the Chiefs. Many are considering this game to be the best of the weekend slate and both teams are very well coached and have balanced attacks in the running game, passing attack and the defensive secondary. This game is a MUST WATCH and it should be an instant classic. Unfortunately, one of these great teams will hit the end of the road on Sunday so here is my choice. My Prediction (BUF 28 JAX 24)

Wild Card Round (SF@PHI)

Another star-studded affair will see the San Francisco 49ers head to Philly to take on the Eagles; kickoff is set for 4:30PM EST on FOX. The Eagles are favored to win, and the line is -3.5. Both teams have had quite the rough path this year, but both have carried their weight to the Postseason. Philadelphia have been on the losing end of many upsets and great games while the 49ers have once again struggled very hard with injuries but Head Coach Kyle Shanahan has once again proved doubters wrong leading SF to a 12-5 record even with many extreme injuries such as Nick Bosa and Fred Warner being most likely out for the season and Brock Purdy sidelined over half of the regular season. This game is a rematch of the 2023 NFC Championship Game which saw the Eagles handle the Niners 31-7. This matchup is going to be won in the trenches and whoever wins up front will most likely take the game. My Prediction (SF 27 PHI 23)

Wild Card Round (LAC@NE)

The AFC 2v7 matchup will have the Los Angeles Chargers take a flight across the nation to visit the New England Patriots on Sunday Night at 8PM EST on NBC. The Patriots are the favorites at -3.5 and have had an unbelievable turnaround that you can read more about here, (The Dynasty Continues? – The Rocky Roar Newspaper). The pieces for New England are there with QB Drake Maye, RB duo with Treveyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stephenson, CB Christian Gonzalez, WR Stefon Diggs and many other stars. The Chargers have been banged up late in the season with many starters having had sit out of the loss in Denver last week (some due to rest). Both are very well coached teams with Mike Vrabel (NE) and Jim Harbaugh (LAC) at the charge, but this game will be won through the air and in the secondary. NBC picked a great game for primetime, and this one should keep all eyes glued to the screen in a potential all time showdown at Gilette Stadium. My Prediction (LAC 17 NE 27)

Wild Card Round (HOU@PIT)

MNF Wild Card edition sees the Texans head to Pittsburgh in the last game of Super Wild Card Weekend on ESPN/ABC at 8:15PM EST. The Houston Texans are favored by 3.5 points but having to travel to the frigid cold in Pittsburgh should make this a tight affair. The Steelers are riding a wave of momentum after last week’s Instant Classic on SNF to win the AFC North against the Ravens, 26-24, punching their ticket to the playoffs. The Texans after starting 0-3 have clawed their way back to be the 5th seed in the AFC, they are the 7th team since 1980 to make the playoffs after starting 0-3, per “(Yahoo Sports)”. Some players to watch in this matchup include, QB C.J. Stroud QB Aaron Rodgers, CB Derek Stingley Jr. and WR D.K Metcalf. This may be the most underrated matchup of the weekend and what a way to conclude the first round on an electric night in Pittsburgh! My Prediction (HOU 17 PIT 21)

With the way this season has unfolded so far expect many more surprises in these playoffs. Additionally, the top seeds in both the AFC and NFC earned a bye for the first round, those teams were the Denver Broncos (AFC) and the Seattle Seahawks (NFC). Finally, make sure to tune into all of the games this weekend and expect another story to follow shortly recapping the Wild Card round and predicting the rest of these playoffs right here on the Rocky Roar Newspaper!