2026 NFL Wild Card Predictions: Heavy Favorites and Cursed Rivalries Kick Off the Postseason

NFL HEADQUARTERS — The bracket is set, the lines are locked, and the pressure is at a boiling point. The 2026 NFL Wild Card Weekend kicks off this Saturday with a slate defined by historic grudges and massive betting spreads. While the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks enjoy their first-round byes, 12 teams are fighting for a ticket to the Divisional Round.

Saturday: The Goliath and the Grudge

The postseason starts in Charlotte, where the Carolina Panthers (8-9) host the Los Angeles Rams (12-5). Despite the Panthers technically being the home team as division winners, the oddsmakers aren’t buying the “Bank of America Stadium magic.” The Rams are a staggering -10.5 favorite, the largest spread of the weekend.

While Carolina stunned L.A. in Week 13, the Rams have since recovered, ranking as a top-10 unit in both offensive and defensive EPA. If Matthew Stafford avoids the three-turnover meltdown that doomed their last trip to North Carolina, this could be a short night for Bryce Young.

Later that night, the focus shifts to Soldier Field. The Chicago Bears (11-6) and Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) meet for Round 3 of their season series. The Bears are looking for their first playoff win in 15 years, leaning on a defense that led the NFL with 33 takeaways. The big question: Can Jordan Love overcome a late-season concussion and the loss of Micah Parsons to keep the Packers’ season alive?

Sunday: High Octane in Jacksonville and Foxborough

Sunday opens with a shootout in the Florida heat. The Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4), winners of eight straight, host the Buffalo Bills (12-5). Trevor Lawrence has been surgical under Liam Coen, but he faces a Bills defense ranked #1 against the pass. Look for Josh Allen to be the X-factor; he boasts a ridiculous 25:4 TD-to-INT ratio in his postseason career.

The nightcap features the New England Patriots (14-3) hosting the Los Angeles Chargers (11-6). Mike Vrabel has orchestrated a historic turnaround in Foxborough, but the Chargers’ defense is built to limit Drake Maye’s deep ball. If Justin Herbert can survive a patchwork offensive line, the Bolts might just crash the Patriots’ party.

Monday Night: The Texans’ Nine-Game Surge

The weekend concludes with a heavyweight clash at Acrisure Stadium. The Houston Texans (12-5) are arguably the hottest team in football, having not lost a game since before Halloween. They face a Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) team that just closed the book on the John Harbaugh era in Baltimore. C.J. Stroud vs. Aaron Rodgers is the marquee quarterback battle fans have waited for all year.

Expert Consensus Predictions