With the regular season in the books, Wild Card Weekend follows the NFL’s standard schedule cadence rather than adding a Friday window. That means no postseason games tonight. Broadcast partners begin coverage on Saturday and continue through Sunday and Monday, with six matchups spanning national TV windows and streaming.
Top seeds in each conference already have byes, and all teams travel, finalize health checks, and complete walkthroughs on Friday without game action. Full kickoff times, seeds, and TV assignments for the opening round are set, with Saturday’s slate leading off the weekend and inactives posting 90 minutes before each game.
Friday Football Games for the NFL Wild Card Round
There are no NFL Wild Card games scheduled for Friday. Wild Card Weekend begins Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET and runs through Monday night. Fans should plan around the league’s listed weekend windows and confirm game‑day statuses when inactives are released before each matchup.
NFL Playoff 2026 Schedule: Wild Card Round
Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers
Rams vs. Panthers Game Info
Date: Saturday, Jan. 10
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Bank Of America Stadium, Charlotte
TV: Fox, NFL Network
The Rams visit the NFC South champion Panthers in the weekend’s first window. Los Angeles arrives with an MVP‑caliber season from Matthew Stafford and a high‑efficiency passing game headlined by Puka Nacua. Carolina earned the home date at 8-9 after winning a tight divisional race and has recent head‑to‑head confidence: the Panthers stunned the Rams 31-28 in Week 13.
Early‑down balance and protection are central for both sides; the Rams typically lean on timing throws and play‑action to create intermediate windows, while Carolina’s path runs through controlling pace, winning field position, and tackling at the catch point to limit Los Angeles’ explosive plays.
Special teams and hidden yards frequently swing playoff games, and with no Friday action, both clubs use the day for walkthroughs, situational installs, and medical clearance ahead of game‑day inactives.
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
Packers vs. Bears Game Info
Date: Saturday, Jan. 10
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago
TV: Prime Video, NFL Network
The Wild Card round’s lone divisional matchup features the No. 7 Packers at the No. 2 Bears. The teams split their regular‑season series, each winning at home, setting the stage for a third meeting with seeding leverage and history attached. Chicago’s last playoff win came in 2011, a run that ended in the NFC Championship against the Packers, who went on to win the Super Bowl.
Expect Green Bay to emphasize quick‑game structure, with selective deep shots to keep the quarterback on schedule, and to pair a committed run component to create manageable third downs. Chicago’s plan prioritizes clean protection, early‑down efficiency, and defined third‑down concepts, with their perimeter threats working to stretch the Packers’ coverage rules.
Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Bills vs. Jaguars Game Info
Date: Sunday, Jan. 11
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville
TV: CBS, Paramount
The Bills seek their first road playoff win with Josh Allen at the controls, facing a Jaguars team riding an eight-game win streak fueled by disciplined defense and timely offense. The Bills’ variance, explosive plays paired with turnover risk, puts a premium on protection and red-zone finishing.
The Jaguars’ path hinges on early-down success to force long-yardage situations and control field position through efficient special teams. Expect a physical game where third-down conversion rates and takeaways are decisive. Friday remains a prep day, with final plans and inactives locked closer to Sunday’s kickoff.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
49ers vs. Eagles Game Info
Date: Sunday, Jan. 11
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
TV: Fox, Fox Deportes
The 49ers, now the sixth seed after their Week 18 loss, travel cross-country to meet the third-seeded Eagles, who missed the No. 2 seed after their finale. The 49ers’ offense uses motion and play-action to create intermediate windows despite injuries, while the Eagles aim to stabilize rhythm and tempo with Jalen Hurts and their ground game.
Explosives prevention and red-zone execution should define the margin. With Friday set for walkthroughs and medical checks, inactives will clarify key availability before kickoff, and both staffs will script early sequences to avoid long third downs.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. New England Patriots
Chargers vs. Patriots Game Info
Date: Sunday, Jan. 11
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
TV: NBC, Peacock, Universo.
The seventh-seeded Chargers visit the second-seeded Patriots under the lights. Jim Harbaugh brings deep playoff experience, while New England has recalibrated post–Brady/Belichick, with Drake Maye elevating the offense against a favorable slate.
Los Angeles blends Justin Herbert’s shot plays with balanced sequencing; the Patriots emphasize clean protection, situational defense, and red-zone finishing. Turnover margin and third-down efficiency loom large. Friday is prep only, with final inactives setting personnel closer to kickoff and special teams assignments finalized ahead of the prime-time window.
Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Texans vs. Steelers Game Info
Date: Monday, Jan. 12
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
TV: ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes; ManningCast on ESPN2/ESPN+
The Texans rebounded from a 0-3 start to finish 12-2 over their last 14, riding a ferocious defense and improved offensive timing. The AFC North champion Steelers aim for their first playoff win since 2017, leaning on physical fronts and opportunistic play. Expect field-position chess, where third-down conversion rates, special teams precision, and takeaways determine the margin.
With the Monday slot, both staffs gain extra time to script openers and set matchups, while inactives will finalize availability for key contributors before the prime-time finish to Wild Card Weekend.
