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Here are the 2026 NFL Wild Card weekend updates & results for you. As of January 11, 2026 (late afternoon/evening PST), the NFL playoffs have kicked off with high drama in the Wild Card round. We’ve seen massive comebacks, clutch drives, and a few surprises in one of the most unpredictable postseason openings in recent memory. Four games are complete, with two more on the docket (Chargers at Patriots on Sunday night, Texans at Steelers on Monday night). Here’s the full recap so far, including scores, key highlights, notable upsets, and how the bracket is shaping up.
2026 NFL WIld Card Weekend Updates
Here are the 2026 NFL Wild Card weekend updates & results for you. We’ll keep adding new information as we have it for you for all of the game action on Sunday and Monday.
Completed Games & Key Highlights
Saturday, January 10 – NFC Wild Card Doubleheader
- Los Angeles Rams 34, Carolina Panthers 31
The Rams survived a close game in Charlotte, avoiding what could have been a major upset. Matthew Stafford engineered a clutch 71-yard game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter, capping it with a 19-yard TD pass to TE Colby Parkinson with under a minute left. Stafford finished with 304 yards and 3 TDs (including scores to Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, and Parkinson), despite some inefficiency. Bryce Young and the Panthers fought hard,Young showed poise with 264 yards and a TD, plus a rushing score,but couldn’t convert on their final possession.
Highlight: Stafford’s calm leadership under pressure, reminiscent of his MVP-caliber regular season.
Upset potential: The Panthers nearly pulled it off after beating the Rams earlier in the season. - Chicago Bears 31, Green Bay Packers 27
One of the biggest stories of the weekend: Caleb Williams led the third-largest fourth-quarter comeback in NFL playoff history (and the largest in Bears postseason lore), outscoring the Packers 25-6 in the final frame after trailing by 15. Williams threw for 184 yards in the fourth alone (more than his first three quarters combined), sealing it with a 25-yard TD pass to DJ Moore with 1:43 left.
Highlight: Williams’ heroics continue to build his “comeback kid” reputation in just his second season.
Upset alert: The Bears (as the lower seed) stunned the Packers in a heated NFC North rivalry matchup.
Sunday, January 11 Games
- Buffalo Bills 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 24
Josh Allen delivered his first career game-winning playoff drive in the fourth, bulldozing in for a 1-yard TD run with 1:04 left after four lead changes in the quarter. Allen added a 15-yard TD pass. Safety Cole Bishop sealed it with a game-ending INT on Trevor Lawrence.
Highlight: Allen’s poise in chaos, extending Buffalo’s divisional round streak to six years.
No major upset: Bills were slight underdogs on the road but prevailed. - San Francisco 49ers 23, Philadelphia Eagles 19
Brock Purdy and the 49ers advanced despite injuries (including a torn Achilles for TE George Kittle). Purdy hit on big plays like a 29-yard trick-play TD to Christian McCaffrey and a 61-yard bomb. The Eagles got on the board early but couldn’t hold off the resilient Niners.
Highlight: Purdy’s accuracy and the 49ers’ grit against a tough Philly defense.
Mild upset: 49ers as road team toppled the Eagles.
Ongoing & Upcoming Games (as of now)
- Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots (Sunday night, NBC/Peacock) – Live/ongoing; outcome pending.
- Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers (Monday night, ESPN/ABC) – Set for 8:15 p.m. ET; C.J. Stroud vs. veteran Aaron Rodgers.
Bracket Advancement & Updated Picture
With four teams eliminated (Panthers, Packers, Jaguars, Eagles), the playoff field is narrowing:
NFC Side (Seattle Seahawks hold the No. 1 seed and bye):
- Advancing: Chicago Bears (No. 2), Los Angeles Rams (No. 5), San Francisco 49ers (No. 6).
- Potential Divisional Round (Jan. 17-18, times TBD):
- Seattle Seahawks vs. lowest remaining seed (likely 49ers or Rams).
- Chicago Bears vs. the other (Rams or potential other).
AFC Side (Denver Broncos hold the No. 1 seed and bye):
- Advancing so far: Buffalo Bills (No. 6).
- Pending: Winner of Chargers-Patriots and Texans-Steelers.
- Divisional matchups will finalize after Monday’s game, with Denver hosting the lowest remaining seed.
This Wild Card Weekend has delivered non-stop excitement,three massive fourth-quarter comebacks, clutch QB moments, and plenty of chaos. The drama isn’t over yet, with two huge AFC games still to play. Stay tuned for updates as the bracket solidifies heading into Divisional Round! Who advances next? Drop your predictions in the comments.
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(Last updated: January 11, 2026 prior to SNF)
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