NFL Wild Card playoff schedule: Teams, matchups, dates and kickoff times

The NFL has officially set the schedule for the Wild Card round as the league begins its march toward Super Bowl LX.

Teams that punched their playoff tickets now turn their full attention to the Lombardi Trophy, with Super Bowl LX scheduled for Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The final playoff field was not settled until the last week of the regular season, delivering plenty of late drama. A high-stakes showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers ultimately helped decide the AFC North, with Pittsburgh claiming the division crown and setting up a Wild Card matchup against the Houston Texans.

Top seeds earn Wild Card bye

As expected under the current playoff format, the No. 1 seed in each conference will sit out the opening round.

In the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks locked up the top spot and a first-round bye. Over in the AFC, the Denver Broncos surged down the stretch to finish as the conference’s top seed and earn the week off.

The remaining teams now face a win-or-go-home weekend.

NFC Wild Card matchups

• (1) Seattle Seahawks: First-round bye
• (7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Chicago Bears
• (6) San Francisco 49ers at (3) Philadelphia Eagles
• (5) Los Angeles Rams at (4) Carolina Panthers

AFC Wild Card matchups

• (1) Denver BroncosFirst-round bye
• (7) Los Angeles Chargers at (2) New England Patriots
• (6) Buffalo Bills at (3) Jacksonville Jaguars
• (5) Houston Texans at (4) Pittsburgh Steelers

Wild Card weekend kickoff times

The Wild Card round opens Saturday, Jan. 10, with two NFC matchups.

• Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers | Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, 4:30 p.m. ET
• Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears | Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET

Sunday, Jan. 11 features three games, including a prime-time AFC clash between the Chargers and Patriots.

• Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET
• San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles | Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, 4:30 p.m. ET
• Los Angeles Chargers vs. New England Patriots | Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET

Monday night finale caps Wild Card round

Wild Card weekend concludes Monday night (Jan. 12) with a matchup that promises intensity and postseason pressure.

• Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET

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