NFL Wild Card Weekend 2026: Full Schedule for 6 Big Games, Kick-off Times, and How to Watch
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| NFL Wild Card Weekend 2026 Full Schedule |
The NFL Wild Card marks the official start of the NFL postseason, and the 2025–26 edition delivers six win-or-go-home games across three straight days. From Saturday through Monday, teams from both the AFC and NFC face immediate elimination. Lose once, and the season is over.
Below is a complete, fan-friendly breakdown of all six Wild Card games, including dates, kickoff times (U.S. Eastern Time), brief matchup previews, and how to watch live.
Read more:
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Saturday, January 10, 2026
1. Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers
Kickoff: 3:30 PM ET
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Conference: NFC
How to watch: FOX (also FOX Sports app)
The Rams enter as a battle-tested playoff team built on offensive efficiency and postseason experience. Traveling east for an early kickoff is never easy, but Los Angeles has been through tougher spots.
Carolina, likely hosting as a division winner, leans on home-field energy and a defense-first identity. If the Panthers can control tempo and force mistakes, this game tightens quickly. Expect a physical, lower-scoring contest where discipline matters.
Read more: Can I Watch Carolina Panthers vs Los Angeles Rams for Free? And Wild Card Game Preview
2. Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago
Conference: NFC
How to watch: NBC / Peacock
Few rivalries in American sports carry more weight than Packers vs Bears. Add playoff stakes and January weather in Chicago, and this becomes must-watch football.
Green Bay brings playoff familiarity and offensive balance, while Chicago relies on toughness, defense, and crowd noise. Cold temperatures and wind could push both teams toward a run-heavy approach. Turnovers may decide everything.
Read more: Can I Watch Bears vs Packers for Free? Wild Card Game Preview, and Viewing Guide
Sunday, January 11, 2026
3. Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville
Conference: AFC
How to watch: CBS / Paramount+
Buffalo enters as one of the most dangerous Wild Card teams, capable of scoring in bunches. Their challenge is staying sharp on the road against a Jacksonville squad that plays faster at home.
The Jaguars thrive when they dictate pace and force opponents into shootouts. If Jacksonville’s offense keeps up early, this could become one of the weekend’s most entertaining games.
Read more: Can I Watch Bills vs Jaguars for Free? Full Wild Card Preview, and Viewing Guide
4. San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
Kickoff: 4:30 PM ET
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Conference: NFC
How to watch: FOX
This matchup feels more like a conference semifinal than a Wild Card game. San Francisco is built on physicality and versatility, while Philadelphia combines elite line play with playoff-tested coaching.
The key battle sits in the trenches. Whichever team controls the line of scrimmage likely controls the game. Expect intensity from the opening snap.
Read more: Can I Watch Eagles vs 49ers for Free? Wild Card Preview, Prediction, and Viewing Guide
5. Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
Conference: AFC
How to watch: NBC / Peacock
The Chargers arrive with speed and offensive creativity, but playoff football in New England is rarely forgiving. The Patriots are disciplined, defensively sound, and comfortable playing tight games.
This matchup may hinge on patience. If Los Angeles avoids mistakes and converts red-zone chances, they have a path. If not, New England’s experience could tilt the outcome.
Read more: Can I Watch Chargers vs Patriots for Free? Full Wild Card Preview, and Viewing Guide
Monday, January 12, 2026
6. Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers
Kickoff: 8:15 PM ET
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
Conference: AFC
How to watch: ESPN / ABC / ESPN+
The final game of Wild Card Weekend brings a classic playoff environment. Pittsburgh at home in January is one of the league’s toughest settings, built on defense and crowd pressure.
Houston represents the new generation: fast, aggressive, and unafraid. The Texans’ challenge is handling the moment. If they start strong, they can quiet the stadium. If not, the Steelers will grind this one down to the final minutes.
Read more: Can I Watch Texans vs Steelers for Free? Monday Night Wild Card Preview, and Viewing Guide
What’s at Stake
Every Wild Card game is single elimination. There are no second chances. Winners advance to the Divisional Round, while losers begin the offseason immediately.
From historic rivalries to heavyweight matchups, Wild Card Weekend 2026 delivers four straight days of urgency, pressure, and playoff drama. For fans, it’s the purest form of NFL football — one loss, and everything ends.
