> At a Glance
> – The NFL postseason begins today with two NFC Wild Card games
> – Panthers (8-9) host Rams (12-5) at 4:30 p.m. ET, followed by Packers (9-7-1) at Bears (11-6) at 8 p.m. ET
> – Carolina made playoffs despite losing record; Chicago-Green Bay rivalry renewed after 14 years
> – Why it matters: Both games shape the NFC bracket and could produce early upsets
The NFL playoffs kick off Saturday with a rare all-NFC doubleheader. Two divisional rivalries headline the opening day as teams fight to keep championship hopes alive.
Panthers vs. Rams: Rematch in Charlotte
The No. 4 Panthers welcome the No. 5 Rams at 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox. Carolina stunned Los Angeles 31-28 in Week 13, forcing three turnovers from MVP candidate Matthew Stafford. Despite an 8-9 record, the NFC South champions aim to prove their regular-season win was no fluke.
Packers vs. Bears: Rivalry Renewed
The nightcap features the No. 7 Packers visiting the No. 2 Bears at 8 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video. The rivals split the 2025 season series, with Chicago’s 22-16 overtime win in Week 16 sealing the division. This marks only the third postseason meeting between the teams and the first since the 2010 NFC Championship Game.
Weekend Viewing Guide
Saturday, Wild Card double-header:
- Rams at Panthers: 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox
- Packers at Bears: 8 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video
Sunday schedule:
- Bills at Jaguars: 1 p.m. ET on CBS
- 49ers at Eagles: 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox
- Chargers at Patriots: 8 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock
Monday:
- Texans at Steelers: 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC
Key Takeaways
- The Panthers are one of the few playoff teams with a losing record
- The Bears-Packers rivalry adds extra drama to prime time
- All six wild-card games air across four networks over three days
- The Broncos and Seahawks earned first-round byes as top seeds
The road to the Super Bowl begins with these NFC showdowns, where one loss ends a season and one win moves teams closer to the championship.
