The NFL has hit a sweet spot on parity with a vast turnover between this year’s playoff field and the year before.
Seven new division champions and six new playoff teams filled this year’s playoff bracket. Two first-year head coaches guided their teams to the playoffs, and three of four first-time playoff quarterbacks will make their postseason debuts for the Wild Card round this weekend.
Here’s a look at the Wild Card matchups as the NFL postseason kicks off on Saturday.
Los Angeles Rams (12–5) at Carolina Panthers (9–8)
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is one of four first-time playoff quarterbacks, and he will get a tough test right off the bat with the Rams defense. Los Angeles allows an average of 20.4 points per game, but Young has led the Panthers to a win against the Rams once this season in Week 13.Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is a leading MVP candidate, and he will likely have some big help back on offense with star wide receiver Davante Adams, who has been recovering from a left hamstring injury. Carolina’s defense, which allows 22.4 points per game, gave up 28 points last time, but the Panthers will likely need more defensive stops this time around to advance.
Green Bay Packers (9–7–1) at Chicago Bears (11–6)
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams makes his playoff debut against a Packers defense that has been searching for answers since linebacker Micah Parsons went down. The Packers rested starters in Week 18, however, and could be retooled to win on the road and for the first time since Dec. 7, a 28–21 home win over the Bears in Week 14.Packers quarterback Jordan Love looks to come back sharp after not playing for three weeks due to a concussion and the Week 18 quasi-bye. The Bears give up 24.4 points per game, and if Love gets going, that could be a problem for head coach Ben Johnson and company.
Buffalo Bills (12–5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (13–4)
Sunday, 12 p.m. ET on CBS
A perennial AFC power visits the hottest team in the NFL for this matchup.Bills quarterback Josh Allen and company will look to win on the road in the playoffs for the first time since 1992. Buffalo is usually playing home games in the early rounds, and road losses have been against the Kansas City Chiefs in recent years.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, making his playoff debut, will look to pressure the Bills’ secondary. Jacksonville’s defense has been stout with 19.8 points allowed per game, but the Jaguars will need to shut down Allen and Bills running back James Cook III to advance.
San Francisco 49ers (12–5) at Philadelphia Eagles (11–6)
Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX
San Francisco will look to get back on track offensively with quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey, but the Eagles’ defensive front is one of the best in the league. The Eagles only allow 19.1 points per game, and the Seattle Seahawks showed in Week 18 what it takes to shut down an otherwise potent 49ers offense, which had three points in that loss.Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and company come in fresh after starters rested for Week 18. The 49ers will have to slow down running back Saquon Barkley and keep Hurts contained or from making plays downfield.
Los Angeles Chargers (11–6) at New England Patriots (14–3)
Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on NBC
A familiar face returns to the playoffs in the Patriots after a five-year hiatus, and this group of Patriots looks ready to kick off a new era with a win. First-year head coach Mike Vrabel’s crew has been dominant, with second-year quarterback Drake Maye looking like an MVP.Los Angeles, which allows 20 points per game, will need to slow down Maye and contain running back Rhamondre Stevenson. Offensively, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will look to get past a tough Patriots defense, which allows 18.8 points per game.
Houston Texans (12–5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10–7)
Monday at 7:15 p.m. on ESPN/ABC
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will make his first playoff appearance for a team not named the Packers, and his performance could hinge on his offensive line holding up. The Texans have one of the best defensive fronts in football, and the Steelers won’t want to see Texans defensive stars Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter getting to Rodgers.Texans quarterback C. J. Stroud will look to keep his team’s winning ways going amid a nine-game winning streak. Pittsburgh’s defense will need big stops in what could be a defensive battle, especially if the Texans contain Rodgers and company.
