The NFL wild-card weekend has wrapped up, and the matchups for the divisional round of the playoffs are now confirmed, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the postseason.
The Houston Texans clinched the final spot in the top eight after securing a decisive 30-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, where veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers may have played his last game. With this win, the Texans are set to face the New England Patriots on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
The action picks up on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET when the top-seeded Denver Broncos take on the Buffalo Bills, who are coming off a thrilling 27-24 comeback win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. This marks the Bills’ sixth consecutive appearance in the divisional round, highlighting their consistency as contenders in the league.
Later that evening, at 8 p.m. ET, a rematch in the NFC West will see the Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks previously edged out the 49ers 13-3 in Week 18, which determined both the division title and the No. 1 seed. The 49ers advanced to the divisional round with a narrow 23-19 win against the Philadelphia Eagles, despite suffering a blow with tight end George Kittle’s Achilles injury.
Sunday will conclude the playoff action with another NFC showdown, as the Chicago Bears welcome the Los Angeles Rams at 6:30 p.m. ET. The Bears pulled off a dramatic 31-27 comeback against the Green Bay Packers, while the Rams triumphed over the Carolina Panthers in a close 34-31 battle.
Winners from these matchups will advance to the conference championship games scheduled for January 25, leading up to Super Bowl LX on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
The upcoming weekend promises to deliver thrilling football as teams vie for a coveted place in the championship round.