The road to Super Bowl LX begins this weekend as the 2026 NFL Playoffs kick off with Super Wild Card Weekend on Saturday, Jan. 10. After a chaotic Week 18 that saw the Denver Broncos (AFC) and Seattle Seahawks (NFC) clinch the No. 1 seeds and first-round byes, the 12-team Wild Card field is set.
The slate features a historic Saturday night rivalry clash between the Packers and Bears, and a shocking return to the postseason for the New England Patriots, all broadcast across FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and Prime Video.
Key Highlights
- Saturday Opener: The playoffs begin with the Los Angeles Rams visiting the NFC South champion Carolina Panthers (4:30 p.m. ET, FOX).
- Rivalry Night: The Green Bay Packers face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in a primetime Saturday showdown on Prime Video.
- Monday Finale: The round concludes Monday, Jan. 12, with the Houston Texans visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC).
Main Report
Full Wild Card Weekend Schedule (Jan. 10–12, 2026)
All times Eastern (ET).
Saturday, Jan. 10
- NFC: (5) Los Angeles Rams at (4) Carolina Panthers
- Time: 4:30 p.m.
- TV: FOX, FOX Deportes
- Streaming: FOX Sports App
- NFC: (7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Chicago Bears
- Time: 8:15 p.m.
- TV/Streaming: Prime Video (Exclusive)
Sunday, Jan. 11
- AFC: (6) Buffalo Bills at (3) Jacksonville Jaguars
- Time: 1:00 p.m.
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+
- NFC: (6) San Francisco 49ers at (3) Philadelphia Eagles
- Time: 4:30 p.m.
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: FOX Sports App
- AFC: (7) Los Angeles Chargers at (2) New England Patriots
- Time: 8:15 p.m.
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock
Monday, Jan. 12
- AFC: (5) Houston Texans at (4) Pittsburgh Steelers
- Time: 8:15 p.m.
- TV: ESPN, ABC
- Streaming: ESPN+, NFL+
Matchups to Watch
Packers vs. Bears (Saturday Night) A historic chapter in the NFL’s oldest rivalry. The Chicago Bears (11-6) secured the No. 2 seed behind a dominant defense, earning the right to host Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) at a freezing Soldier Field. This is the first postseason meeting between the rivals since the 2010 NFC Championship.
Chargers vs. Patriots (Sunday Night) The surprise story of the 2025-26 season is the New England Patriots, who stormed to a 13-win season to take the AFC East crown. They host Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers in Foxborough, marking the Patriots’ first home playoff game in the post-Belichick era.
49ers vs. Eagles (Sunday Afternoon) A rematch of the 2023 NFC Championship, this game carries heavy narratives. The 49ers (12-5) slipped to the No. 6 seed late in the year, forcing them to travel to face the Eagles (11-6) at Lincoln Financial Field in what oddsmakers view as the tightest game of the weekend.
Official Statements
NFL Football Operations The league confirmed the broadcast distribution in its official release:
“The 2026 Wild Card Weekend presented by Verizon will feature games on FOX, NBC, CBS, ESPN, and Prime Video, ensuring maximum reach for fans across linear and digital platforms.”
DraftKings (Market Context) Opening lines released Monday show the Bills as slight road favorites (-1.5) against the Jaguars despite being the lower seed, while the Seahawks and Broncos remain the betting favorites to reach Super Bowl LX.
Why This Matters
For US Sports Fans
- Notable Absences: This postseason marks the first time in years that neither the Kansas City Chiefs nor the Baltimore Ravens are in the field, guaranteeing a fresh AFC champion.
- Streaming Shift: The Packers-Bears game on Prime Video continues the NFL’s aggressive push into streaming-exclusive playoff games, a trend that impacts millions of viewers who must have a subscription to watch.
Road to Super Bowl LX
Winners of this weekend’s games move one step closer to Super Bowl LX, set for Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
FAQs
A: The Denver Broncos (AFC No. 1) and Seattle Seahawks (NFC No. 1) have first-round byes and will host games in the Divisional Round (Jan. 17-18).
A: Yes. The Saturday night game (8:15 p.m. ET) is exclusive to Prime Video for most viewers. However, NFL rules require it to be broadcast on local over-the-air stations in the Green Bay and Chicago markets.
A: Super Bowl LX (60) will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.
Transparency & Ethics
Researched with AI assistance; fact-checked and edited by Kitto News editors.
Disclaimer: Game times and broadcast information are subject to change by the NFL. Betting odds mentioned are for context only and do not constitute financial advice. Please gamble responsibly.
Sources
- NFL.com – Official playoff schedule and Wild Card announcement.
- FOX Sports – NFC playoff picture and standings.
- CBS Sports – AFC bracket and coverage info.
- DraftKings – Opening lines and market data.
