So, if you didn’t have your heart rate monitor on over the last few days, you probably missed the most chaotic stretch of postseason football we've seen in decades. Honestly, calling it "Wild" Card weekend feels like an understatement this time around. We just witnessed a record-breaking 12 lead changes in the fourth quarter across the first four games. That is basically unheard of.
The NFL football results from this past weekend didn't just narrow down the field; they completely reset what we thought we knew about the power balance in both conferences. If you’re a fan of a team that managed to survive, you're likely exhausted. If you’re a Packers or Eagles fan? Well, it’s going to be a long off-season of wondering "what if."
The Windy City Miracle and the Jumpman Throw
Let’s talk about Chicago. The Bears haven't won a playoff game in 15 years, and for about three hours on Saturday, it looked like that streak was going to hit 16. They were down 21-3 at the half against Green Bay.
Then Caleb Williams happened.
He didn’t just play well; he turned into a human highlight reel. The throw everyone is losing their minds over—the 27-yarder to Rome Odunze on 4th-and-8—was pure insanity. Williams was flushed left, jumped into the air, and flicked a dot while literally hovering. People are already calling it the "Jumpman" throw.
Chicago eventually took the lead for good when Williams found D.J. Moore for a 25-yard touchdown with 1:43 left. The final 31-27 score is going to be talked about in Chicago for years. It’s the biggest postseason comeback in the history of the franchise. For Jordan Love and the Packers, it’s a brutal way to end a season that saw them win nine of their last twelve.
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Josh Allen vs. Trevor Lawrence: An Absolute Duel
Sunday started with the Buffalo Bills heading into Jacksonville, and man, was it a slugfest. It wasn't always pretty, but it was high-stakes.
Buffalo walked away with a 27-24 win, and it largely came down to Josh Allen doing "Josh Allen things." He finished the game with a 1-yard touchdown plunge late in the fourth to put them ahead. But don't let the score fool you into thinking Trevor Lawrence played poorly. He rallied the Jags twice in the final frame.
The real dagger came when Cole Bishop picked off Lawrence late. That interception secured Buffalo's first road playoff win since the 1992 AFC Championship game. Think about that. Most of the guys on the field weren't even born the last time the Bills won a postseason game away from Orchard Park.
The Champs Are Out: San Francisco Stuns Philadelphia
If you had the defending champion Eagles losing in the first round on your bingo card, you're a genius. Or maybe just a Niners fan.
San Francisco went into Philly and knocked off the champs 23-19. It was a vintage Kyle Shanahan game plan. They relied heavily on Christian McCaffrey, who was basically the entire offense. He caught a 29-yard touchdown from... wide receiver Jauan Jennings. Yeah, a trick play in the playoffs.
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Brock Purdy eventually found McCaffrey for a 4-yard score with under three minutes left to seal it. The Eagles’ offense just looked stagnant when it mattered most. They’ve already announced that Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo is out, which tells you everything you need to know about the mood in Philadelphia right now.
Taking a Look at the Divisional Round Bracket
Now that the dust has settled on the NFL football results from the Wild Card round, the path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is set.
The NFC West is absolutely dominating right now. They have three of the four teams remaining in the NFC. That’s only happened four times in NFL history.
AFC Matchups
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: Saturday, Jan 17 (4:30 p.m. ET)
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: Sunday, Jan 18 (3:00 p.m. ET)
NFC Matchups
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: Saturday, Jan 17 (8:00 p.m. ET)
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: Sunday, Jan 18 (6:30 p.m. ET)
The Houston Texans are probably the biggest "surprise" left in the AFC after they dismantled the Steelers 30-6. DeMeco Ryans has that defense playing at a level that should genuinely scare the Patriots.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rams
Everyone looked at the Rams-Panthers game and thought it would be a blowout. The Rams were double-digit favorites.
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Instead, it was a 34-31 nail-biter. Matthew Stafford had to drive 71 yards in two minutes just to survive. Colby Parkinson made a tightrope catch in the end zone that I still don't understand how he kept his feet in.
People think the Rams are a "finesse" team because of McVay, but they won that game by being gritty. Puka Nacua had 10 catches and even a rushing touchdown. They are much more physical than they get credit for, and heading into a cold Chicago environment next week, that’s going to matter more than Stafford’s arm.
Big Picture: Coaching Carousels and Retirements
While we were all watching the games, the league was shifting underneath us. Mike Tomlin is officially stepping down from the Steelers after 19 years. That is the end of an era.
Also, Adam Thielen called it a career on January 14. 13 seasons, two Pro Bowls, and one of the best "undrafted to superstar" stories we've ever seen.
Actionable Insights for the Divisional Round
If you're looking at the board for next weekend, keep these specific factors in mind:
- Seattle’s Seismic Advantage: The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network is literally installing sensors at Lumen Field to measure the "12s." The crowd noise in Seattle is a real, measurable factor that San Francisco has to deal with.
- Injuries to Watch: Fred Warner is dealing with an ankle issue. If he's not 100% against Seattle, the Niners' defense loses its brain.
- Chicago's Momentum: The Bears are 1-0 in their "new season" mindset under Ben Johnson. They’ve rallied seven times this year when trailing in the final two minutes. Never count them out.
The Divisional Round is arguably the best weekend in all of sports. Based on how the Wild Card round went, you probably shouldn't make any plans for Saturday or Sunday.
Watch the injury reports closely on Friday, especially regarding C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Braxton Jones in Chicago. Their availability will drastically change how the Rams-Bears matchup looks on paper.