Honestly, if you took a nap during Wild Card weekend, you might wake up thinking you’re in an alternate dimension. The NFL games today scores aren't just numbers on a ticker; they represent a massive shift in the league's power structure. We just witnessed a historic slate where four games were decided by four points or fewer. That’s a record, by the way.
The dust has finally settled on the first round. We’re currently in that weird, quiet pocket between the Wild Card chaos and the Divisional Round mayhem. There are no games tonight, Thursday, January 15, 2026. If you’re looking for a Thursday Night Football fix, you’re out of luck until next season. The league preserves the players for the Saturday and Sunday double-headers.
The Scoreboard: Who Survived the Wild Card Gauntlet?
The weekend started with a shootout in Charlotte. The Los Angeles Rams narrowly edged out the Carolina Panthers 34-31. Matthew Stafford looked like his vintage self, orchestrating a 71-yard drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown strike to Colby Parkinson with only 38 seconds left.
Then things got even weirder in Chicago. The Bears pulled off a 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers, but it wasn't a standard victory. They were trailing by 15 points entering the fourth quarter. Caleb Williams found D.J. Moore for a 25-yard touchdown with 1:43 to go, completing one of the largest fourth-quarter comebacks in playoff history.
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Sunday was just as breathless. Josh Allen did Josh Allen things, leading the Buffalo Bills to a 27-24 road victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Allen became the first player in NFL history to post 250+ passing yards, two rushing touchdowns, and an 80% completion rate in a single playoff game.
Wild Card Results At A Glance
- LA Rams 34, Carolina Panthers 31
- Chicago Bears 31, Green Bay Packers 27
- Buffalo Bills 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 24
- San Francisco 49ers 23, Philadelphia Eagles 19
- New England Patriots 16, LA Chargers 3
- Houston Texans 30, Pittsburgh Steelers 6
The 49ers’ 23-19 win over the Eagles was particularly brutal. San Francisco lost George Kittle to a nasty Achilles injury, which is basically a nightmare scenario for their Super Bowl hopes. Despite that, Brock Purdy managed to find Christian McCaffrey for a 4-yard TD late in the game to seal the deal.
Why the NFL Games Today Scores Signal a Changing Guard
Look at the quarterbacks who just won. You’ve got the old guard like Stafford, but then you have Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and C.J. Stroud all advancing. Drake Maye’s playoff debut was remarkably poised, leading the Patriots to a 16-3 win over Justin Herbert and the Chargers. It wasn't flashy, but it was effective.
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The Houston Texans are arguably the scariest team left in the AFC. They absolutely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 on Monday night. It was the first road playoff win in the history of the Texans franchise. They scored 23 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Think about that for a second. A defensive touchdown by Sheldon Rankins after a Will Anderson Jr. strip-sack of Aaron Rodgers basically ended the Steelers' season.
What’s Next: The Divisional Round Schedule
Since there are no NFL games today scores to report for this Thursday, everyone is looking toward Saturday. The No. 1 seeds—the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks—are finally coming off their bye weeks.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS): This is a massive test for Josh Allen at altitude. The Broncos have been nearly unbeatable at home this year.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 p.m. ET, FOX): A classic NFC West rivalry. The 49ers are playing on short rest and without Kittle, which makes Seattle a heavy favorite in most Vegas circles.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN): A battle of the young QBs. C.J. Stroud vs. Drake Maye. The winner gets a ticket to the AFC Championship.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC): The Bears haven't hosted a divisional-round game in 15 years. Soldier Field is going to be electric.
Expert Insight: The Seventh Seed Problem
We need to talk about the "7-seed" trend. This year, both the Packers and the Chargers (the 7-seeds) lost. Since the NFL expanded to seven teams per conference, those bottom seeds are now a combined 1-11 in the Wild Card round. The only team to ever win as a 7-seed was the 2023 Packers.
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Basically, the gap between the No. 2 seed and the No. 7 seed is still a chasm. The Patriots and Bears handled their business, even if the Bears needed a miracle comeback to do it.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're following the NFL games today scores and planning your weekend, here is what you should actually do:
- Check the Injury Reports: Specifically watch the 49ers' status. Without Kittle, their offensive scheme has to change completely. Also, monitor Nico Collins (Texans), who left Monday's game with a concussion evaluation.
- Verify Your Streaming: Saturday’s Bills/Broncos game is on Paramount+, and the Sunday Rams/Bears game is on Peacock. Make sure your logins work before kickoff so you aren't scrambling.
- Watch the Weather: Denver and Chicago are both expecting sub-freezing temperatures. This usually favors the power-running teams—advantage Broncos and Bears.
- Set Your Fantasy/Betting Lines: The Texans are currently the "hot" pick, but heading into Foxborough in January is a different beast entirely.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is narrowing. Only eight teams remain. Enjoy the break today, because Saturday is going to be intense.