Honestly, if you thought Wild Card weekend was a fever dream, you haven't seen anything yet. The NFL just wrapped up a record-breaking opening round where we saw 12 fourth-quarter lead changes. Twelve. That's never happened in the history of the league. We’re currently staring down a Divisional Round bracket that feels less like a professional football tournament and more like a high-stakes glitch in the Matrix.
NFL Scores and News: The Giants Landing Harbaugh and Tomlin’s Exit
Before we even get to the grass, the biggest NFL scores and news stories are happening in the front offices. It’s official: John Harbaugh is going to the Big Apple. After 18 seasons in Baltimore, he’s finalizing a deal to become the next head coach of the New York Giants. It’s a massive swing for a franchise that has been stuck in the mud for years.
Then there’s the Mike Tomlin news. It’s the end of an era in Pittsburgh. After 19 seasons and never once finishing with a losing record, Tomlin is stepping down. He told the team on January 13, just 24 hours after that brutal 30-6 playoff loss to the Houston Texans. It feels weird. The Steelers searching for a coach is something that only happens once every couple of decades.
The Saturday Slate: Mile High Stakes and NFC West Grudge Matches
Saturday is going to be intense. First, we’ve got the Buffalo Bills (13-5) traveling to Denver to take on the top-seeded Broncos (14-3).
Josh Allen is basically held together by tape and sheer will at this point. He’s dealing with a "minefield of pain" according to some insiders, but he just keeps winning. Last week, he led a game-winning drive to beat Jacksonville 27-24. But here’s the kicker: Denver’s defense led the league with 68 sacks this year. If the Bills' offensive line can't keep Allen clean, it's going to be a long flight back to Western New York.
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The nightcap is even saltier. San Francisco vs. Seattle. A classic NFC West bloodbath.
- Venue: Lumen Field
- The Big Loss: The Niners are going into this without Fred Warner (ankle) and George Kittle.
- The Stat: Since 1984, teams with an 8-day rest advantage (like Seattle) are 7-0 in the playoffs.
- The QB: Sam Darnold led the league with 20 giveaways, but the Seahawks are still the favorites.
Losing Warner is a gut punch for San Francisco. He’s the heart of that defense. Kyle Shanahan says he’s "confident" Warner could return for the NFC Title game if they advance, but they have to get past a rested Seattle team first.
Sunday’s Matchups: The Rookie vs. The Dynasty and the Chicago Miracle
Sunday starts in Foxborough. The Houston Texans (13-5) are riding high after dismantling Pittsburgh. C.J. Stroud looks like a seasoned vet, but he’s walking into Mike Vrabel’s house. The Patriots (15-3) are the 2-seed for a reason.
Wait, did I mention the Chicago Bears? They are the story of the year. They became the fourth team in NFL history to win a playoff game after trailing by 15+ at the start of the fourth quarter. Caleb Williams is doing things at Soldier Field that Bears fans haven't seen in... well, ever.
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They host the Rams on Sunday night. The Rams are favored by 3.5 points, but Chicago has won seven games this season when trailing in the final two minutes. You literally cannot count them out until the clock hits zero.
Key Injury Updates You Need to Know
If you're looking at the betting lines or just trying to win your office pool, you have to track these names. The injury reports this week are a mess.
In Houston, the Texans are sweating over Nico Collins (concussion) and Denico Autry (knee). Both missed practice on Thursday. New England has their own issues, with lockdown corner Christian Gonzalez in concussion protocol, though he did return to practice in a limited capacity.
Denver got some good news, though. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is a full participant and will play against the Bills. Having him back to spy on Josh Allen is a game-changer for Vance Joseph’s defense.
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What’s Next for the NFL Playoffs?
The road to Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium is narrowing. By Monday morning, we’ll be down to the final four.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the coaching carousel as much as the scoreboard. With nine vacancies across the league, including the Raiders, Falcons, and Dolphins, the 2026 offseason is moving just as fast as the postseason.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Monitor the Saturday Weather: Denver is looking chilly; check the wind speeds an hour before kickoff to see how it affects Josh Allen’s deep ball.
- Watch the Inactive Lists: Keep a close eye on the 90-minute mark before the Texans-Patriots game to see if Nico Collins is cleared.
- Set Your Bracket: The Conference Championships are set for January 25, 2026. If the Texans pull the upset on Sunday, they make their first-ever AFC Championship appearance.