Wild Card weekend just wrapped up, and honestly, if you didn’t have a heart monitor strapped to your chest, you weren't watching the right games. We saw everything. Dramatic comebacks. Defensive masterclasses. Aaron Rodgers’ season ending in a rain of grass stains in Pittsburgh. The scores of the NFL football games from this past week aren't just numbers on a ticker; they represent a massive shift in the power dynamic of the league as we head into the Divisional Round.
You've probably seen the headlines, but the nuance is where the real story lives. Most people look at a final score and think they know what happened. They're usually wrong.
Wild Card Results: The Scores That Shook the Bracket
The weekend started with a literal shootout in Carolina. The Los Angeles Rams narrowly escaped with a 34-31 victory over the Panthers. It was a game of two halves, or more accurately, a game of "how much can Matthew Stafford's arm take?" Puka Nacua was basically a human highlight reel, finishing with 10 catches and two scores, including a crucial 5-yard jet sweep.
Then came the "Snow-less" Soldier Field classic. The Chicago Bears took down the Green Bay Packers 31-27. It looked grim for Caleb Williams early on—Chicago was trailing 21-3 at the half. But the kid grew up. A 25-point fourth-quarter explosion culminated in a 25-yard dime to D.J. Moore with less than two minutes left. Jordan Love tried a desperation heave as time expired, but it fell harmlessly to the turf.
Sunday gave us the Buffalo Bills edging out the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-24. Josh Allen did Josh Allen things, scoring a 1-yard rushing touchdown late to seal it. It was Buffalo’s first playoff road win since the early 90s. Think about that. Most of the players on that field weren't even born the last time the Bills won a road postseason game.
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Every Score from the Wild Card Round:
- 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
Why the Steelers-Texans Game Was the Biggest Statement
Monday night was supposed to be the "Aaron Rodgers Redemption Arc" in Pittsburgh. The Steelers had won 23 straight home Monday night games. They were the favorites. Then C.J. Stroud happened.
The Houston Texans didn't just win; they dismantled the Steelers 30-6. Houston’s defense, led by Will Anderson Jr., treated the Pittsburgh offensive line like a revolving door. Anderson forced a fumble on Rodgers that Sheldon Rankins returned for a touchdown, and that was basically the beginning of the end. By the time Calen Bullock picked off Rodgers for a 50-yard pick-six in the fourth, the stadium was half-empty.
It was a total "changing of the guard" moment. Houston’s top-ranked defense proved that they aren't just a fun story anymore; they are a legitimate problem for anyone in the AFC.
Breaking Down the Divisional Round Matchups
Now that the dust has settled on the scores of the NFL football games from the first round, we have our Divisional matchups set.
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The Buffalo Bills have to go into Denver to face the No. 1 seed Broncos on Saturday, January 17th. Denver is coming off a bye, well-rested, and playing at altitude. But the Bills just proved they can win on the road. The betting lines have Denver as a slim 1.5-point favorite. Honestly, that feels low given how dominant Denver was in the regular season, but Vegas clearly respects Josh Allen’s ability to go "supernova" in January.
In the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers are traveling to Seattle to face the Seahawks. San Francisco’s 23-19 win over the Eagles was a gritty, 12-round heavyweight fight. Brock Purdy found Christian McCaffrey for the winning score with under three minutes left, but can they do it again against a Seahawks defense that is arguably the most physical unit in the league? Seattle is a 7.5-point favorite. That’s a lot of points for a rivalry game.
Sunday's slate is just as juicy.
The Houston Texans visit the New England Patriots. If you like defense, this is your Super Bowl. The Patriots held the Chargers to just 3 points last week. 3 points! In the modern NFL, that’s basically impossible. New England is a 3-point favorite at home.
Finally, we get the Rams at the Bears. Two teams that survived absolute scares in the Wild Card round. The Rams are 3.5-point favorites on the road, which says a lot about what the oddsmakers think of Matthew Stafford compared to Caleb Williams.
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How to Use This Info for Your Next Steps
If you're following the road to Super Bowl LX, don't just look at the win-loss column. Look at the "how."
- Watch the Injury Reports for Nico Collins: The Texans star wideout left Monday's game with a concussion. If he's out against the Patriots' elite secondary, Houston's offense might stall.
- Factor in "Rest vs. Rust": Denver and Seattle had the week off. History shows that first-round byes are a massive advantage, but teams can start slow in the first quarter.
- Monitor the Weather in Chicago: Soldier Field is notoriously difficult in mid-January. If the wind picks up, the Rams' high-flying passing attack could be grounded, favoring the Bears' ground game.
The road to the championship is narrowing. Every point matters, and as we saw this past weekend, the final score often hides just how close these teams truly are to greatness—or elimination.
Next Steps for Fans: Check the official injury designations on Friday afternoon for the Bills-Broncos game, as Buffalo's defensive line depth will be tested by the Denver altitude. Monitor the line movement on the Rams-Bears game; if it moves past 4 points, the value may shift significantly toward the home underdog.