Man, what a weekend. If you were looking for nail-biters, you probably felt a little cheated by Monday night, but the rest of the Wild Card round definitely delivered. Honestly, the post-season vibe is just different this year. We’ve seen everything from rookie quarterbacks playing like ten-year vets to legendary names potentially walking off into the sunset for the last time.
If you're hunting for the scores of the nfl today, you're technically looking at a breather before the Divisional Round kicks off. The Wild Card dust has finally settled. The Houston Texans absolutely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 on Monday night to grab the final seat at the table. It wasn't even as close as that score looks. C.J. Stroud was efficient, but that Houston defense? They were terrifying. They held Aaron Rodgers to 146 yards. Think about that for a second.
The Divisional Bracket is Set
So, where do we stand now? The NFL playoff bracket is officially locked in for the next round. No more "what-ifs" or "maybe-next-years" for the teams that got bounced.
The scores of the nfl today aren't active on the scoreboard because we’re in that weird midweek lull where coaches are sleeping in their offices and fans are arguing on Reddit. But here is the path forward. In the AFC, the top-seeded Denver Broncos are coming off their bye to host the Buffalo Bills. That game happens Saturday, January 17th, at 4:30 p.m. ET. Josh Allen just came off a gritty 27-24 win over the Jaguars where he became the first player ever to have two rushing TDs, 250 passing yards, and an 80% completion rate in a playoff game. He's a monster.
Over in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks also had a week to rest their bones. They’ll be hosting their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, on Saturday night. If you saw the 49ers beat the Eagles 23-19 last Sunday, you know they’re banged up. George Kittle is reportedly out, which is a massive blow for Brock Purdy.
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Wild Card Weekend Results Recap
Before we look ahead, let's look at how we got here. It was a bloodbath for some home teams.
- Los Angeles Rams 34, Carolina Panthers 31: This was arguably the game of the week. Matthew Stafford looked like his 2021 self.
- Chicago Bears 31, Green Bay Packers 27: Caleb Williams had 381 yards. In a playoff debut! The Bears were down big and stormed back with a 25-point fourth quarter.
- Buffalo Bills 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 24: Trevor Lawrence had the ball with a chance to win, but the Bills' secondary held firm.
- San Francisco 49ers 23, Philadelphia Eagles 19: A physical, ugly game that the Niners just managed to survive.
- New England Patriots 16, Los Angeles Chargers 3: Total defensive slugfest. Drake Maye did just enough to get his first playoff win.
- Houston Texans 30, Pittsburgh Steelers 6: The "Rodgers to the Steelers" experiment ended with a thud.
Why the Texans Defense is the Story No One Saw Coming
Everyone wants to talk about C.J. Stroud. I get it. He’s the face of the franchise. But if you watched that 30-6 win over Pittsburgh, you saw a defense that is fundamentally changing how people view Houston. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are basically living in the backfield. They forced a strip-sack on Rodgers that Sheldon Rankins took 33 yards to the house.
It's kinda wild to think that a team that was a cellar-dweller a few years ago is now making Aaron Rodgers look like he’s playing in slow motion. The Steelers had no answers. DK Metcalf was back from suspension, and he might as well have stayed home—he was totally erased by Derek Stingley Jr. and the Houston secondary.
Looking Ahead: The Divisional Matchups
If you're planning your weekend around the scores of the nfl today and the upcoming games, clear your Sunday too.
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On Sunday, January 18th, the Houston Texans head to Foxborough to play the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET. This is going to be a fascinating matchup of two young quarterbacks in Stroud and Maye. Then, to cap it all off, the Los Angeles Rams visit Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET.
The Bears are riding a massive wave of momentum after that comeback against Green Bay. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland had 137 yards in that game. He's basically a wide receiver in a 250-pound body. The Rams' defense is going to have their hands full trying to track him and Caleb Williams at the same time.
Key Storylines to Watch
- The Altitude Factor: Can Josh Allen maintain his Superman status in the thin air of Denver? The Broncos are 14-3 and have been nearly unbeatable at home.
- The Kittle Absence: San Francisco’s offense is built on versatility. Without Kittle, they lose their best blocker and a primary third-down target.
- The Youth Movement: We have several rookie or second-year QBs still in the hunt. The "Old Guard" of Rodgers and Stafford is thinning out fast.
Honestly, the parity in the league right now is better than it’s been in years. There isn't one "super team" that feels unbeatable. Even the top seeds, Denver and Seattle, have shown they can be moved if you get enough pressure on the quarterback.
Actionable Insights for the Divisional Round
If you're betting or just trying to win your office pool, keep an eye on the injury reports for the Niners and the Bears. Chicago spent a lot of emotional energy beating Green Bay, and "hangover" games are real in the NFL.
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Also, watch the weather for Foxborough on Sunday. If it’s a typical January Northeast mess, that favors the Patriots' ground game and their defensive-heavy style over the Texans' more explosive air attack.
The best way to stay on top of the scores of the nfl today is to track the live updates on Saturday afternoon as Denver tries to stop the Buffalo freight train.
Next Steps for NFL Fans:
- Check the final injury designations for Saturday’s games on Friday afternoon.
- Verify the streaming availability on Paramount+ and Peacock, as several games are exclusive or co-broadcast there this year.
- Monitor the weather forecast for Denver; a heavy snow game could drastically lower the expected point total of 45.5.