Man, what a weekend. If you were looking for the nfl football scores last sunday, you probably realized pretty quickly that the "Wild Card" label wasn't just marketing fluff. It was a total gauntlet. Honestly, the scriptwriters for the 2025-26 postseason are outdoing themselves this time around.
Last Sunday, January 11, 2026, gave us a triple-header that basically reshaped the entire Super Bowl conversation. We saw a reigning MVP cement his legacy, a title defense go up in flames in Philly, and a defensive masterclass in Foxborough that felt like a throwback to 2004.
The AFC Shocker: Buffalo Bills 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 24
Let’s start in the humidity of Jacksonville. Everyone was talking about how the Bills hadn't won a road playoff game in over 30 years. Seriously, 1992 was the last time. But Josh Allen apparently didn't care about the history books.
He was a human wrecking ball. Allen finished 28 of 35 for 273 yards, but the stats don't tell the story of the "punishment" he took. He went into the medical tent twice. He hit his hand on a helmet. He looked like he’d been in a car wreck by the fourth quarter, yet there he was, plunging into the end zone for a 1-yard score with just 1:04 left on the clock.
Jacksonville had their chances. Trevor Lawrence was solid—18 for 30 with three touchdowns—but that final drive was a heartbreaker. Tre’Davious White, the former Bill now playing for the Jags, got a hand on a Lawrence pass, only for it to be corralled by Bills safety Cole Bishop. Game over. Buffalo moves on to face the Broncos, and the Jags are left wondering "what if."
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NFC Drama: San Francisco 49ers 23, Philadelphia Eagles 19
If you’re a Philly fan, last Sunday was a tough pill to swallow. The Eagles were trying to defend their title, but the 49ers walked into Lincoln Financial Field and just... took it.
It wasn't pretty. Brock Purdy threw two interceptions to Quinyon Mitchell, who is quickly becoming a postseason legend with three picks in five playoff games. But Purdy stayed cool. Even after George Kittle was carted off with what looks like a season-ending Achilles injury, the Niners found a way.
The real magic happened on a trick play. Jauan Jennings—the wide receiver—actually threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey. You don't see that every day. McCaffrey was the engine, as usual, racking up 114 total yards and two touchdowns.
Philly’s offense felt out of sync. Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni were spotted having a heated moment on the sideline, and while Hurts tied Nick Foles for second on the franchise's all-time playoff passing TD list, it wasn't enough. A late-game stop on 4th-and-11 by the San Francisco defense sealed the deal.
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The Nightcap: New England Patriots 16, Los Angeles Chargers 3
If you like "three yards and a cloud of dust" football, this was your Super Bowl. If you like high-flying offenses... well, sorry.
The nfl football scores last sunday were rounded out by a defensive slugfest in Foxborough. The Patriots defense was absolutely suffocating. Justin Herbert and the Chargers couldn't get anything going, managing only a single field goal the entire night.
New England didn't do much on offense either, but they didn't have to. They played mistake-free, took their field goals, and let their pass rush do the talking. It’s the first time in ages we’ve seen a playoff game where two teams on the same weekend (the Patriots and the Texans on Monday) didn't allow a single touchdown.
Why These Scores Change Everything
These results aren't just numbers on a scoreboard; they’ve completely flipped the bracket.
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- The Buffalo Curse is Dead: Winning on the road changes the psychology of the Bills. They aren't just "home-field heroes" anymore.
- The NFC West Dominance: With the Rams winning Saturday and the 49ers winning Sunday, three of the four teams in the NFC Divisional round are from the NFC West. That’s absurd.
- The Defense is Back: After years of scores looking like NBA games, the Patriots and Texans proved you can still win with a "brick wall" mentality.
What to Watch Next
If you’re following the road to Super Bowl LX, the schedule is set. The Bills head to Denver to take on the top-seeded Broncos this Saturday. That’s going to be a battle of the titans. Meanwhile, the 49ers have a date with the Seahawks in Seattle.
For the AFC, the Patriots will host the Texans on Sunday. Given that neither team allowed a touchdown last week, don't expect a 40-point blowout. It’s going to be a chess match.
Keep an eye on the injury reports this week, especially regarding George Kittle. His absence is a massive blow to the 49ers' scheme. Also, watch the weather in Denver; January in the Mile High city is never kind to visiting teams.
The divisional round kicks off on Saturday, January 17, and if it's half as wild as last Sunday, we're in for a treat.
Actionable Insights for the Divisional Round
- Betting Tip: Look at the "Under" for the Patriots-Texans game. Historically, when two elite defenses meet after shut-down performances, the score stays low.
- Fantasy Impact: If Kittle is out, Demarcus Robinson becomes a high-value waiver add for playoff challenges. He had 111 yards last week and will see more targets.
- Logistics: If you're heading to Denver for Bills vs. Broncos, dress for sub-zero wind chills. The current forecast is calling for a major cold front.
The postseason is just getting started. One weekend down, three to go until we hit Santa Clara for the big game.