I’ve got my 2026 NFL Wild Card predictions locked in for every game—picks, score calls, confidence, and a quick “upset alert” so you can scan fast and get on with your weekend.
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2026 NFL Wild Card predictions (picks at a glance)
| Matchup | Pick | Predicted score | Confidence | Upset alert? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams at Panthers | Rams | 28–17 | 80% | No |
| Packers at Bears | Bears | 23–20 | 60% | Yes |
| Bills at Jaguars | Bills | 27–24 | 55% | Yes |
| 49ers at Eagles | Eagles | 24–20 | 65% | Mild |
| Chargers at Patriots | Patriots | 26–20 | 70% | Yes |
| Texans at Steelers | Texans | 20–17 | 60% | Yes |
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Rams vs Panthers prediction
Pick + score + confidence
Rams 28, Panthers 17 (80% confidence)
Why this pick
- Matthew Stafford has been here before. In January, that matters.
- The Rams get a big boost with WR Davante Adams expected back.
- I’m betting on the Rams cleaning up the turnovers that burned them in the Week 13 loss.
- Bryce Young making his postseason debut vs a Super Bowl-winning QB is a tough first test.
Upset alert
- Carolina already proved they can punch the Rams in the mouth at home.
- If Stafford gets loose with the ball again, this gets uncomfortable fast.
Packers vs Bears prediction
Pick + score + confidence
Bears 23, Packers 20 (60% confidence)
Why this pick
- Chicago’s turnaround has been built on takeaways and late-game composure.
- Caleb Williams has shown that “rookie” doesn’t automatically mean “panic.”
- Both teams are limping in—so I’m leaning home field and the defense that can steal a possession.
Upset alert
- Green Bay nearly swept Chicago this year, and this rivalry gets weird.
- Soldier Field weather can turn a game into a coin flip—wind, cold, and one bad throw.
Bills vs Jaguars prediction
Pick + score + confidence
Bills 27, Jaguars 24 (55% confidence)
Why this pick
- Josh Allen’s playoff experience is the cleanest edge in this matchup.
- Buffalo’s defense has been clamping down on passing production lately.
- If the Bills force Jacksonville into a couple of “hero ball” moments, that’s usually where turnovers show up.
Upset alert
- The Jaguars are hot (eight straight wins) and they’re at home.
- If Trevor Lawrence stays patient and protects the ball, Jacksonville can absolutely take this.
49ers vs Eagles prediction
Pick + score + confidence
Eagles 24, 49ers 20 (65% confidence)
Why this pick
- Philly’s defense has been nasty down the stretch, and they’re coming in healthy.
- Rest matters in Wild Card week—especially for a team that wants to win in the trenches.
- I trust Jalen Hurts and a balanced offense to avoid the “one-dimensional” trap.
Upset alert
- San Francisco has the playmakers to flip this with two explosive drives.
- The 49ers’ defense has been leaking points lately—if that tightens up, the upset is live.
Chargers vs Patriots prediction
Pick + score + confidence
Patriots 26, Chargers 20 (70% confidence)
Why this pick
- New England’s been one of the steadiest teams in the league since early October.
- The Pats can lean on the run game (TreVeyon Henderson + Rhamondre Stevenson) to control pace.
- Los Angeles’ run defense is the soft spot, and the Patriots are built to poke it.
Upset alert
- Justin Herbert can erase a “good plan” in about three throws.
- If the weather calms down and the Chargers hit early explosives, the Pats may have to chase.
Texans vs Steelers prediction
Pick + score + confidence
Texans 20, Steelers 17 (60% confidence)
Why this pick
- Houston’s defense travels. That’s the kind of unit that survives ugly road games.
- Pittsburgh barely squeezed into the spot, and the Texans can punish mistakes.
- I like Houston in a low-scoring, field-position type game.
Upset alert
- The Steelers have been closing strong, and they’re at home on Monday night.
- DK Metcalf returning adds a real “one play changes everything” threat.
Wild Card Weekend upset alerts (ranked)
- Jaguars over Bills
- The Jags are on a heater and at home.
- This is my lowest-confidence favourite (55%), which is usually where the chaos lives.
- Packers over Bears
- Divisional games don’t care about your spreadsheet.
- Windy, freezing Soldier Field can turn this into a turnover contest.
- Chargers over Patriots
- If Herbert gets hot and the Pats can’t sit on the run game, the script flips.
FAQ
Who will win on Wild Card Weekend 2026?
My straight-up winners this weekend are: Rams, Bears, Bills, Eagles, Patriots, and Texans.
What are the best NFL Wild Card picks this weekend?
My strongest lean is Rams over Panthers (80%), followed by Patriots over Chargers (70%) and Eagles over 49ers (65%).
What are your Wild Card score predictions?
Rams 28–17, Bears 23–20, Bills 27–24, Eagles 24–20, Patriots 26–20, Texans 20–17.
What’s the most likely Wild Card upset?
Jaguars over Bills is the upset I’d circle first, mainly because Jacksonville is rolling and Buffalo’s edge is more “experience” than “matchup dominance.”
Are these picks straight-up or against the spread?
These are straight-up picks (who I think wins), with score predictions and confidence levels—not betting advice.
Final takeaway
If you only remember one thing from these 2026 NFL Wild Card predictions, it’s this: the favourites I trust most are the Rams and Patriots, and the game I’m watching closest for chaos is Bills–Jaguars.
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Sources
Sources: NFL playoff schedule and matchup times: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25348463-nfl-playoff-schedule-2026-wild-card-matchups-bracket-dates-and-start-timesRams injury updates (Davante Adams): https://www.therams.com/news/rams-injury-updates-quentin-lake-and-davante-adams-expected-to-return-for-wild-card-round-at-panthers-latest-on-kevin-dotsonWild Card weather outlook: https://collegefootballnetwork.com/nfl/nfl-wildcard-weekend-weather/Early Wild Card odds/lines context: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25348547-nfl-playoff-odds-2026-early-lines-wild-card-games-and-super-bowl-bracket