All articles tagged with #wild card
Mike Tomlin closed out his 19-year Steelers tenure with a classy gesture, sharing a respectful mic’d moment with DeMeco Ryans before their wild-card loss and then a warm postgame handshake, as he announced he would be stepping down as Steelers coach.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Tyrell Shavers tore his ACL during the team’s Wild Card win over the Jaguars and will miss the rest of the postseason, head coach Sean McDermott said. He returned to finish the game with one catch for 14 yards and more than half the snaps. In 2025 Shavers stepped into a larger role with 23 catches for 245 yards and a touchdown. Buffalo also announced that Gabe Davis tore his ACL in the same game. The Bills are exploring WR help, opening Curtis Samuel’s practice window while Mecole Hardman Jr. remains on the practice squad and Kristian Wilkerson and Stephen Gosnell are in the loop for depth.
The Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs with a 30-6 loss to the Texans in the Wild Card at Acrisure Stadium; Pittsburgh’s offense struggled on third down, failed to convert turnovers into points, and could not sustain drives, while Houston controlled the game with effective execution. Coach Mike Tomlin called the performance disappointing but credited Houston’s defense, and players like T.J. Watt spoke about missed opportunities and looking ahead to next season.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle suffered a torn Achilles in their 23-19 wild-card win over the Philadelphia Eagles, exiting in the second quarter after his lone catch. With Kittle out, Jake Tonges became the starting tight end, while Demarcus Robinson and Christian McCaffrey led the receiving effort; the 49ers have battled injuries at multiple positions this season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026 at 8:15 p.m. ET, with ABC/ESPN on TV and FOX/ESPN+ streaming; Houston brings a top-tier defense and strong turnover margin behind QB C.J. Stroud and WR Nico Collins, while Pittsburgh relies on a balanced offense and home-field edge as both teams pursue a playoff win.
Green Bay is reportedly set to extend head coach Matt LaFleur after a disappointing wild-card loss to the Chicago Bears. ESPN says Packers president Ed Policy is weighing the extension; LaFleur, 76-40-1 in seven seasons with a 3-6 playoff record, finishes the year 9-7-1. Jordan Love has backed keeping LaFleur, while external coaching chatter and GM Brian Gutekunst’s one-year status add to the off-season backdrop.
The Steelers’ decision to bring back Aaron Rodgers paid off, finishing 10-7 to win the AFC North and earning a home Wild Card game against the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football. An NFL executive warned that Rodgers’ playoff form can be a nightmare for defenses, but Houston counters with a top defensive unit under DeMeco Ryans and a nine-game winning streak. Analysts note Pitt’s success will hinge on Rodgers’ quick decision‑making and accuracy, the line’s protection, and a looming test from Houston’s pass rush, with DK Metcalf back from suspension boosting the Steelers’ offense.
Jacksonville will play Buffalo in the AFC Wild Card Game without starting left tackle Cole Van Lanen, who is out with a knee injury. Walker Little is expected to start at left tackle after lining up at left guard recently, and he previously started at left tackle in 12 games earlier this season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars elevated WR Tim Jones from the practice squad to the active roster for the wild-card game against the Buffalo Bills. Jones has appeared in 55 NFL games (18 receptions, 169 yards) with Jacksonville and Minnesota, and played in two postseason games for Jacksonville in 2022.
The Patriots elevated DT Leonard Taylor III and WR Jeremiah Webb from the practice squad for their Wild Card playoff game against the Chargers, with Webb serving as injury insurance due to WR Kayshon Boutte's uncertain status and Taylor providing depth on the defensive line following NT Khyiris Tonga's injury.
The article previews the upcoming NFL Wild Card playoff game between the 49ers and Eagles, highlighting key storylines such as injury impacts, offensive strategies, the importance of turnovers and penalties, coaching chess matches, and X factors like special teams and key players, emphasizing the high stakes and strategic battles that will determine the outcome.
Packers' right tackle Zach Tom is inactive for the NFC Wild Card game against the Bears due to a knee injury, missing his fourth consecutive game. Other notable inactives include Case Keenum for the Bears and several Packers and Bears players. The game is held at Soldier Field.
An NFL projection model predicts game outcomes and betting odds for the wild-card round, indicating close matchups and potential value bets, with specific predictions favoring the Jacksonville Jaguars over the Buffalo Bills, and covering predictions for the Panthers and Bears.
The No. 6 seed San Francisco 49ers face the No. 3 seed Philadelphia Eagles in a crucial Wild Card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field, with both teams aiming to advance further in the postseason. The game features key matchups including Brock Purdy vs. Jalen Hurts and Christian McCaffrey vs. Saquon Barkley, and is a rematch of last year's NFC Championship. The 49ers, seeking revenge and a bounce-back after a Week 18 loss, rely on a potent offense, while the Eagles, undefeated at home in playoffs under Sirianni, aim to leverage their physical style and star players to secure victory.
The article provides predictions and betting tips for all six NFL Wild Card playoff games, including game analyses, predicted scores, and best bets, emphasizing matchups like Rams vs. Panthers, Bears vs. Packers, Bills vs. Jaguars, Eagles vs. 49ers, Patriots vs. Chargers, and Texans vs. Steelers.