NFL makes official dates and times of Wild Card games in the 2026 playoffs with intense clashes scheduled

The National Football League (NFL) released this Monday the official dates and times of the games in the Wild Card round of the 2025 season playoffs. The direct knockout phase brings together 12 teams in six clashes, with the leaders of each conference already guaranteed in the next stage.

The games take place between the 10th and 12th of January, distributed over Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The schedules were adjusted to suit the Brazilian public, considering the difference in time zones.

Fourteen teams are still alive in the dispute for the Vince Lombardi trophy, seven from each conference. The winners advance to the divisional round, where they face the bye teams.

• Saturday, January 10th
  • 6:30 pm: Los Angeles Rams x Carolina Panthers
  • 10pm: Green Bay Packers x Chicago Bears
• Sunday, January 11th
  • 3pm: Buffalo Bills x Jacksonville Jaguars
  • 6:30 p.m.: San Francisco 49ers x Philadelphia Eagles
  • 10pm: Los Angeles Chargers x New England Patriots
• Monday, January 12th
  • 10pm: Houston Texans x Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL playoffs format

The NFL playoff structure maintains the expanded model adopted since 2020, with seven teams classified by conference. The leader of each division receives a break in Wild Card and a field command advantage in the following phases.

This configuration increases competitiveness and gives opportunities to teams that finished the regular season in good shape. The clashes are defined exclusively by positioning, with no reseeding after the first round.

Saturday’s clashes

Saturday’s games open round Wild Card with two matches in Conferência Nacional. The first duel pits Los Angeles Rams against Carolina Panthers at 6:30 pm, in a match that promises balance between land attacks.

Then, at 10pm, Green Bay Packers visits Chicago Bears in a divisional classic marked by historic rivalry. Ambos teams arrive with solid defenses and experienced quarterbacks.

These clashes define the top seeds for the divisional round. Saturday’s schedule focuses attention on the beginning of the Brazilian night.

Games scheduled for Sunday

Sunday has three intense matches, starting at 3pm with Buffalo Bills facing Jacksonville Jaguars in Conferência Americana. The duel highlights mobile quarterbacks and explosive offenses.

At 6:30 pm, San Francisco 49ers face Philadelphia Eagles, current champion of Super Bowl, in one of the most anticipated games of the round. Jalen Hurts leads the Eagles attack in search of title defense.

The day ends at 10pm with Los Angeles Chargers against New England Patriots. The teams present aggressive defenses and different specialties in the aerial game.

This sequence of games maintains the fast pace of Wild Card. The winners join the leaders in the next phase.

Isolated match on Monday

Round Wild Card closes on Monday at 10pm with Houston Texans receiving Pittsburgh Steelers. The confrontation pits young attacks and physical defenses face to face.

This Monday night game tradition increases viewership and gives exclusive prominence to the match. Ambos teams are looking to surprise in the postseason.

Teams with automatic bye

Denver Broncos secured first place in Conferência Americana after the regular season and advances directly to the divisional round. The team led with a consistent campaign and now awaits the winner of one of the AFC duels.

In Conferência Nacional, Seattle Seahawks had the best overall campaign and also received the break. Esse privilege allows for superior physical recovery and strategic preparation.

Byes represent a significant advantage in the playoffs. Rested teams tend to perform better in the following phases.

Highlight duels at Wild Card

The confrontation between San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles revives recent high-intensity clashes between the franchises. Os Eagles arrive as current champions and have Jalen Hurts in great shape.

Another game that draws attention is Green Bay Packers against Chicago Bears, a century-old NFL classic. The teams share one of the oldest rivalries in American sports.

Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars promise to exchange big plays in the aerial attack. Ambos quarterbacks have powerful arms and elite targets.

These balanced matchups increase the unpredictability of the round. Qualquer result may change the path to Super Bowl.

Road to the grand final

The winners of Wild Card advance to the divisional round, usually scheduled for the following weekend. Nessa stage, the bye leaders enter the field with field command.

The conference finals take place at the end of January and define the representatives of Super Bowl. The decision is scheduled for February 8, on a traditional Sunday.

This compact calendar keeps the excitement going until the end of the season. The NFL plans each phase to maximize global viewership.

Structure of Conferência Americana

In the AFC, six teams compete for three places in the divisional in addition to the already classified Denver Broncos. Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans form the group.

Head-to-head matches test campaigns built over 18 weeks. The conference presents a balance between attacks and defenses.

Conferência Nacional teams in dispute

The NFC has Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers fighting for three spots. Seattle Seahawks leads and waits for the next phase.

National matchups highlight divisional rivalries and recent playoff matchups. The conference maintains a tradition of physical games.

Preparing for the postseason

The teams classified for Wild Card arrive after 18 intense rounds of the regular season. The expanded format gives a chance to teams that grew at the end of the championship.

Injuries, weather and field command directly influence the results at this stage. Treinadores adjust strategies for life and death games.

Round Wild Card marks the official start of the title race. Milhões of fans follow each move in search of Super Bowl.

Complete Wild Card calendar

The detailed schedule makes it easier for Brazilian fans to follow. Todos times are aligned to the Brasília time zone for greater convenience.

• Saturday (10/01): two games starting at 6:30 pm and 10 pm.
• Sunday (11/01): three matches at 3pm, 6:30pm and 10pm.
• Monday (12/01): closing at 10pm.

This distribution balances the televised schedule. The NFL prioritizes global accessibility in its broadcast.