The road to Super Bowl LX heats up today with a massive NFL Sunday Wild Card tripleheader that promises drama, rivalries, and elite quarterback play. As we wake up on this Wild Card Sunday, January 11, 2026, the stakes couldn't be higher. Following a thrilling Saturday that saw the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears book their tickets to the Divisional Round, three more spots are up for grabs today. From a gritty AFC showdown in Jacksonville to a heavyweight NFC championship rematch in Philadelphia, and finally, a clash of young guns in Foxborough, today's NFL Wild Card schedule 2026 is stacked.

Bills vs. Jaguars: Clash of Styles in Jacksonville

The action kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS with the sixth-seeded Buffalo Bills visiting the third-seeded Jacksonville Jaguars. This matchup features one of the most intriguing statistical battles of the entire postseason: the NFL's leading rusher against the league's top-ranked run defense.

Buffalo running back James Cook has been a revelation this season, leading the league with 1,621 rushing yards. However, he faces a Jacksonville front seven that has been nearly impenetrable on the ground. The Jaguars enter the postseason on a scorching 9-1 run since Week 8, fueled by a defense that hasn't allowed a 75-yard rusher all season. On the other side of the ball, Trevor Lawrence is playing the best football of his career, having thrown a career-high 29 touchdown passes to lead Jacksonville to the AFC South title.

Key Matchup to Watch: Can Josh Allen dismantle the Jaguars' secondary if the run game is stifled? For those following the Bills vs Jaguars live updates, keep an eye on Buffalo's play-action game. If Jacksonville sells out to stop Cook, Allen's ability to improvise will be the deciding factor. The Bills are currently slight 1.5-point favorites despite being on the road, signaling that Vegas expects a tight, wire-to-wire battle.

49ers vs. Eagles: A Heavyweight Grudge Match

At 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX, the focus shifts to the NFC for the most anticipated game of the weekend: the San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles. This isn't just a playoff game; it's a bitter rematch of the 2022 NFC Championship Game, and bad blood still lingers. Both teams took different paths to get here—the Eagles secured the No. 3 seed with an 11-6 record, while the 49ers stumbled into the No. 6 seed after a Week 18 loss to Seattle cost them the division and home-field advantage.

San Francisco's defense, usually their calling card, has struggled mightily down the stretch, finishing dead last in the NFL with just 20 sacks. They will need to generate pressure creatively to disrupt Jalen Hurts, who has Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown ready to exploit any lapses in coverage. For the 49ers, Christian McCaffrey remains the engine, having led the NFL with 413 touches this season. His versatility will be crucial in quieting the raucous crowd at Lincoln Financial Field.

Prediction: Expect a high-scoring affair. While fans search for the 49ers vs Eagles playoff score, the real story will be in the trenches. If Philadelphia's offensive line can protect Hurts, their explosive playmakers should overwhelm a slumping Niners pass rush. We predict the Eagles to cover the -5.5 spread in a statement victory.

Chargers vs. Patriots: The Drake Maye Era Begins

The night concludes at 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC with the Los Angeles Chargers visiting the New England Patriots. This game marks a stunning turnaround for New England, who went from 4-13 in 2024 to a 14-3 record and the AFC's No. 2 seed this season. The catalyst? Second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who has played his way firmly into the MVP conversation.

This Chargers vs Patriots prediction is complicated by the brilliance of Justin Herbert. Despite the Chargers entering as the No. 7 seed, Herbert's arm talent gives Los Angeles a puncher's chance in any matchup. However, Jim Harbaugh's squad faces a daunting task at Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots have been dominant. New England's defense has been opportunistic, and Maye's poise in the clutch has been reminiscent of the franchise's glory days.

Look for New England to try and control the clock with their balanced attack, keeping Herbert on the sideline. If the Patriots' secondary can limit the Chargers' deep shots, the Cinderella story of the 2025-26 season should continue into the Divisional Round.

Updated NFL Playoff Bracket 2026

As we head into today's games, the NFL playoff bracket 2026 has already begun to take shape. Saturday's Wild Card openers delivered plenty of excitement:

  • NFC: The Los Angeles Rams edged out the Carolina Panthers 34-31 in a thriller, while the Chicago Bears stunned the Green Bay Packers 31-27 at Soldier Field.
  • Byes: The Denver Broncos (AFC) and Seattle Seahawks (NFC) are watching from home, awaiting the lowest-seeded winners from this weekend's action.

Today's winners will complete the Divisional Round puzzle. Will we see upsets, or will the favorites hold serve? Stay locked in for one of the most exciting days on the sports calendar.