NFL wild-card game predictions, schedule, and odds
We have everything you need to know about the six incredible games in the 2025 NFL playoffs' wild-card round before the weekend.
The Packers-Bears rivalry and Panthers quarterback Bryce Young's postseason debut against the Rams kick off the games on Saturday. On Sunday, the 49ers will travel to the Eagles, Josh Allen of the Bills will play Trevor Lawrence of the Jaguars, and the Chargers will travel across the nation to play Patriots QB Drake Maye. When Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers takes on a strong Texans defense on Monday, the schedule comes to an end.
(5) Rams at (4) Panthers
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET | Fox | LAR -10.5 (46.5 O/U)
What we're learning about the Rams: Wide receiver Davante Adams is anticipated to return to Los Angeles. Since worsening a left hamstring injury in Week 15, he has not participated in any games. Given that nine of his league-high 14 receiving touchdowns have occurred in goal-to-go scenarios, the Rams have missed him the most in the red zone. The Panthers have given up only five passing touchdowns in goal-to-go situations this season, which is tied for the fewest in the NFL, according to ESPN Research. QB Matthew Stafford remarked, "[Adams is] such a great player." "I just have to put it in the ballpark and let him go do his thing." Sarah Barshop
According to what we're hearing about the Panthers, the running game, which had 19 yards last week and only 99 the week before, is more important than quarterback Bryce Young. The Panthers rushed 40 times for 164 yards in their victory over the Rams in Week 13, and Carolina needs that balance. Young had three touchdown throws as a result, two of which came on fourth-and-short. David Newton
Stat to know: The Rams rank second in run block win rate (74.1%), while the Panthers are 32nd in run stop win rate (26.2%) and 26th in EPA allowed per designed run. It all sets up for a game where the Rams won't have to take as many risks because they should have success on the ground with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. But they will be without Kevin Dotson (ankle injury), who ranks 24th out of 62 qualifying guards in run block win rate. -- Walder
Bold prediction: In his debut postseason game, Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan will score over 100 yards. In the first game against the Rams, McMillan only caught one pass for 43 yards as the Panthers ran the ball a lot. But in this game, he will perform exceptionally well with a slow script. Solak
Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker is a matchup X factor. In three of his last five games, including Carolina's victory over the Rams, he has caught a touchdown. Coker must make explosive plays as a boundary target for Young if the Panthers are to defeat Los Angeles. Bowen
One bet to consider: OVER 46.5. The over cashes if Carolina scores early and forces a competitive game. The Rams can score 30-plus, while any early Panthers success prevents L.A. coach Sean McVay from slowing the tempo. -- Maldonado
Over the previous six seasons, the Rams have been among the NFL's least penalized teams; in 2025, they committed the fewest penalties (5.5 per game). The team of referee Clete Blakeman issued 14.4 flags on average per game. Seifert
Injuries: Rams | Panthers
Maldonado's pick: Rams 35, Panthers 27
Moody's pick: Rams 30, Panthers 17
Solak's pick: Rams 31, Panthers 20
Walder's pick: Rams 37, Panthers 13
FPI prediction: LAR, 74.9% (by an average of 9.6 points)
(7) Packers at (2) Bears
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET | Prime Video | GB -1.5 (45.5 O/U)
According to what we're hearing about the Packers, Green Bay has more playoff experience. Despite having only won one of their last two games, the Packers are in for their third consecutive season. "You still go out there and get beat, regardless of if you got hella experience or not," stated Xavier McKinney, the captain of safety and defense. "Ultimately, it's about what you do on that day," stated coach Matt LaFleur. Rob Demovsky
What we're hearing on the Bears: Chicago wants to avoid another slow offensive start after getting outscored 47-21, running 66 fewer plays, losing the time of possession battle by 10:43 and going 2-for-12 on third downs in the first halves of its past three games. It has been an especially common trend against the Packers this season (The Bears trailed 14-3 and 6-0 at halftime in the teams' regular-season games). "The biggest thing with us playing complementary football is us getting out to that fast start, having urgency right from the first snap and being able to go out and execute the plan, execute the openers and be able to go put points on the board," offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said. -- Courtney Cronin
Injuries: Packers | Bears
Maldonado's pick: Bears 27, Packers 24
Moody's pick: Packers 24, Bears 21
Solak's pick: Bears 27, Packers 23
Walder's pick: Packers 34, Bears 31
FPI prediction: GB, 55.9% (by an average of 1.8 points)
(6) Bills at (3) Jaguars
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET | CBS | BUF -1.5 (45.5 O/U)
What we're learning about the Bills: During his time with the team, coach Sean McDermott has never won a road playoff game (0-5). The Bills' defense has been the statistical difference between home and away games in the four games with quarterback Josh Allen (33.5 points per game allowed on the road and 19.8 allowed at home). This challenge is being embraced by the team. "Having the mindset that you and your guys are superior to everyone else. We welcome that, and we're really thrilled about it. "We could play anywhere," DE said. According to Greg Rousseau. -- Getzenberg, Alaina
What we're hearing on the Jaguars: The headlines might be about the QBs, but this game likely will be decided on the ground: the Jaguars' top-ranked run defense versus the league's leading rusher in James Cook III. The Jaguars didn't allow a 100-yard rusher in the regular season. "It's a challenge at every level of the defense, and the running back obviously is elite," defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said. "Cook does a tremendous job of finding cracks. You look at some of the stuff on tape, there's nowhere to go, and he pops through there." -- Mike DiRocco
Injuries: Bills | Jaguars
Maldonado's pick: Bills 27, Jaguars 20
Moody's pick: Jaguars 31, Bills 27
Solak's pick: Jaguars 23, Bills 21
Walder's pick: Bills 34, Jaguars 30
FPI prediction: JAX, 51.5% (by an average of 0.4 points)
(6) 49ers at (3) Eagles
Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET | Fox | PHI -4.5 (44.5 O/U)
What the 49ers are saying: In a different world, coach Kyle Shanahan and Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio would collaborate. When all indications led to DeMeco Ryans leaving (he did, to Houston), Shanahan intended to employ Fangio, who had spent time with the 49ers during the 2022 offseason. However, Fangio joined the Eagles in 2024 after signing with Miami in 2023. Shanahan must now score against a defense managed by Fangio that is ranked fifth in terms of points allowed per game (19.1). "[Fangio], schematically, he has always been the best to me," stated Shanahan. He doesn't need to make many changes to his excellent plan. The way he does his coverages simply causes it to change. how he does his fronts, the personnel groupings he does. He's very good at getting a bead on what you're trying to do and making you adjust." -- Nick Wagoner
What we're hearing on the Eagles: Philadelphia was equally respectful toward Shanahan. Fangio was complimentary of Shanahan's scheme and his ability to call plays, and he noted how "everything's packaged well together" and is purposeful on offense for San Francisco. The 49ers use motion on 70% of their offensive plays, the third most in the NFL. "It's an offense that challenges your eyes and your discipline," LB Jaelan Phillips said. "If you let all of the moving pieces affect you, that's when they take advantage of people." -- Tim McManus
Injuries: 49ers | Eagles
Maldonado's pick: Eagles 24, 49ers 20
Moody's pick: 49ers 20, Eagles 17
Solak's pick: 49ers 24, Eagles 17
Walder's pick: 49ers 30, Eagles 28
FPI prediction: PHI, 55.4% (by an average of 2.2 points)
(7) Chargers at (2) Patriots
Sunday, 8 p.m. ET | NBC/Peacock | NE -3.5 (46.5 O/U)
What we're hearing on the Chargers: QB Justin Herbert has been playing through a fractured left hand since Week 13, but he said this week that his hand feels the best it has since the injury. Herbert and other key starters rested in Week 18, a decision he said proved beneficial. "I'd say definitely not taking hits on it last week was probably pretty helpful," he said. -- Kris Rhim
What we're learning about the Patriots: According to quarterback Drake Maye, the Chargers have a top-five defense in terms of forcing three-and-outs and don't allow many explosive plays by keeping everything in front of them. The Patriots therefore prioritize maintaining drives and then taking advantage of one-on-one opportunities. "I like our players one-on-one. I prefer to give them an opportunity to make a play when it comes to ball placement. Be patient at the same time. Regarding the strategy against the Chargers, Maye remarked, "Don't be bored being efficient and executing underneath and letting things come to you." Mike Reiss
Injuries: Chargers | Patriots
Maldonado's pick: Patriots 24, Chargers 17
Moody's pick: Patriots 27, Chargers 24
Solak's pick: Patriots 20, Chargers 14
Walder's pick: Patriots 26, Chargers 23
FPI prediction: NE, 53.1% (by an average of 1.4 points)
(5) Texans at (4) Steelers
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN/ABC | HOU -3 (39.5 O/U)
What we're hearing on the Texans: Coach DeMeco Ryans has the utmost respect for Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin, saying he has "done it for a long time" and pointing out how Tomlin sends encouragement his way. However, based on Monday's news conference, Ryans will use the coverage being heavily slanted toward the Steelers as a rallying cry. He showed slight annoyance at the number of questions he received about Pittsburgh by sarcastically saying, "Y'all excited about the Steelers." In the 2024 playoffs, he used the pro-Chargers coverage as motivation for the team before its 32-12 win in the wild-card round. -- DJ Bien-Aime
What we're hearing about the Steelers: The pass-rush combo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter (29.5 sacks combined) will present the offensive line with its biggest test of the year. "Both of them just present major threats," stated LT Dylan Cook. "It's more about their shifts. They both have excellent spin moves, but we all know they're power guys. They both use their hands well and have excellent motors. Since Cook joined the team a month ago, the line has performed admirably, allowing just two sacks in each of the previous three games. Pryor, Brooke
Injuries: Texans | Steelers
Maldonado's pick: Texans 23, Steelers 20
Moody's pick: Texans 21, Steelers 17
Solak's pick: Texans 24, Steelers 13
Walder's pick: Texans 19, Steelers 16
FPI prediction: HOU, 54.7% (by an average of 1.7 points)
