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The first week of the NFL playoffs included four absolute thrillers, and weāre just waiting on this weekendās Divisional Round: Bills vs. Broncos (Sat. 4:30 PM ET), 49ers vs. Seahawks (Sat. 8:00 PM ET), Texans vs. Patriots (Sun. 3:00 PM ET), Rams vs. Bears (Sun. 6:30 PM ET).
š Wild Card Round delivers
The Wild Card Round began with the Rams escaping Carolina with a 34-31 victory as the Panthers gave Los Angeles all they could handle as a double-digit underdog. Panthers QB Bryce Young (264 yards, one TD, one INT, and a rushing TD) was great and had the go-ahead touchdown to WR Jalen Coker with 2:39 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Rams answered as QB Matthew Stafford (304 yards, three TD, one INT) hit TE Colby Parkinson with a 19-yard game-winner in the final minute. The game tied a playoff record with four lead changes in the fourth quarter, which last happened in the classic battle between the Patriots (with Tom Brady) and Chiefs (with Patrick Mahomes) in 2018.
The game of Wild Card weekend was Packers-Bears on Saturday night, as Chicago erased a 21-3 halftime deficit to stun Green Bay in a thriller, 31-27. There was no shortage of memorable moments (especially by QB Caleb Williams), and none were more important than the unbelievable fourth-down conversion when down 27-16 with less than six minutes remainingāas Williams dropped an absolute dime to WR Rome Odunze. Rookie TE Colston Loveland (eight receptions for 137 yards) was also clutch and made history with his performance, while the defense coordinated by Dennis Allen completely shut down the Packers in the second half.
On Sunday, the Bills advanced with a 27-24 victory in Jacksonville, as QB Josh Allen played close to a flawless game and rushed for the game-winning touchdown with 1:04 remaining. There were multiple fourth-down conversions for Buffalo in the win, and Allenās anticipation on a key downfield connection to veteran WR Brandin Cooks showed how ice cold the reigning MVP is. The game was sealed on an interception by S Cole Bishop after a deflection by CB TreāDavious White, and Allen improved upon his all-time best TD-INT ratio in the postseason.
The defending champion Eagles were knocked off by the 49ers, 23-19, to end what has been a disappointing season for them. Philadelphia appeared to have a handle on the game despite the narrow lead throughout, and TE George Kittle going down with a torn Achilles for San Francisco combined with CB Quinyon Mitchell recording two INTs had them in control. But as was the case too often in 2025, the Eagles could not get going offensively, and the game turned on a trick-play TD pass from WR Jauan Jennings to RB Christian McCaffrey to begin the fourth quarter; the Niners then won it on a TD catch by McCaffrey to answer a late FG by Philly.
The final game on Sunday didnāt live up to the classic battles preceding it over the weekend, but it was still a one-possession game for the most part as the Patriots defeated the Chargers, 16-3. No touchdowns were scored until QB Drake Maye found TE Hunter Henry late to essentially seal the win for New England, and Chargers QB Justin Herbert did not play wellāgoing 19-of-31 for 159 yards and absorbing six sacks. Perhaps he didnāt trust his offensive line to let things develop, but Herbert declined to take a few vertical shots to Ladd McConkey (and at least one to Quentin Johnston) that were open, and heās now 0-3 in the postseason.
Texans-Steelers started as a gritty defensive battle, but Houston ultimately pulled away despite three ugly turnovers on offense. The Texans defense is ājust insane,ā and held QB Aaron Rodgers out of the end zone in what might be his final career game. While the Texans head to New England with a shot at making the AFC title game, the Steelers have now lost seven consecutive playoff games.
š¦āā¬ Ravens move on from Harbaugh
In a post-Black Monday surprise, the Ravens fired HC John Harbaugh after 18 seasons.
Harbaugh went 180-113 with Baltimore, as well as 13-11 in the postseason including a Super Bowl XLVII victory in the 2012 season.
The former Coach of the Year instantly vaulted to the top of the list for seemingly every team with a HC openingāand even teams without openings reportedly showed interest.
Harbaugh already had an official phone interview with the Falcons, and heās determining which teams to meet with.
The Ravens moving on from Harbaugh was a surprise, with the front office apparently trying to talk team owner Steve Bisciotti into not making the move. While there was talk about the relationship between Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson, itās said that multiple players were crying for their goodbyes to the long-time HC.
A big question is now whatās next for Baltimore, as thatās obviously a highly desirable opening given some of the talent there and the franchise being one of the leagueās best.
š NFL coach and front office moves
While Harbaugh was the headliner, the Dolphins also made a late move in firing HC Mike McDaniel after he appeared safe. Team owner Stephen M. Ross made a respectful statement about McDaniel, who went 35-33 in three seasons (and 0-2 in the playoffs) and is immediately drawing both HC interestāand at the very least is set to land an OC role, with the Lions among teams showing interest.
The Falcons officially hired former NFL MVP Matt Ryan as their president of football.
The Dolphins hired Packers exec Jon-Eric Sullivan as their GM.
The Commanders basically cleaned house aside from HC Dan Quinn, headlined by moving on from OC Kliff Kingsbury (which players werenāt happy about) DC Joe Whitt Jr. Washington promoted former NFL QB David Blough to OC.
Other assistant coaching moves:
Like Washington, Tampa Bay made wholesale changes to the assistant staff, including firing OC Josh Grizzard after one season.
The Cowboys fired DC Matt Eberflus after one season.
The Lions moved on from OC John Morton, who was forced to relinquish play-calling duties during his lone year.
After 62 years of coaching including 48 in the NFL and the past seven with the Bucs, coach Tom Moore retired.
š° More NFL news and notes
The 2025 NFL All-Pro teams were headlined by unanimous selections Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Myles Garrett.
In addition to Kittle, also out for the postseason: Rams CB Akhello Witherspoon (shoulder) and Bears LB TJ Edwards (fibula) and OT Ozzy Trapilo (knee).
Panthers OT Ickey Ekwonu suffered a torn patellar in the playoff loss.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said they are going to do some ādramatic thingsā this offseason in terms of adding players.
Off-field questions: The Chiefs say they are aware of the domestic abuse allegations against star WR Rashee Rice, while Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore was arrested on weapons charges.
The Falcons restructured QB Kirk Cousinsā contract, giving both sides more time to determine their future.
Other Sports Updates
š College Football Playoff National Championship: After wins over Ole Miss and Oregon, Miami and Indiana will match up Monday night at 7:30 PM ET.
ā¾ļø The Cubs pulled a surprise move by getting 3B Alex Bregman, who left the Red Sox, on a five-year deal.
ā³ļø The PGA TOUR announced a Returning Members Program, headlined by Brooks Koepkaās return, for players coming back from LIV Golf.
šļø Utah will host the 2027 NHL Winter Classic.
š³ The Aās were denied trademark requests for their move to Las Vegas.