The NFL regular season is over, now just 14 teams remain in the hunt for the Super Bowl. This weekend the playoffs begin with six matchups over three days. It’s a feast for football fans, coming on the heels of back-to-back National Semi-Final games in College Football. Below are my picks for the playoffs, let’s see how I fare.

Saturday Games:

Los Angeles Rams (12-5) at Carolina Panthers (8-9)
Line: Rams -10.5
About: On paper, this is the easiest matchup to pick. The Rams have been great this season and come in hot, perhaps the most dangerous Wild Card team. The Panthers, meanwhile, backed into the playoffs at 8-9 after two straight losses in must-win games. They got in thanks to a tie-breaker, but they are in. And yet, if we’re being honest, the Panthers have a chance. They are at home—a place where they beat the Rams 31-28 earlier this season. The Rams should be getting Davante Adams back, and plan to lean on him, Puka Nacua, and MVP candidate Matthew Stafford. That should be a winning formula. The Panthers, meanwhile, need to hope Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard can get it going on the ground, and Bryce Young can find some magic and connect with Tet McMillan. If Young struggles again, it will be hard for the Panthers to keep pace with the Rams.
The Pick: Rams

Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) at Chicago Bears (11-6)
Line: Packers -1.5
About: We have four Wild Card teams as installed favorites this weekend. The most surprising of those to me is the Packers. They were a Super Bowl favorite pre-season, but faded badly down the stretch. Sure, the injuries didn’t help. But the Packers lost four straight games to end the regular season, including a high-pressure game in Chicago, where they play Saturday night. So, why are they favored? Well, it probably has to do with history. The Packers beat the Bears in their first matchup in Green Bay, and probably could have come away with the win in their re-match, despite being short-handed. No doubt the Bears, who finished as the No. 2 seed in the NFC, would have preferred to see someone else. But Caleb Williams is getting it together when it matters most, and these Bears are hungry for some playoff wins. Will the Packers’ rust hold them back? Or maybe it’s just Williams’ time to shine.
The Pick: Bears

Sunday Games:

Buffalo Bills (12-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)
Line: Bills -1.5
About: Should the Jaguars be favored at home? Probably, but it’s not a huge surprise that the veteran Josh Allen is getting the nod here. The Jaguars have been under-the-radar most of the season, despite some quality wins and a great late-season run. The Bills, meanwhile, were expected to be here. In fact, they were expected to be a top seed. But the AFC is loaded at the top, and the 12 wins they managed wasn’t quite enough. The question here is whether Liam Coen can get Trevor Lawrence in position to make a run or whether Allen will look like an MVP and lead the Bills toward the Super Bowl. It won’t be easy, as the Bills will likely need to win three on the road to do it. But, if you believe in Allen, this might be his time to shine. Turns out, I am a true believer.
The Pick: Bills

San Francisco 49ers (12-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
Line: Eagles -4.5
About: The Eagles could have easily been the No. 2 seed. But the defending champions decided it didn’t matter who they played, and ended up resting the starters in Week 18. That’s fine as long as the offense finds a groove on Sunday. The 49ers, meanwhile, had a shot to maintain homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Instead, they have to hit the road as a No. 6 seed and won’t see home again unless they make the Super Bowl. It won’t be an easy road, but it will be better if the 49ers get Trent Williams back in the lineup. The 49ers were dominated on both sides of the ball Saturday against the Seahawks. Can they get the offense going and can the defense hold up? If not, it could well be a long afternoon in Philadelphia. Something tells me the Eagles, as they have most of the season, will find a way to get it done.
The Pick: Eagles

Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at New England Patriots (14-3)
Line: Patriots -3.5
About: The Chargers had another strong season, again winning 11 games and finishing as the second team in the AFC West. The Patriots, meanwhile, went from worst to first in the AFC East, ending with a tie for the best record in the NFL. These teams didn’t play in 2025, which makes their Sunday night clash some fun. The Chargers rested their starters in Week 18, not concerned with who they would play in round one. The Patriots, meanwhile, fought to try and gain the No. 1 seed, meaning they come in on a roll. The Chargers will need Justin Herbert to stand tall, something that has been a struggle in the post-season. The Patriots, meanwhile, lean on an aggressive defense and MVP Candidate Drake Maye at quarterback. I don’t think the Patriots came this far to lose at home on Sunday.
The Pick: Patriots

Monday Night Football

Houston Texans (12-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
Line: Texans -3
About: The Texans, the No. 5 seed in the AFC, are the fourth and final Wild Card team to be favored in the Wild Card round. And it’s not hard to see why. The Texans finished with the league’s top defense, and won nine straight games. Their offense is uneven, but has been enough with C.J. Stroud to get to 12 wins. The Steelers, meanwhile, had to go down to the wire to even qualify. They needed the Ravens to miss a field goal to punch their ticket. Offense is a challenge at times for the Steelers, as is the defense. But at least Aaron Rodgers gets D.K. Metcalf back for the playoffs. Still, it’s hard not to like the cut of this Texans team.
The Pick: Texans

Last Week: 9-7
Season: 170-101

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.