The 2026 NFL Playoffs are set to begin with an action-packed Wild Card Weekend from January 10-12. The official schedule, released by the NFL, features six thrilling games highlighting intense rivalries and high-stakes rematches.
If you’re looking for the 2026 NFL Wild Card schedule with times, playoff game times, TV channels, or streaming options, this complete guide has you covered.
2026 NFL Wild Card Weekend Full Schedule with Times
All times are Eastern Time (ET). Higher-seeded teams host each matchup.
Saturday, January 10
- 4:30 PM ET: (7) Los Angeles Rams at (2) Carolina Panthers – FOX
- 8:15 PM ET: (6) Green Bay Packers at (3) Chicago Bears – Prime Video (Amazon exclusive streaming)
Sunday, January 11
- 1:00 PM ET: (6) Buffalo Bills at (3) Jacksonville Jaguars – CBS
- 4:30 PM ET: (7) San Francisco 49ers at (2) Philadelphia Eagles – FOX
- 8:15 PM ET: (7) Los Angeles Chargers at (2) New England Patriots – NBC/Peacock
Monday, January 12
- 8:15 PM ET: (5) Houston Texans at (4) Pittsburgh Steelers – ESPN/ABC
Mobile streaming available on NFL+ for all games.
Key Matchups and Storylines
This Wild Card round delivers plenty of drama:
- Packers at Bears (Saturday Night, Prime Video) — The legendary NFC North rivalry hits the playoffs for the first time since 2010, with bad blood from recent division battles.
- 49ers at Eagles (Sunday Afternoon) — A rematch of Super Bowl LVII, where both teams seek redemption in a potential classic.
- Rams at Panthers (Saturday Opener) — The Rams kick off the weekend on the road against the NFC South champs.
- Other highlights: Bills-Jaguars, young QB showdown in Chargers-Patriots, and Texans-Steelers closing out Monday night.
Rivalry and rematch games like these often see viewership spikes of 20% or more compared to standard matchups.
How to Watch 2026 NFL Wild Card Games
Games are spread across networks and platforms for maximum reach:
- TV Broadcasters: FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN/ABC
- Streaming: Prime Video (exclusive for Packers-Bears), Peacock (NBC game), NFL+
- Streaming now represents about 30% of total NFL viewership, continuing its rapid growth.
Why This Wild Card Weekend is Must-Watch
With top seeds on bye, these games set the stage for Divisional Round advancement and Super Bowl LX paths. Expect potential upsets and unforgettable moments as the postseason begins.
Search no more for the 2026 NFL Wild Card Weekend schedule with times and TV – save this page and get ready for kickoff! Who advances in your predictions? The road to Super Bowl LX starts now.
