The playoffs start this Saturday with what seems to be a pretty awesome slate of games save the Rams and Panthers. You could make a case for each game with Sunday in particular being laced with toss ups. There are no favorites on either side. Even the #1 seeds are led by QBs who you would not bet to ever lift a Lombardi Trophy. Below is a reason each team can win or dye trying, plus what’s best for either the Eagles or my own narrative. I’m selfish like that.
Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers
- Time: Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 4:30p on FOX
- Rams: In the middle of the season, the Rams went on an 8-1 run with only what seemed like a freak loss to the Panthers breaking up the streak. They were the best team in the league by most estimations. Then they failed to capitalize on 3 Seattle turnovers in a wild loss to the Seahawks, were upset by the Falcons, and didn’t seem to really care to much against the Cardinals to finish the season. Did the Rams peak too soon? Well, you don’t exactly feel great about them coming into the playoffs, that’s for sure. However, they certainly are more battle tested than any team in the NFC except the Eagles. You expect them to win this one, but getting right in the NFL isn’t something you can take for granted.
- Panthers: Still, does anyone believe in the Panthers? It’s likely that the Rams didn’t take the Panthers seriously back in November. Stafford threw 2 picks in the first quarter then lost the game in the 4th by getting strip sacked. The Panthers were efficient, ate up the clock, and didn’t make any mistakes. That’s got to be the gameplan this time around in hopes that the Rams beat themselves. Easier said than done. There is a huge talent and record gap here regardless of what happened in their previous meeting. No mistakes!
- Eagles: obviously want the Panthers to win. After last season, a future dance with the Rams seemed much more likely than even the Lions or Commanders considering their youth and what happened in the snow game in the playoffs.
- Next: Rams/Panthers winner would play the Seahawks if Bears and Eagles both win or whoever of those two wins if one loses. If both lose, winner plays 49ers.
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
- Time: Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 8p on PRIME
- Packers: When the Eagles last left the Packers, their offense looked like hell and they seemed to be missing something but it was hard to figure out what, so the locals blamed the coach. Now the offense still looks like hell and they are definitely missing something, Micah Parsons. Of course, they won 4 in a row in the middle, but the Packers need something to make up for what they have lacked all season. Wouldn’t you know it, they may have found it. Since they were already locked into the 7 seed last week, the Packers rested most of their starters and got a bye week that the Bears didn’t. We’ll see if that is enough to beat a Bears team they lost to in spectacular fashion just a few weeks ago. They were up 10 with 2 minutes left and lost in OT.
- Bears: Conversely, the Bears decided to go nose to nose with the already eliminated Lions last week since the #2 seed was up for grabs. They did this despite knowing the Packers and Eagles were both resting starters. They still lost the game. Do you know what happens to teams that face Detroit? They lose the next week. Not counting the game the Packers’ backups just handed to the Vikings, teams were 5-10 the week after facing the Lions this year. They went 1-7 to end the season. If the Bears lose to a reeling Packers team at home after beating them a few weeks ago, this is why.
- Eagles: Getting revenge on the Bears would be really nice. They killed us earlier in the year and the defense looked gassed. I hate that. They would also probably be easier than the playoff Rams. However, a Packers win is not only an extra possible home matchup down the road but also a win for those of us who championed rest over playing for the small chance of the #2 seed.
- Next: If Packers win, they play the Seahawks. If Bears win, they play the lower seed of either Rams/Panthers winner or the Eagles.
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Time: Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 1p on CBS
- Bills: The Bills are rested and do not have to face Patrick Mahomes this year. They have the #1 rusher in the NFL, a top offensive line, and the reigning MVP. The NFL is constantly ready to fire up every excuse for Josh Allen and even to change the rules. Unfortunately for him, this Jags offense is just as good as his if not better. This might be an air-raid game that comes down to whether a team makes any mistakes. Allen has made it a habit of coming back late from early deficits this year, but that might not be possible against Jacksonville on the road.
- Jaguars: It took me a very long time to believe in this Jags team, but once I saw them I couldn’t look away. The offense looks like it is playing in the future. Back in 2017, Carson Wentz would throw ropes 20 yards down the field to wide open receivers seemingly every 3rd down. This looks like that. How is everyone ALWAYS open??? What the Eagles are struggling with on every play, the Jags seem to be doing with ease. Considering Buffalo doesn’t have the best defense, this one could get out of hand unless the young Jags mentally cramp up.
- Eagles: I don’t have anything against Jacksonville, but I clearly have a hatred for how the press treats Allen. For every excuse made for Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts is given another obstacle. It’s infuriating. Nothing against Allen and it doesn’t affect the Eagles at all, but I am not rooting for him.
- Next: Jaguars play Patriots if Patriots win; play winner of Texans/Steelers if Chargers win. Bills play Broncos if Patriots win; play winner of Texans/Steelers if Chargers win.
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
- Time: Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 4:30p on FOX
- 49ers: Despite being a finesse team, the 49ers are going to try to muddy this game up. After going from high flying against the Bears and having a shot at the #1 seed, they are now hurt and vulnerable playing in Philadelphia. They know playing straight up against the Eagles defense is going to be a problem. So what will they do? Take cheap shots, try to intimidate, and hunt turnovers while hoping for a homerun. There is no one better at ignoring this noise and playing his own game than Jalen Hurts. Now we just have to hope the refs use their flags to stop the expected SF bullshit.
- Eagles: If the Eagles win this game, the cocky/distraught scale will break. We are all a little afraid of a Patullo offense in the playoffs, but if Jalen Hurts shows that that doesn’t matter, we are going to lose our minds. If he can stay on the field and eat clock like we have in the past, this game will not be close. Good defenses beat good offenses until they get tired. The one thing that neutralizes the Eagles defense? Time. We give up late points because we have been on the field so long. Keep the defense fresh and this won’t be close.
- Prediction: 27-10 Eagles. It will be close early, but a TD before the half and a Saquon breakaway in the 3rd quarter put this game out of reach. An 8-minute drive to end the game seals it with no points. The title defense is officially ON.
- Next: Eagles play Bears if Bears win; play winner of Rams/Panthers if Packers win. 49ers play Seahawks if Bears win; play winner of Rams/Panthers if Packers win.
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
- Time: Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 8p on NBC/PEACOCK
- Chargers: The Chargers most impressive win this season was a gift by the Eagles a few weeks ago. When they really needed to bare down and beat a good team, they got their clocks cleaned by the Jaguars. You play who is on the schedule, but not rising to the moment has always been the Justin Herbert problem. In his 2 playoff games, he has blown a 27 point lead in one and threw 4 picks in the other. Can he get his first win over the #2 seed Pats? That won’t be easy. It would definitely be a way to shut up his detractors like me though.
- Patriots: The Patriots finished the season with by far the easiest strength of schedule in the NFL. Their record against playoff teams was only 2-2, with a win over Carolina, a loss to Pittsburgh, and a split with Buffalo. That’s just not a lot of challenge over a whole season. They didn’t exactly blow everyone out either considering they were 8-3 in 1 score games. That being said, they didn’t exactly let down either unless you count Week 1. Drake Maye simply didn’t do anything wrong all season and that kind of play gets you wins in the playoffs. Winning the TO battle wins games.
- Eagles: I would personally like to continue hating Justin Herbert, but I have no love for the Patriots either. Maybe the better the Chargers do the better our loss looks? I’m reaching for a reason to not be petty…I can’t do it!
- Next: If LA wins, they play Denver. If New England wins, they play the lower seed of Houston/Pittsburgh winner or Jacksonville
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Time: Monday, January 12, 2026 at 8:15p on ABC/ESPN
- Texans: This team is on an absolute tear and should probably be considered one of the favorites to make the Super Bowl out of the AFC. The defense is that good. In their 9 game winning streak, they beat the Jags, Bills, Chargers, and a still playing for their lives Chiefs. They’ve only given up more than 20 points in a game and lost once this year and that was to Seattle before they found their form. The question mark is CJ Stroud. They shouldn’t have a problem knocking out Aaron Rodgers, but Denver’s defense might be their equalizer down the line. Remember though, they played the Chiefs damn tough in the playoffs last year.
- Steelers: It was nice, but that game losing field goal by the Ravens only guaranteed that Mike Tomlin will coach at least a little longer than John Harbaugh in their long time homes. Whether it’s next week or next year, Tomlin is probably close to done in Pittsburgh. Is that fair? NO WAY! Harbaugh was given Lamar Jackson. Tomlin has made this work with scraps at QB ever since Roethlisberger got old. Not helping the whole situation is that Rodgers isn’t exactly money come playoff time. Everyone thinks that, but he has led the superior team to a loss more times than not when the season came down to the wire.
- Eagles: The Eagles defense has been amazing this season and last, but they might not be as fearsome as the Texans D. At the very least, they are equals. A Super Bowl matchup between the two would be brutal. I’m here for it!
- Next: Texans/Steelers would play the Broncos if New England and Jacksonville both win or whoever of those two wins if one loses. If both lose, they play Buffalo.
Philly Front Office 
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