StonesJournal

This piece, featuring current Clarion University Athletic Communications Assistant and owner of The Underdog Podcast on YouTube, Mark Ceddia, provides a quick run-down of each Wildcard round matchup in the 2025/2026 NFL playoffs and predicts a winner. Can we go 6/6?

Written By: AJ Stone & Mark Ceddia (1/9/26)

Los Angeles Rams Over Carolina Panthers: 

The Rams’ remarkable 2025/2026 season is far from over, and their journey to football immortality starts with a win over Carolina.

It’s hard to find a reason to bet against this year’s MVP favorite in Matthew Stafford, who has been elusive to every team’s defense this season, chalking up 4,707 passing yards and 46 TDs to only 8 interceptions. Stafford’s playoff pedigree should come into play in this early-round matchup against an inexperienced Panthers roster.

Furthermore, it’s an understatement to refer to Puka Nacua as just a “weapon.” If the receiver were to be a weapon, he’d be a war crime. Nacua’s dynamic season has him in the midst of Offensive Player of the Year conversations, and he has access to the potential MVP behind center.

Sean McVay’s Rams led the National Football League in points per game (30.5) and also total offense during the regular season. A Carolina team that finds themselves as the only playoff team with a losing record has next to no shot of watering down this potent Los Angeles offense that’s jam-packed with talent from head to toe. 

Jacksonville Jaguars Over Buffalo Bills 

Although the reputation of Bills’ QB1 Josh Allen precedes him, it’s hard to go against momentum when it comes to this matchup. Jacksonville ended their season with eight straight wins while the Bills sputtered towards the end of the regular season, ending as cold as their city’s winter.

A stat worth mentioning is that since the acquisition of wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, the Jags have an EPA (expected points added) per dropback of 0.207, which sits about five times better than league average. Meyers has been a deadly asset to Trevor Lawrence and Co., and as they look towards their first-round matchup with the Bills, they should be full of confidence.

As a team, Jacksonville remains above average in passing, pass blocking, receiving, run blocking, and defensive grades, according to Pro Football Focus. They don’t have many weaknesses across the board and have built themselves for playoff football. The homefield advantage pendulum also happens to swing in Jacksonville’s favor.

Although Buffalo’s offense remains elite, its defense could be the downfall in their matchup against a young and dumb Jaguar offense that’s ready to pounce. 

New England Patriots Over Los Angeles Chargers 

A Patriots team that ended tied for the best regular-season record in football looks to ride into round two on the heels of a first-round victory against the Chargers. Mike Vrabel has taken an immense amount of unproven talent in New England and pieced together what looked like a broken puzzle, presenting a legitimate case for Coach of the Year.

The Patriots’ dynamic offense led football in EPA per play throughout the regular season, a testament to the consistency they’ve had all year on both sides of the ball.

Chargers’ Quarterback Justin Herbert has been through the wire in playoff football, and it gets no easier in this matchup. All-Pro Corner Christian Gonzalez headlines a secondary that’s been quarantining from completions in New England. Herbert should have headaches trying to thread the needle against the Great Wall of Patriot in the backend of New England’s defense.

Not to mention that the Chargers’ receiving core has been very mediocre, and the Patriots have one of the better run defenses in football. Chargers RB1 Omarion Hampton has had injury concerns leading up to Sunday night’s matchup, raising concerns about his availability.

New England will look to turn this into a one-dimensional game where the Chargers utilize the pass game and witness a potential plethora of interceptions. 

Green Bay Packers Over Chicago Bears 

Go Pack Go! The cheese heads dive face-first into this rivalry matchup with reason to be optimistic. Green Bay holds the cards when it comes to past playoff experience. Coach Matt Lefleur and QB Jordan Love have previously teamed up to be the only seventh seed to win a playoff game. This should be a piece of cake, right? Maybe.

Chicago owns home-field advantage and the better record. Additionally, physical receiver Rome Odunze will make a reappearance from the injured reserve, while the Green Bay offensive line remains banged up. The Packers will also be without tight end Tucker Kraft and star edge rusher Micah Parsons.

This looks to be a game that will come down to the wire, and I’m banking on experience. Young Quarterback Caleb Williams has every reason to be the favorite. Will the Bears emerge victorious or get a head start on hibernating until next season? 

Philadelphia Eagles Over San Francisco 49ers 

Let’s get this out of the way: San Francisco is hurt. Nick Bosa (Edge), Mykel Williams (Edge), Brandon Aiyuk (WR), Ben Bartch (G), and additional depth pieces are all unavailable for round one of the playoffs. On top of that, even if they are to play, tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall have been banged up in the weeks leading up to the playoffs.

The Eagles also get to ET phone home in round one and harness the powerful Philly faithful in one of the best home atmospheres in football. Both of these teams have lots of playoff experience, but only the Eagles have managed to go all the way and hoist a trophy.

Philadelphia’s defense, specifically against the pass, has been well above average all year, and it should play a big role in silencing the 49ers’ offense.

Jalen Hurts has molded himself into a big-game QB. Will he continue to fly high as an Eagle, or will this loss hinder the legacy of Philadelphia’s QB1 forever? 

Houston Texans Over Pittsburgh Steelers

Likely the most lopsided of all matchups, expect the Texans to run away with round one.

The Steelers haven’t managed a playoff win since Barack Obama was still in office (January 15th, 2017, @ Kansas City in the divisional round). This contributes to the 8-11 playoff record that head coach Mike Tomlin gets to call his own. Outside of receiver DK Metcalf and defensive force to be reckoned with, TJ Watt, Pittsburgh lacks star power.

The Texans, on the other hand, have the best rush duo in football with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Both of whom were in the top five in pressures this season. How will aging Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ injured offensive line hold up against the likes of Anderson Jr. and Hunter in a playoff atmosphere?

Since the trade deadline, CJ Stroud has been nothing but an asset to his team, and he’ll ride a nine-game winning streak into round one. Houston has won a playoff game for two straight seasons; expect them to make it three.