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The 2026 NFL postseason is underway, and Wild Card Weekend has already seen several major upsets. As of Monday, January 12, 2026, the playoff bracket is starting to take shape. Heavy favorites were defeated by determined underdogs, which has significantly changed the betting odds over the past two days.
This year’s playoffs are shaping up as a “revenge of the underdog,” with three lower-seeded teams already advancing to the next round. The regular season rankings have mattered less than momentum and player health in the postseason. Monday night’s matchup between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers will decide the final spot in the quarterfinals.
The Saturday Shocker in Charlotte
The postseason kicked off with a high-stakes battle between the Los Angeles Rams and the Carolina Panthers that defied the double-digit point spread. In the days leading up to kickoff, the NFL playoff betting lines painted a clear picture of expectations, with oddsmakers pricing the Rams as hefty 10.5-point favorites based on matchup data, recent form, and public betting trends.
Once the game unfolded, though, those odds quickly felt shaky as the Panthers matched intensity and refused to fold in front of their home crowd. Matthew Stafford’s experience ultimately proved to be the difference, leading a game-winning drive in the final minute to secure a 34-31 victory. While the Rams moved on, they failed to cover the spread, reinforcing the idea that large playoff lines can be deceptive when pressure and unpredictability peak in January.
Carolina’s performance was a testament to the grit that defined their late-season surge under a young and hungry coaching staff. They exploited gaps in the Rams' secondary and nearly pulled off what would have been the biggest upset of the young century. For bettors, this game was a clear reminder that favorites are never safe when a desperate underdog is playing with nothing to lose. The Rams now head into the divisional round with plenty of questions about their defensive consistency.
NFC North Rivalry Renewed
In the nightcap on Saturday, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers met for a historic third time this season with everything on the line. The Packers entered the game as slight 2.5-point favorites, despite playing on the road at a freezing Soldier Field. However, Caleb Williams silenced his critics by delivering a composed performance that propelled the Bears to a 31-27 victory. This result was a massive win for the Chicago faithful, who have waited years for a postseason moment of this magnitude.
From a betting perspective, this game was a classic example of why home-field advantage still carries weight in the playoffs. The crowd noise and the familiar environment helped the Bears' defense tighten up during the critical fourth quarter. Green Bay struggled to find their rhythm in the red zone, leaving several potential touchdowns on the board. Chicago’s win as an underdog has set a high bar for the rest of the NFC field as they prepare for a showdown in Seattle.
Sunday's Defensive Masterclasses
Sunday provided even more fireworks as the Buffalo Bills traveled to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars in a matchup of two AFC titans. The Jaguars were 1.5-point favorites at kickoff, but Josh Allen and the Bills' defense had other plans for the afternoon, as highlighted in FanDuel NFL Weekly Predictions leading into the game. In a low-scoring, physical contest, Buffalo managed to grind out a 27-24 win that sent the home crowd away in disappointment. The Bills' ability to control the clock and limit turnovers allowed them to ruin the Jaguars' championship aspirations.
The late-afternoon slot saw the biggest upset of the weekend as the San Francisco 49ers stunned the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles. Entering as 6-point underdogs, the 49ers relied on a dominant ground game and a relentless pass rush to stifle the Eagles' explosive offense. The 23-19 final score reflected a game where San Francisco dictated the terms from the very first whistle. Philadelphia’s early exit means that a new Super Bowl champion will be crowned this February in Santa Clara.
Looking Toward the Divisional Round
The results from this weekend have created a fascinating schedule for the divisional round, which begins this coming Saturday, January 17. The top-seeded Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks will finally take the field after enjoying their first-round byes. They will host a group of battle-tested teams that are high on confidence after their recent Wild Card successes. The early lines suggest that the home-field favorites will be given a healthy amount of respect, but the previous games show that nothing is guaranteed.
As we transition into the quarterfinals, the focus shifts to how the top seeds will handle the rust of a week off. Historically, the bye week is a massive advantage, but it can also lead to slow starts against teams that are already in "playoff mode." The road to Super Bowl LX is getting shorter, and the intensity is only going to rise from here.
