The road to Super Bowl LX kicks off this Saturday, January 10, with the start of the 2026 NFL Wild Card Round. Over three action-packed days, you can watch six thrilling matchups on the same major NFL channels you’ve relied on throughout the regular season.
The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos secured the top seeds in their respective conferences, so they’ll sit out during Wild Card Weekend. But which teams will join them in the Divisional Round? Many analysts predict smooth sailing for powerhouse clubs like the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Philadelphia Eagles. But remember, this is the NFL Playoffs, and anything can happen.
Ready to catch all the wild-card drama? One game will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, so keep reading for a closer look at the round’s channel details, game predictions, and TV service recommendations.
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What channel shows NFL wild card games?
You can watch this season’s six NFL wild-card games on the following channels:
Games airing on CBS, ESPN/ABC, and NBC will stream on Paramount+, ESPN Unlimited, and Peacock, respectively. Spanish-language coverage will also air on channels like ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, and UNIVERSO.
Pro tip: Amazon’s exclusive Packers–Bears showdown isn’t entirely off-limits for local fans without a Prime Video subscription. The game will still air on WGBA-TV (NBC 26) in Green Bay, WITI (FOX 6) in Milwaukee, and WFLD (FOX 32) in Chicago.
2026 NFL Wild Card Weekend TV schedule
Wild Card Weekend will take place from Saturday, January 10, to Monday, January 12, featuring an exciting lineup of six games. The big difference this year? The massive NFC North rivalry game between Green Bay and Chicago will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on Saturday night.
Check out the complete NFL wild-card TV schedule in the table below.
TV listings for every NFL wild-card game
| Game | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 4:30 p.m. | FOX, Fox Deportes |
| Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 8:00 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video |
| Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars | Sunday, Jan. 11 | 1:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ |
| San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles | Sunday, Jan. 11 | 4:30 p.m. | FOX, Fox Deportes |
| Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots | Sunday, Jan. 11 | 8:00 p.m. | NBC, UNIVERSO, Peacock |
| Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers | Monday, Jan. 12 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes |
Data effective as of post date.
NFL wild card playoff predictions
NFL teams grind through the entire season with one goal: to reach the Super Bowl and claim the Vince Lombardi Trophy. But in the high-stakes Wild Card Round, even the strongest contenders can see their championship dreams shattered. That’s the beauty and heartbreak of playoff football.
Which NFL teams have what it takes to survive the Wild Card Round? Here’s our quick preview of this season’s six wild-card matchups.
NFC: #5 Los Angeles Rams at #4 Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers (8–9) are back in the postseason, hosting a dangerous Los Angeles Rams (12–5) squad to kick off the weekend. While Carolina has the home-field advantage, the Rams’ veteran playoff experience—and their high-powered offense—might be too much for the Panthers to handle in their first playoff game in years. This might be a tighter matchup than most would expect, but L.A. has the edge.
Score prediction: Rams 24, Panthers 20
NFC: #7 Green Bay Packers at #2 Chicago Bears
It doesn’t get better than one of the NFL’s most historic rivalries in a primetime playoff game. The Chicago Bears (11–6) secured the No. 2 seed with a surprisingly stellar season, while the Green Bay Packers (9–7–1) scraped in as the No. 7 seed. Soldier Field will be rocking for this Prime Video exclusive. Despite Green Bay’s history of dominance in this matchup, this season’s Bears team feels different.
Score prediction: Bears 27, Packers 23
AFC: #6 Buffalo Bills at #3 Jacksonville Jaguars
The Buffalo Bills (12–5) travel south to face a Jacksonville Jaguars (13–4) team that locked up the AFC South for the first time since 2022. Josh Allen and the Bills are playoff regulars, but playing on the road in Jacksonville has always been tricky for visiting teams. Expect a shootout, but I think Trevor Lawrence and the Jags have just enough firepower to edge out a victory at home.
Score prediction: Jaguars 31, Bills 28
NFC: #6 San Francisco 49ers at #3 Philadelphia Eagles
A rematch of the 2023 NFC Championship? Not quite, but the stakes are just as high. The Philadelphia Eagles (11–6) host the San Francisco 49ers (12–5) in what could be the most physical game of the weekend. Both teams boast elite defenses, but Philadelphia’s home crowd at Lincoln Financial Field could be the deciding factor.
Score prediction: Eagles 24, 49ers 20
AFC: #7 Los Angeles Chargers at #2 New England Patriots
The Drake Maye era in New England is officially underway with a home playoff game. The New England Patriots (14–3) host Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers (11–6) on Sunday night. While Herbert is always a threat, the Patriots’ defense has been suffocating down the stretch. I predict New England moves on comfortably, but it’ll still be fun to watch regardless.
Score prediction: Patriots 27, Chargers 14
AFC: #5 Houston Texans at #4 Pittsburgh Steelers
I’m still shocked about last week’s Steelers–Ravens matchup, but here we are. Monday night football in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers (10–7) host the Houston Texans (12–5) to cap off the round. C.J. Stroud vs. T.J. Watt is the matchup to watch here. The Texans have the explosive offense, but the Steelers simply find ways to win—no matter how ugly it looks. I’m calling for another classic Pittsburgh nail-biter.
Score prediction: Steelers 20, Texans 17
Best TV plans for watching the NFL Wild Card Round
You don’t need an expensive TV plan to enjoy NFL playoff games. Besides the wild-card clash on Amazon Prime Video, all playoff matchups air on ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. These channels are free with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna, and a great option like the Mohu Leaf 50 can provide reliable reception in most suburban areas. Just be sure to check your local coverage first using Antennas Direct’s TV Transmitter Locator.
If an antenna doesn’t cut it, YouTube TV remains my top pick for streaming the NFL Playoffs. It carries every playoff channel except Prime Video and includes NFL Network for extra postseason coverage. You’ll also enjoy unlimited DVR storage and slick multiview capabilities.
Looking for a deeper dive into playoff TV plans? Click the button below for my complete viewing guide.
How to watch the NFL Wild Card Round FAQ
How can I watch the NFL wild card games for free?
You can watch most NFL wild-card games for free using an OTA antenna to access your local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC stations without a TV subscription. If you're not within range of those channels, you can sign up for a free live TV streaming trial from services like DIRECTV or Fubo. Fortunately, Amazon Prime Video also offers a free trial to catch its exclusive wild card game.
How does the NFL Wild Card Round work?
The NFL Wild Card Round is the first stage of the playoffs. The division champion with the best regular-season record in each conference earns a first-round bye and skips to the Divisional Round. Meanwhile, the other six playoff teams from each conference compete in a single-elimination game for a spot in the next round.
Who are the NFL wild card teams?
The 2026 NFL Wild Card Round features the following 12 teams from the league's two conferences.
AFC wild card teams
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NFC wild card teams
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Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched the full NFL Wild Card Round schedule and confirmed the broadcast details for each game. Taylor carefully checked each matchup’s TV channel and streaming availability, considering the most reliable viewing options across cable, satellite, and streaming. Using this information, he determined the best ways to watch all six games based on cost, accessibility, and additional features.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
