The NFL’s wild-card playoff weekend opened Saturday with a close game in Carolina, where the Los Angeles Rams survived a late push from the Panthers for a 34-31 win. All-Pro quarterback Matthew Stafford, 37, led a clutch 71-yard drive by completing six of seven passes, capped by a 19-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds remaining to seal the comeback win.

In the late game, the Chicago Bears staged a stunning rally to defeat the Green Bay Packers 31-27, erasing an 18-point deficit. Chicago trailed 21-3 at halftime and 21-6 entering the fourth quarter before erupting for 25 points in the final period. It marked the Bears’ seventh fourth-quarter comeback of the season and their first playoff win in 15 years.

Sunday’s action began with the Buffalo Bills beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-24 in a game that saw four lead changes in the fourth quarter. Josh Allen delivered a poised performance, completing 28 of 35 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown while rushing for two more scores. Despite visiting the medical tent twice in the first half, Allen did not miss a snap and finished the game without a turnover.

Later in the afternoon, the San Francisco 49ers knocked out the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles to advance. San Francisco continued to overcome significant injuries, including the loss of tight end George Kittle to an Achilles injury in the first half.

On Sunday night, the New England Patriots advanced with a dominant 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. New England’s defense stifled Justin Herbert, holding the Chargers to just 207 total yards while recording six sacks. One of those sacks forced a fumble that directly set up the Patriots’ only touchdown.

The Wild Card round wrapped up on Monday night with the Houston Texans defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6. Despite quarterback C.J. Stroud committing three turnovers, Houston’s defense overwhelmed Pittsburgh, limiting the Steelers to just 175 total yards, including only 81 in the second half.

Divisional Round Picks (Wild Card Pick Results: 5-1)

AFC Divisional Round Picks:

• (No. 6) Buffalo Bills over (No. 1) Denver Broncos
• (No. 2) New England Patriots over (No. 5) Houston Texans

NFC Divisional Round Picks:

• (No. 6) San Francisco 49ers over (No. 1) Seattle Seahawks
• (No. 2) Chicago Bears over (No. 5) Los Angeles Rams