- Do the Packers have anything left in the tank?: The Packers have lost four straight games heading into the playoffs. Do they have anything left to give?
- Get PFF+ for 30% off: Use promo code HOLIDAY30 to unlock the PFF Player Prop Tool, Premium Stats, fantasy dashboards, the PFF Mock Draft Simulator, industry-leading fantasy rankings and much more — everything you need to win your season.
Estimated Reading Time:13 minutes
We're diving into every matchup in the wild-card round of the 2025 NFL season — including key storylines, matchups to watch and injury news. The Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers kick things off on Saturday afternoon.
Click here to jump to a game:
LAR@CAR | GB@CHI | BUF@JAX | SF@PHI | LAC@NE | HOU@PIT
Los Angeles Rams (-10.5) vs. Carolina Panthers
Storyline of the game: Can the Panthers upset the Rams again?
The Rams enter the 2025 NFL playoffs as arguably the most complete team in the field. Their 96.2 PFF grade leads the league, and the Rams are top-10 in EPA per play on both offense and defense. Quarterback Matthew Stafford (93.5 grade; 1st) is playing at an MVP level, and his top receiver, Puka Nacua (96.3 grade; 1st), led the NFL in catches (129) and was second in receiving yards (1,715). They enter the wild-card round as 10.5-point favorites against the Panthers and are expected to roll them.
However, the Panthers have already upset the Rams once this season — a 31-28 win back in Week 13. Can they do it again? The Panthers’ defense forced three turnovers in that win, while the offense churned up the Rams’ defense on the ground, rushing for 164 yards. A Panthers victory would come as a surprise, but it would shake up the playoffs immediately.
Matchup to watch: Rams WR Puka Nacua vs. Panthers CB Mike Jackson
Nacua has been a cheat code for the Rams all season, and caught six of nine targets for 72 yards against the Panthers in Week 13, but had a tough time against Panthers corner Mike Jackson (79.1 grade; 4th). Jackson has been a revelation for the Panthers, allowing just 50 receptions for 610 yards and four touchdowns on 90 targets in 2025, and the veteran did an excellent job when covering Nacua in Week 13.
Jackson matched up with Nacua on six total routes, with Nacua earning three targets — catching one for 14 yards and a first down, while Jackson picked off another to earn an 89.9 PFF coverage grade. Nacua lines up all over the Rams’ offense, while Jackson is primarily a boundary corner, but the Panthers should put Jackson on Nacua every chance they get. The Rams’ receiver is the toughest cover in the league right now, though. He has at least a 90.0 PFF grade in four of his last five games.
Additional News
- The Rams activated S Quentin Lake (elbow) from injured reserve.
- Rams WR Davante Adams (hamstring) has missed the last three games, but is back at practice and ready to return.
Green Bay Packers (-1) vs. Chicago Bears
Storyline of the game: Have the Packers run out of gas?
The last month for the Packers has been tough. They lost superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons (92.0 grade; 3rd) to a season-ending torn ACL, the offensive line has been banged up and quarterback Jordan Love (88.5 grade; 5th) missed a game through a concussion. Consequently, Green Bay heads into the playoffs on the back of four consecutive defeats.
Since their loss to the Broncos in Week 15, the Packers are 22nd in EPA per play on offense and 28th in EPA per play on defense. They’re a team that’s struggling to get the wheels back in motion, and could be running out of gas heading into early January.
They face a Bears team that has lost two games in a row, but just wrapped up their first NFC North title since 2018. Can Chicago keep the good times rolling and take advantage of a struggling Packers bunch?
Matchup to watch: Packers’ run defense vs. Bears run game
Jeff Hafley has had the Packers’ defense looking like an improved unit in 2025. Through the first 14 weeks of the season, the Packers were top 15 in success rate and EPA per play allowed, and the play of Parsons gave them an elite difference-maker at the line of scrimmage. But since Parsons' injury, the Packers have fallen away, especially against the run — an area that’s plagued the defense in previous seasons.
The Packers' 57.9 PFF run-defense grade is 23rd in the NFL, and since Week 15, they’re 25th in rushing EPA allowed and 27th in rushing success rate. They’ve also surrendered the fourth-most explosive rushes in that span.
On the other side of the line of scrimmage is an excellent Bears’ offensive line. Their 77.4 PFF run-blocking grade is third in the NFL, and the Bears are second in rushing success rate in 2025.The Bears will look to control the game on the ground and at the line of scrimmage, and will likely have success. The rushing tandem of D’Andre Swift (81.0 grade; 11th) and Kyle Monangai (67.0 grade; 46th) has combined for 1,870 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns in 2025.
Additional News
- Bears WRs D.J. Moore (knee) and Rome Odunze (foot) are both questionable.
- Packers T Zach Tom (back/knee) is expected to play vs. the Bears.
Buffalo Bills (-1.5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Storyline of the game: A huge test for the Jaguars
The Jaguars hit the jackpot in 2025. The hiring of head coach Liam Coen helped take Jacksonville from a 4-13 team in 2024 to a 13-4 unit and the AFC South winner this season. The turnaround in just one short season has been remarkable. Coen has helped unlock quarterback Trevor Lawrence (84.7 grade; 8th), who completed 60.9% of his passes for 4,007 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions — earning a career-high 84.7 overall PFF grade — while the defense is third in EPA per play.
As good as the Jaguars have been, especially down the stretch by winning eight games in a row, the Bills will provide a huge test for them in the wild-card round. The Bills’ offense is third in EPA per play, and Josh Allen (87.4 grade; 6th) is one of the NFL’s elite. Though their 2025 season hasn’t been their best, the Bills are playoff veterans and could provide a real barometer for the Jaguars.
Matchup to watch: Bills’ run defense vs. Jaguars’ run game
The Bills’ defense has struggled in 2025, especially against the run. Their 50.4 PFF grade against the run is 27th in the NFL, and the Bills are 30th in rushing EPA per play and 22nd in rushing success rate. This is a team with a soft and gooey center that every offense should look to expose — even the Jaguars' offense, one that hasn’t been an exceptional rushing unit in 2025.
The Jaguars’ 74.6 PFF rushing grade is 27th in the NFL, and they’re 21st in EPA per play and 20th in rushing success rate. But Travis Etienne (72.6 grade; 29th) has had a nice bounce-back season, rushing for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 26 rushes of 10 yards or more, his highest since his rookie season. Lawrence has added a rushing threat to his game that hasn’t existed in recent seasons, too, and his 14 rushes of 10 yards or more are a career-high.
The Bills’ defense has permitted 54 explosive rushes in 2025 and should be wary of the threat the Jaguars’ offense can pose on the ground.
Additional News
- Bills CB Maxwell Hairston (ankle) is “unlikely” to play, according to head coach Sean McDermott.
- The Bills did not activate DI Ed Oliver (biceps/knee) from IR.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5)
Storyline of the game: Can the Eagles start to make it click?
The reigning Super Bowl champions are back in the playoffs and valiantly defending their crown, but the road to the postseason hasn’t been smooth. The Philadelphia offense, despite all of its talent, has struggled to make the pieces of the puzzle fit in 2025. The Eagles are 21st in success rate on offense, and have had five separate games with a success rate below 40% — dealing with poor play and injuries on the offensive line.
With tackle Lane Johnson (77.4 grade; 18th) expected to practice ahead of the wild-card round, there’s a chance the Eagles could have their All-Pro tackle back on the field. That’s a huge bonus for a team in need of a boost, especially against the 49ers’ defense — their 52.8 PFF defense grade is 27th in the NFL. Is this finally when the Eagles can start to put it all together, or will we see more of the same?
Matchup to watch: 49ers’ passing game vs Eagles’ secondary
The 49ers’ offense has been humming in recent weeks. Since Brock Purdy (90.0 grade; 4th) returned to the lineup in Week 11, he’s earned a 91.6 overall PFF grade while completing 70.6% of his passes for 1,581 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Likewise, the 49ers’ offense is seventh in EPA per play and fourth in success rate in that span.
They’ve flattened most opponents that have stood in their way, but take on one of the best defenses in the NFL — headlined by an excellent secondary. The Eagles’ defense is seventh in passing success rate allowed and has allowed the ninth-fewest explosive passing plays.
Eagles corners Quinyon Mitchell (74.4 grade; 16th) and Cooper DeJean (77.3 grade; 7th) are one of the top pairings in the NFL. DeJean has evolved into one of, if not the best, slot cornerbacks in the NFL, while Mitchell has allowed just 36 receptions on 82 targets. He’s a black hole for wide receivers. If the Eagles’ offense underperforms, Philadelphia will need its defense and the secondary to keep the team in the game.
Additional News
- 49ers LB Tatum Bethune (groin) won’t return this season.
- Eagles T Lane Johnson (foot) is questionable.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. New England Patriots (-3.5)
Storyline of the game: Can the Patriots perform against a top defense?
The Patriots finished with a 13-4 record in 2025, winning the AFC East for the first time since 2019 and exceeding all preseason expectations placed upon them. Drake Maye (90.1 grade; 3rd) has played like an MVP candidate in 2025, but a lot has been made of the strength of the Patriots’ schedule. The Patriots had the easiest strength of schedule in the NFL in 2025 and didn’t face many quality opponents on their road to success. Despite that, the New England offense still rolled over opponents and looked good against better defenses.
Now, the Patriots take on one of their toughest tests of the season. The Chargers’ 73.8 PFF defense grade is 10th in the NFL and fifth in success rate. Jesse Minter’s unit is rolling and can cause a legion of problems for the Patriots in Foxborough. The pass rush is top 10 in sacks, while the secondary’s 79.1 PFF coverage grade is seventh. Will the Patriots’ offense struggle at the first time of asking, or will the group prove that it’s the real deal?
Matchup to watch: Chargers’ pass protection vs. Patriots’ pass rush
The Chargers’ offensive line is one of the most vulnerable units in the NFL. They’re rock bottom in PFF pass- and run-blocking grade, and allow the highest pressure rate in the league. If any defense wants to cause problems, they know the Chargers’ weakness. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (83.2 grade; 9th) has been sacked 54 times in 2025, the third-most in the NFL, and has carried the offense on his back despite being pressured on 42.7% of his dropbacks.
They’ll face stiff opposition from the Patriots’ pass rush. New England’s 68.9 PFF pass-rushing grade is 18th in the NFL, but the Patriots pressure opposing quarterbacks at the 10th-highest rate. They’ve received considerable pressure numbers from two free-agent signings in edge defenders K’Lavon Chaisson (60.4 grade; 80th) and Harold Landry III (70.9 grade; 42nd), with the duo combining for 102 pressures and 18 sacks in 2025. They’ll pin their ears back and attack the Chargers’ offensive tackles.
Additional News
- Patriots DI Khyiris Tonga (foot) is questionable.
Houston Texans (-3.5) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Storyline of the game: Is the Steelers’ defense good enough to even the playing field?
It’s no secret that the Texans’ defense is an elite unit. Houston’s 83.0 PFF grade is third in the NFL; it has star power across the board and holds opponents to the fewest points per game. The Texans’ impact against a Steelers offense that has a lot of question marks is practically a given — even if Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (68.7 grade; 29th) produces a season-low time to throw in efforts to neutralize the pass rush. But the real question is, can the Steelers’ defense be good enough to reduce that advantage?
The Texans’ offense has looked better in recent weeks, but still has problems up front and struggles to run the ball consistently. The Steelers are still excellent along their defensive line and have the talent to ground the Texans into the mud, making this a low-scoring game. Is Mike Tomlin’s defense good enough to make up the difference between them and the Texans’ defense?
Matchup to watch: Texans’ pass rush vs. Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers
The Texans’ pass rush is going to be the catalyst for success, as both Will Anderson Jr. (92.3 grade; 3rd) and Danielle Hunter (89.3 grade; 5th) are game-wreckers. Even having one of them would be a boon for a defense, but the Texans are blessed to have both. They’ve combined for 176 pressures and 29 sacks in 2025 and brought offensive lines across the NFL to their knees. They’ll look to stamp their authority against the Steelers, but face a tough test.
Among qualified quarterbacks, Rodgers has the second-lowest time to throw in the NFL at 2.56 seconds, and the lowest of his career. The veteran isn’t an aggressive risk-taker, especially when faced with a tough pass rush, and will look to attack the short area of the field while picking deep one-on-one matchups when they appear. But by keeping the pass rush in front of him, Rodgers will look to control the tempo of the game.
The Texans’ defense still possesses excellent tacklers, though. They can attack ball-carriers downhill, and aren’t afraid to lay some big hits. Will that game plan work?
Additional News
- Texans CB Kamari Lassiter (ankle/knee) is questionable after missing Week 18.