Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers (Saturday, 4.30pm EST/9.30pm GMT)
What the Rams need to do to win Hold on to the ball. Across five regular-season defeats, Matthew Stafford gave the ball away seven times with six interceptions and a fumble. In the Rams’ worst loss of the season, to the Panthers in November, Stafford held his team back from taking a commanding lead with two picks in the first quarter. Keep it tight.
What the Panthers need to do to win The Panthers are massive underdogs but hold an advantage in the vital experience of having already upset the Rams. An ultra aggressive approach highlighted by two touchdowns on long passing plays from fourth down won the day. Head coach Dave Canales needs to deliver a sequel on par with Paddington 2 to take the Rams out again. More gobsmacking, all-in playcalling can shred LA’s confidence quickly.
Key player Puka Nacua, WR, Rams. If Skynet made pass catchers. A relentless, open even when he’s not, one-handed catch machine. Pro Football Focus’s offensive player of the year, he earned the highest grade ever given to a wideout by their gurus (since records began in 2006) when he dominated the Cardinals in week 14. He led the NFL in receptions (129), yards per game (107.2), receiving first downs (80), 20+ yard receptions (27) and yards after catch for a receiver (666).
Prediction Rams over Panthers
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (Saturday, 8pm EST/Sunday 1am GMT)
What the Packers need to do to win Suck the life out of Chicago’s big-play defense. Give them absolutely nothing to work with – or at least as little as possible. Run the ball down their throats, let the frustration creep and creep, even if trailing by a few points. As the mental fog descends, completely let it rip with Jordan Love unleashing Christian Watson’s punishing deep threat. Taking too many early shots downfield risks playing to a major Bears strength.
What the Bears need to do to win Take a history lesson. Beating the Packers in the playoffs is possible. George Halas’s Bears thrashed the Packers 33-14 on 14 December 1941, the week after the attacks on Pearl Harbor, in Chicago’s only postseason win over their division rivals. The key to victory that day was George McAfee, Norm Standlee and Bob Swisher combining for more than 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns. If the tribute act of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai can recreate that stunning display it would take a heap of pressure off the shoulders of Caleb Williams. Let the young quarterback grow into his first playoff appearance slowly.
Key player Kevin Byard, S, Bears. The 32-year-old is the leader of Chicago’s turnover factory that topped the NFL in interceptions (23) and total takeaways (33). He contributed seven picks in a mighty return to form from his early years with the Titans.
Prediction Bears over Packers
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1pm EST/6pm GMT)
What the Bills need to do to win Protect Josh Allen. A thread runs through Buffalo’s five regular-season defeats: Allen feeling intense pressure, taking sacks and giving the ball away. Houston: eight sacks, two picks. Atlanta: four sacks, two picks, two fumbles. Miami: three sacks, one pick, one fumble. New England: one sack, one pick, one fumble. Jacksonville will be acutely aware this is the route to stymying Allen. The offense needs to be ready to beat back or help the QB escape the wave of pressure heading his way from kick-off.
What the Jaguars need to do to win “You don’t make the playoffs without being a strong defense able to take away something,” said Jaguars OC Joe Brady. Jacksonville needs to keep the success rolling by stopping James Cook. The matchup against the running back is a tough one; Cook owns the 2025 rushing title with 1,621 yards and 12 touchdowns while the Bills as a whole are first in the NFL in rushing yards per game (160). The Jaguars will not be fazed. They sit at the top of the tree in allowing the fewest yards per game on the ground (86) and 100+ yard games (five). In the seven previous playoff matchups between the No 1 rushers and run stoppers, the defense is 4-3.
Key player Josh Allen, QB, Bills. He’s the most talented player on either roster playing at the most influential position. In what feels like the biggest coin-flip game of the weekend, having a totem of Allen’s stature could be pivotal.
Prediction Jaguars over Bills
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 4.30pm EST/9.30pm GMT)
What the 49ers need to do to win Play to their massive strength in running back Christian McCaffrey. Run the ball, control the clock, then make it count in the red zone. A regular dose of McCaffrey will keep Vic Fangio’s defense honest as they also have to protect the deep pass from Brock Purdy. The 49ers absolutely need to lean into Purdy’s irrepressible downfield throwing if and when the defense triggers too far in McCaffrey’s direction as the quarterback boasts 35 passes of 20+ air yards and is No 1 in success rate in the NFL. If Purdy targets Adoree’ Jackson, the lame duck in Philadelphia’s secondary, his numbers could really pop.
What the Eagles need to do to win Keep the faith in Jalen Hurts’ legs. The quarterback has shone when given designed running plays down the stretch especially in do-or-die situations. This tactic could be highly effective against a corps of sub-par linebackers. Some eye-catching gains will be money in the bank to remind the quarterback and his offense of the power they can still generate even in a down year. That power demolished Purdy’s 49ers 31-7 in the NFC championship game in 2023.
Key player Trent Williams, LT, 49ers. With Williams the 49ers have been an offensive juggernaut. Without the stellar pass protector they scored only three points when needing a win over the Seahawks. Fortunately for San Francisco he has returned to practice after a hamstring injury and looks likely to start.
Prediction Eagles over 49ers
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots (Sunday, 8pm EST/Monday 1am GMT)
What the Chargers need to do to win Justin Herbert needs to get rid of the ball quickly. The Chargers have used 25 different offensive line combinations in 17 games and as such the amorphous blob in front of the quarterback have allowed the most hits in the NFL (129). New England’s strong pass rushing duo of Milton Williams and Christian Barmore are going to blow Herbert up if he holds on to the ball any longer than necessary.
What the Patriots need to do to win New England have found great success when using jumbo packages to power the running game. Over the course of the season, they’ve had six linemen on the field for 66 rushing attempts, and they’re second in the NFL with 6.7 yards per carry when using that setup. In the four games since their bye week in December the Patriots leaned into the strategy with outstanding results as 47 of those 66 runs garnered 8.3 yards per attempt. The Chargers have a sound defense but one that will probably still be overmatched by the power of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson running behind the six pack.
Key player Drake Maye, QB, Patriots. The likely MVP’s impressive ball security will be as important as his explosive production, which topped the charts among starting quarterbacks in yards per attempt (9), against a Chargers defense that recorded the NFL’s third-most interceptions (19).
Prediction Patriots over Chargers
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers (Monday, 8.15pm EST/Tuesday 1.15am GMT)
What the Texans need to do to win Keep up the improvements in red zone efficiency. The Texans have struggled inside the 20-yard line this season ranking 29th in scoring at a rate of 46.3%. They did boost their number to 60% in their final three games showing promise for what will be a tough encounter with the Steelers. Pittsburgh are the seventh-best red zone defense giving up scores on 50.9% of trips by the opposition. You can bet your house that head coach Mike Tomlin will have his Steelers playing above that level on Monday night. The Texans need to be ready with a bag of tricks to overcome it.
What the Steelers need to do to win They need the hottest of starts to try to catch the mighty Texans defense on their heels. Win the toss, receive possession and throw everything to gain the scoreboard advantage with a view to never letting it go. The added bonus will be rallying one of the NFL’s loudest and enthusiastic home crowds around the team and Tomlin. Boos could be heard again when the Steelers were struggling against the Ravens but it just about worked out. Now that Tomlin has steered their rickety team to the playoffs he may have full support. If not then an early lead will help ease the tension.
Key player Will Anderson Jr, DE, Texans. Houston are a menace. It starts with a stifling secondary that paralyses the opposition quarterback. It finishes with a sack in the tumbling embrace of Anderson. Aaron Rodgers is in for a hellish night regardless of the outcome.
Prediction Texans over Steelers
