The NFL Wild Card 2026 weekend kicks off today with a slate of games that promises to reshape the NFL playoff bracket 2026. All eyes are on Soldier Field this evening as rookie sensation Caleb Williams makes his Caleb Williams playoff debut, leading the NFC North champion Chicago Bears against their arch-rivals, the Green Bay Packers. Before the renewed hostilities of the league's oldest rivalry take center stage, the day begins in Charlotte, where the Los Angeles Rams look to overpower a resilient Carolina Panthers squad. Check back here for NFL live scores today and continuous coverage of Wild Card Saturday schedule events.
Bears vs. Packers: A Historic Trilogy at Soldier Field
For only the third time in their century-long history, the Chicago Bears (11-6) and Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) will meet in the postseason. This primetime Bears vs Packers playoffs matchup carries unprecedented weight, serving as the rubber match for the 2025-26 season. The NFC North rivals split their regular-season meetings, with Green Bay taking the first game at Lambeau Field in Week 14 and Chicago responding with a thrilling 22-16 overtime victory at Soldier Field just two weeks later.
The narrative entering Saturday night is electric. The Bears, hosting their first playoff game since 2018, are riding the momentum of a division title fueled by a revitalized defense and the dynamic play of their young quarterback. Meanwhile, the Packers limp into the postseason as the No. 7 seed but received a massive boost this week: quarterback Jordan Love has been cleared to play after missing the season finale with a concussion. Love, who threw for over 4,000 yards this season despite offensive line struggles, will need to be sharp against a Bears secondary that led the league in interceptions.
Caleb Williams' Playoff Debut: The Moment of Truth
The spotlight burns brightest on Caleb Williams. The No. 1 overall pick has transformed the Bears' offense, displaying a "clutch gene" that has pundits drawing comparisons to elite playmakers. Williams finished the regular season with a flourish, orchestrating three fourth-quarter comebacks in the final month. His ability to extend plays and find targets like DJ Moore downfield will be crucial against a Packers pass rush missing key pieces like Micah Parsons, who remains on injured reserve.
"It's time to go win the game. There's nothing else that matters," Williams told reporters earlier this week. His poise will be tested by a Green Bay defense that, despite injuries, has historically haunted Chicago quarterbacks. However, Williams has already proven he can exorcise those demons, as evidenced by his game-winning 46-yard touchdown pass to Moore in their December meeting.
Rams vs. Panthers: High-Powered Offense Meets gritty Defense
In the early window (1:30 PM ET), the Wild Card Saturday schedule features an intriguing clash between the No. 5 seed Los Angeles Rams (12-5) and the No. 4 seed Carolina Panthers (8-9). The Panthers, winners of the NFC South, are hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2017. Despite entering the tournament with a losing record, Carolina has been galvanized by the steady progress of third-year quarterback Bryce Young and a defense that ranked 15th in points allowed.
Fans searching for the Rams vs Panthers score will likely see plenty of offense from the visitors. The Rams boast one of the league's most lethal attacks, headlined by receiver Puka Nacua, who shattered records again this season with 1,715 receiving yards. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, continuing his late-career renaissance, has the experience edge over Young. The Panthers' path to an upset relies on controlling the clock with their run game and forcing turnovers, a strategy they executed perfectly in their division-clinching win over the Falcons.
NFL Playoff Bracket 2026: The Road to the Super Bowl
Today's outcomes will set the table for the rest of the NFL playoff bracket 2026. A Bears victory would send them to face either the Philadelphia Eagles or the San Francisco 49ers, depending on Sunday's results. For the Packers, a win as the lowest seed would book them a trip to the No. 1 seed's home stadium next week. In the other bracket, the Rams look to validate their status as dark-horse Super Bowl contenders, while the Panthers aim to prove that their rebuild has arrived ahead of schedule.
Stay tuned to SportsVot for real-time analysis, injury updates, and the final Rams vs Panthers score as the 2026 postseason officially gets underway. The intensity is palpable, the stakes are do-or-die, and if history is any indication, NFL Wild Card 2026 will deliver moments we'll be talking about for decades.
