NFL Playoff Picks 2025: Wild Card Weekend

The 2025 NFL Playoffs are upon us, and unfortunately, the New Orleans Saints are once again not among this year’s playoff field. Even without the Saints in the playoffs this year, there are quite a few players to root for, and teams to root against. We certainly have some interesting matchups this weekend, so let’s take a look at each game as well as which teams will be moving on to the Divisional Round next weekend.

Last week I went 8-8

I told you so: Lions over Vikings!

What do I know: Falcons over Panthers?

AFC – #5 Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at #4 Houston Texans (10-7)
Saturday, January 11th – 3:30pm CST – CBS

Houston hosts their second-straight Wild Card game, but unlike last year, they come into this one struggling. Last year’s Texans won 3 of their last 4 before they smashed Cleveland in the Wild Card, but these Texans are coming into this showdown having lost 2 of their last 3, both of those losses against the AFC’s elite, but the losses were glaring. This is the chance for Houston to prove they belong in that elite, but the Chargers are attempting to prove the same.

The last time we saw the Chargers in the Wild Card, against the AFC South champs at that time as well, it ended with them blowing the game in historic fashion. Fortunately for LA, that was under a different coaching regime. Now, Justin Herbert and the Bolts can change the narrative with Jim Harbaugh at the helm in the playoffs. This will be a defensive affair, with the Chargers defense making the big stops necessary in the end to take this narrative-shifting win on the road. Los Angeles wins 23-20.

Pick: Chargers

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AFC – #6 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at #3 Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
Saturday, January 11th – 7:00pm CST – Prime Video

Two of the most bitter division rivals in the NFL meeting in the playoffs makes for must-see TV, but the fact this game will be on a subscription-based service may keep some from seeing another epic chapter in this rivalry. These teams split the season series, with Baltimore winning the most recent matchup at home three weeks ago. That one may have been decidedly in the home team’s favor, but this one will be the best of the three.

Defense again wins the day in this matchup as well, as this will certainly be one of the hardest-hitting games of Wild Card weekend. Ultimately, Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and the dynamic Ravens rushing attack will make the plays needed to bring the win home for the Ravens over their arch-rivals. Baltimore wins 24-20.

Pick: Ravens

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AFC – #7 Denver Broncos (10-7) at #2 Buffalo Bills (13-4)

Sunday, January 12th – 12:00pm CST – CBS

This should be a very close Wild Card playoff round across the board, with the exception of this game. Denver won’t come into this game in awe of, or afraid of Buffalo, but they will come in outclassed roster to roster, player to player. Sean Payton has done a lot with a little this season, and they certainly earned their playoff spot, but Buffalo is currently on another level.

Sean Payton’s rookie quarterback Bo Nix will struggle against an underrated Buffalo defensive unit. Josh Allen and the offense get all the credit, and deservedly so, but their defense will show Denver that they are up to the moment in this one. Buffalo’s balance on offense led by Josh Allen, will be the biggest factor to victory for the home team, who will be sending the crowd home happy, while sending themselves to the Divisional round once again. Buffalo wins 31-19.

Pick: Bills

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NFC – #7 Green Bay Packers (11-6) at #2 Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
Sunday, January 12th – 3:30pm CST – FOX

This is a rematch of their thrilling season opener in Brazil, and much like that game, this will be a close matchup. Unlike last year’s massacre of Dallas in the Wild Card round, Green Bay will face much stiffer competition in Philly. The Pack haven’t been their hottest over the past few weeks, but they have the talent and coaching to turn it on when they need to, but ultimately Philly may be on another level here.

It will be the dominant Philly defense making the crucial stops against Jordan Love down the stretch coupled with Saquon Barkley controlling the game on the ground that make all the difference in the end. Like it or not, the Eagles start their run to the NFC title here. Philadelphia wins 28-25.

Pick: Eagles

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NFC – #6 Washington Commanders(12-5) at #3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers(10-7)
Sunday, January 12th – 7:00pm CST – NBC

This also is another rematch of the opening week of this season, one that saw Tampa beat this new-look Commanders team at home. It may have been a loss to open the season for Washington, but it turned out to be the beginning of better times for the franchise. Washington is definitely one of the best stories in the NFL this past season, a downtrodden franchise who had been all but forgotten for a long time, in search for a light in the dark. That light came in the form of rookie standout quarterback Jayden Daniels and a new coaching regime to support him.

Tampa Bay has been on an absolute tear since their bye week, going 6-1 over that stretch, including a 40-17 drubbing of fellow Wild Card contenders, the Chargers. Tampa may not be the most feared or most respected team in the NFC’s Wild Card field, but they are certainly one of the most dangerous. Jayden Daniels will show the flashes of his shining star in his playoff debut, but it will be Baker Mayfield who shines the brightest, as Tampa’s passing attack outlasts their counterparts from Washington. Tampa Bay wins 30-24.

Pick: Buccaneers

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NFC – #5 Minnesota Vikings (14-3) at #4 Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
Monday, January 13th – 7:00pm CST – ESPN

Last Sunday Night, with everything on the line for the Vikings, Minnesota failed spectacularly, in a loss that may well send reverberations through the team. Minnesota will have a lot to prove in this one, led by Justin Jefferson, who will put the Vikings on his back while severely testing the Rams defense. The Vikings may have lost their chance at the easier path in the NFC, but sometimes the tougher path makes for tougher teams.

The Rams won a remarkably turbulent NFC West this season, qualifying for the playoffs for the fourth time over the past five seasons. Much like Tampa, the Rams may not be the most feared team in the NFC playoff field, but they too are one of the most dangerous. The Rams are rolling into the playoffs, going 5-1 to end the season, and they have the coaching and determination to keep that roll going. This one will come down to a game-winning field goal by the home team. Los Angeles wins 24-23.

Pick: Rams

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Let’s see what the Wild Card round has in store. Here’s to an entertaining playoff weekend. Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below!