Rams begin Lombardi pursuit with road rematch in Carolina
The 2025-2026 playoffs are set. The Los Angeles Rams (#5 seed) will travel back to Charlotte, North Carolina for a rematch with the NFC South division champion, Carolina Panthers (#4 seed). The Rams and Panthers will kickoff wild card week with 2 games on Saturday, 3 games on Sunday, and 1 game on Monday. There has been a lot of fluidity in the NFL standings in 2025, leaving analysts and oddsmakers uncertain as to who could be Super Bowl LX champs. Which team will seize the moment? We’ll start with wild card weekend. Here are my outright picks.
Week 18 picks: 8-8, Cumulative picks: 169-101-1 (.625)
Wild Card Round Matchups & Predictions
(Saturday) Los Angeles Rams @ Carolina Panthers, 4:30 PM EST
Analysis: Rams fans don’t have to wait long during wild card weekend to find out if they make it to the divisional round. Los Angeles will travel to Carolina for a Week 13 rematch. Carolina prevailed in a 31-28 upset, forcing Matthew Stafford turnovers. Yet, despite the uncharacteristic performance by Stafford, the Rams were still in a position to win the game. Carolina was without JC Horn and Trevon Moehrig in Week 13. So Stafford will face an even stingier defense. Something to watch is the forecast as it is expected to rain (again) in Charlotte on Saturday. The Rams did have plenty of success running the ball with Corum and Williams, so McVay should be expected to lean into the running game with poor weather conditions.
X-Factor: Matthew Stafford (MVP)
Pick: Rams win 26-17
(Saturday) Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears, 8:00 PM EST
Analysis: These two rivals split their head-to-head matchups in the regular season. With the home team winning each game. The Packers have not won since Week 14 and are without their superstar edge rusher, Micah Parsons on defense. I think Chicago (players, fans) will be fired up for this playoff game and they move onto the divisional round.
X-Factor: Jordan Love
Pick: Bears win 20-17
Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00 PM EST
Analysis: Probably one of the best games on tap for wild card weekend. This game appears primed for a shootout between Josh Allen and Trevor Lawrence. It’s a shame that it will be at 1:00pm and not on primetime. I’ll even go ahead and say that the winner will be the AFC representative for Super Bowl LX. Even though Josh Allen has a clear advantage, having been on the playoff stage more, this could be Trevor Lawrence’s opportunity to breakout in the NFL as the former #1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
X-Factor: Dion Dawkins/Spencer Brown vs. Travon Walker/Josh Hines-Allen
Pick: Jaguars win 36-30
San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 PM EST
Analysis: No love lost between these two teams. The last time they met (December 2023), the 49ers smacked the Eagles 42-19 at Lincoln Financial Field. Even though the 49ers were held to 3 points against the Seahawks, they were without Trent Williams and Ricky Pearsall. Getting their veteran offensive lineman would be a huge upgrade to protecting Purdy and opening running lanes for McCaffrey.
X-Factor: Christian McCaffrey vs. Vic Fangio
Pick: 49ers win 23-20
Los Angeles Chargers @ New England Patriots, 8:00 PM EST
Analysis: The Patriots don’t generate a lot of pass rush so this will be helpful to the Chargers who are without their offensive tackles. However, the Patriots should run the ball enough on offense to keep pressure off of Drake Maye and let him make plays when he needs to.
X-Factor: Tre’Veyon Henderson
Pick: Patriots win 26-18
(Monday) Houston Texans @ Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:15 PM EST
Analysis: The hottest team coming into the playoffs is the Texans, having won 9 straight. Demeco Ryan’s defense is the No. 2 scoring defense in the league (17.4 ppg) and No. 2 in yards allowed/game (279.1).
Aaron Rodgers may be glad to have returned to the playoffs but I’m not sure he will enjoy running for his life against Will Anderson and the Houston pass rush.
X-Factor: Texans win 23-7
Pick: Will Anderson Jr
Category: General Sports
