NFL Wild Card Weekend Returns to FOX With High-Stakes Matchups
Jan 09, 2026 09:42AM ● By Alyssa Cantu
The road to Super Bowl LX officially begins next weekend as NFL Wild Card Weekend kicks off with an exciting slate of games Jan. 10-12, featuring matchups that could redefine the 2025-26 season. FOX’s promotional campaign highlights the drama of postseason football — where everything is on the line and every play matters.
With staggered kickoff windows designed to deliver continuous action, fans will get a full weekend of football from multiple prime time and afternoon windows, ensuring drama from start to finish. NFL Football Operations
Scheduled Wild Card Games & Kickoff Times
Saturday, Jan. 10
- Los Angeles Rams (5) at Carolina Panthers (4) — 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Sunday, Jan. 11
- San Francisco 49ers (6) at Philadelphia Eagles (3) — 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
These matchups represent the opening round of the NFL playoffs, where division winners face off against wild card teams in single-elimination games. From early afternoon windows to marquee prime-time slots, FOX and its broadcast partners have built a schedule designed to keep fans engaged across the weekend. NFL Football Operations
Wild Card Weekend has become synonymous with postseason intensity, often producing some of the most memorable moments in playoff history. Whether it’s a rivalry matchup like Packers vs. Bears, a battle for conference supremacy, or teams battling to extend their seasons, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
As teams prepare for these pivotal games, excitement is building among fans and analysts alike. The blend of seasoned veterans, breakout stars, and strategic coaching will be on full display as the league’s 14-team playoff field gets trimmed to just eight.
With playoff football officially underway, fans can expect dramatic swings, strategic brilliance, and unforgettable moments — all beginning with Wild Card Weekend’s full lineup of high-impact matchups.