Dec 29, 2025 – The Browns pull off a 13‑6 upset over the Steelers, forcing Pittsburgh into a must‑win Week 18 against the Ravens to keep its playoff hopes alive[2].

Dec 29, 2025 – Josh Allen’s late pass and fumble allow the Eagles to escape with a 13‑12 win, exposing Buffalo’s struggles in clutch moments and keeping the Bills as a wild‑card entrant[2].

Dec 29, 2025 – San Francisco defeats the Bears 42‑38 in a high‑scoring shootout, preserving the 49ers’ chance at the NFC top seed despite multiple injuries to key players[2].

Dec 29, 2025 – Drake Maye delivers a near‑perfect performance against the Jets, completing 19 of 21 passes and sparking MVP chatter while keeping the Patriots in the AFC top‑seed race[2].

Dec 29, 2025 – Trevor Lawrence cements his dual‑threat status with 25 passing touchdowns and nine rushing scores, propelling the Jaguars into serious playoff contention[2].

Jan 10, 2026 – Matthew Stafford fuels the Rams’ wild‑card push, leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns and entering MVP conversation as he prepares for the opening playoff game against the Panthers[4].

Jan 10, 2026 – The Bills gear up for a showdown with the hot‑streak Jaguars, with Josh Allen eyeing his first Super Bowl after seven playoff wins without a ring[4].

Jan 10, 2026 – Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who tops the league in completion percentage, become the focal point of New England’s “dynasty” ambitions heading into the postseason[4].

Jan 11, 2026 – The 49ers rally from a 16‑10 deficit to beat the Eagles 23‑19 on the road, using a trick play to a 29‑yard TD and a second McCaffrey score, while George Kittle exits with a torn Achilles[1][3].

Jan 11, 2026 – Buffalo completes a 27‑24 comeback over Jacksonville, with Allen’s 1‑yard TD run with 1:04 left sealing the wild‑card victory and advancing the Bills to the divisional round[1][3].

Jan 11, 2026 – New England defeats the Chargers 16‑3, highlighted by Maye’s 28‑yard TD to Hunter Henry and six sacks on Justin Herbert; coach Vrabel ends the game with a bloody lip after celebrating a pivotal sack[1][3].

Jan 11, 2026 – The wild‑card weekend produces a postseason record of 12 fourth‑quarter lead changes, underscoring the dramatic finishes that define this playoff cycle[1].

Jan 12, 2026 – The NFL announces divisional‑round matchups: 49ers at Seattle, Bills at Denver, Rams at Chicago, and Patriots hosting the winner of the Steelers‑Houston game, setting the stage for the next round of intrigue[1][3].

Jan 14, 2026 – The playoff weekend officially sets a new record with 12 fourth‑quarter lead changes, surpassing the previous high of 10 and highlighting the era’s unprecedented late‑game volatility[5].

Jan 14, 2026 – Stafford’s 19‑yard TD pass to Colby Parkinson ties the lead‑change record in the Rams’ game, exemplifying the clutch heroics that dominate the postseason narrative[5].

Jan 14, 2026 – The Bears become only the fourth team ever to win a playoff game after trailing by 15+ points in the fourth quarter, with Caleb Williams connecting to D.J. Moore for the go‑ahead score[5].

Jan 14, 2026 – Houston’s defense scores twice and allows no touchdown, a rare defensive showcase reminiscent of the 2002 postseason, and propels the Texans toward a historic defensive run[5].