NFL Brackets Set: Wild Card Schedule Revealed Amid Harbaugh Firing Shockwave
- Wild Card Weekend: The Full Slate
For the first time in years, the “Big Three” of Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson will all miss the playoffs. Instead, a new guard led by Drake Maye and Trevor Lawrence takes center stage. The action kicks off Saturday, Jan. 10, with a triple-header of high-stakes football.
Saturday, Jan. 10
- (5) L.A. Rams at (4) Carolina Panthers | 4:30 PM ET | FOX
- (7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Chicago Bears | 8:15 PM ET | Prime Video
Monday Night Playoffs ✨
HOUvsPIT– Monday 8pm ET on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/aXA2vLeAdX— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2026
Sunday, Jan. 11
- (6) Buffalo Bills at (3) Jacksonville Jaguars | 1:00 PM ET | CBS
- (6) San Francisco 49ers at (3) Philadelphia Eagles | 4:30 PM ET | FOX
- (7) L.A. Chargers at (2) New England Patriots | 8:15 PM ET | NBC
Monday, Jan. 12
- (5) Houston Texans at (4) Pittsburgh Steelers | 8:00 PM ET | ESPN/ABC
The Harbaugh Fallout and Black Monday Carnage
The firing of John Harbaugh dominates the headlines. Harbaugh leaves Baltimore with 180 regular-season wins and a Super Bowl title, but an 8-9 finish was the final straw for owner Steve Bisciotti. The Ravens now join six other teams—including the Browns, Raiders, and Falcons—searching for a new identity.
Reports suggest the relationship between Harbaugh and star quarterback Lamar Jackson had grown “cold” over the final month of the season. With Harbaugh’s $16 million salary now off the books, Baltimore becomes the most attractive job opening in a cycle that features seven vacancies.
What They Said
“This was an incredibly difficult decision, given the tremendous 18 years we have spent together. John is a Hall of Fame coach, but we believe a new voice is required to lead this roster back to the Super Bowl.” — Steve Bisciotti, Ravens Owner
“I was hoping for a different kind of message on my last day here, but that day has come. It comes with disappointment, but more with gratitude.” — John Harbaugh, Former Ravens Head Coach
Playoff Implications: The Favorites
The Denver Broncos (AFC) and Seattle Seahawks (NFC) sit comfortably on their byes, watching a field where no clear favorite has emerged. The Bills-Jaguars matchup stands out as the game of the week, pits Josh Allen’s arm against a Jaguars defense that enters the postseason on an eight-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the reigning champion Eagles must survive a physical 49ers squad just to reach the divisional round. The path to Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium starts now.
