Games of the Week
Rams 34, Panthers 31
The Rams were expected to run away with this game, and early on it looked like that’s exactly where things were headed. But by the end of the first half, Carolina had cut the deficit to three, and just 30 seconds into the fourth quarter, they had taken the lead.
After trading touchdowns in the fourth, the Rams went down the field and scored on a 19-yard touchdown with just 38 seconds left. There’s something to be said for how well the Panthers’ offense played, but the Rams will only face stiffer competition from here. If they’re serious about getting Stafford another Super Bowl in what could be his final season, the defense has to improve and the offense can’t keep leaving things until the last minute.
Bears 31, Packers 27
Entering the fourth quarter, the Packers were up 21-6. Even after the Bears hit a 51-yard field goal, this game felt wrapped up. Instead, Chicago did what it’s been doing all year and Green Bay completely collapsed.
The Bears scored 25 points in the fourth, while the Packers managed just one touchdown and missed the extra point. Brandon McManus also missed a makeable field goal, costing Green Bay four points that would’ve at least forced overtime. Some have Matt LaFleur on the hot seat, but if he remains in Green Bay, finding a new kicker this offseason should be at the top of the list.
Bills 27, Jaguars 24
Josh Allen did Josh Allen things, and the Bills slipped past the white-hot Jaguars with a last-minute fourth-quarter touchdown.
Points were hard to come by through three quarters, with Buffalo leading 13-10 entering the fourth. Then the game opened up, with each team scoring twice. Allen once again carried this team, while Trevor Lawrence played well until the final moments, when Tre’Davious White forced a tipped pass that led to an interception. The future is bright in Jacksonville under Liam Coen, but Allen continues to drag Buffalo to wins they probably shouldn’t be getting.
Top Performers
Jordan Love, Packers
It came in a losing effort, but Love was outstanding against Chicago. He threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns, doing everything possible to keep Green Bay alive, but the defense collapsed and the valiant effort ultimately came up short.
Woody Marks, Texans
One of only two 100-yard rushers in the Wild Card round, Marks powered Houston to an easy win over Pittsburgh with 112 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Christian Kirk, Texan
A name we haven’t heard much recently, the former Jaguar-turned-Texan racked up 144 receiving yards and a six-yard touchdown, reminding everyone how dangerous he can be in the right moments.
Seismic Shift in the AFC North
At the end of the regular season, Baltimore made the surprising decision to move on from John Harbaugh, ending an 18-year tenure that many expected to continue well into the future. Reports suggested Harbaugh had lost the locker room, and rumored friction with Lamar Jackson only fueled speculation.
Then things became even more chaotic. Following Pittsburgh’s Wild Card loss to Houston, Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach. Since 1969, the Steelers have had just three head coaches, Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Tomlin, and many assumed Tomlin would remain as long as the team was competitive.
Now, three of the four AFC North teams will have new head coaches in 2026. No matter how it plays out, it marks the end of a remarkable era for one of the league’s most stable divisions.
Betting Strategy Adjustments Going Forward
Don’t Underestimate the Broncos
Denver is viewed by many as a weak No. 1 seed, and some of that skepticism is fair. But their defense is legitimately among the league’s best. With even odds against Buffalo, there’s real value on both the moneyline and the spread.
Temper Expectations for Darnold and JSN
San Francisco’s defense is back to being a brick wall. While Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba have been one of the best QB-WR connections this season, this is not the matchup to overload on their props. Expect a defensive battle and bet accordingly.
Believe in the Bears
The Rams looked shaky against Carolina, while Chicago once again proved it knows how to close games in the fourth quarter. The Rams will be favored, which makes sense, but there’s real value on the Bears against the spread. Don’t be afraid to take it.
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