SATURDAY, JANUARY 10
Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers - The Rams were rolling hot for awhile this season, but they hit some speed bumps down the stretch and will be on the road to face a team with a losing record. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 4,707 yards along with 46 touchdowns and only eight interceptions and leads a potent offense that has top wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, who is returning from injury and led the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions. The Carolina Panthers backed into the NFC playoffs after losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Saturday, but got help from the Atlanta Falcons (winners against New Orleans the following day to close the regular season) and do feature a decent defense and they did beat the Rams (in Carolina) in late November, so there is that. The Rams should win this one, but in today's topsy turvy NFL, nothing is guaranteed.
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears - The NFL's oldest rivalry in the playoffs in what could be snowy conditions at Solider Field on Saturday night. The Bears and Packers go at it after splitting their two games in the regular season. Green Bay QB Jordan Love (concussion) was knocked out of the game three weeks ago and would love to stick it to the Bears. Chicago's defense has been shredded time and time again in 2025, but they led the league in takeaways, so that will be in the mix in this one. The Bears offense has been decent with second year QB Caleb Williams executing Head Coach Ben Johnson's offensive game plan and the Bears had many comeback victories this season. The Packers held off Chicago in Green Bay and two weeks later, the Bears
beat the Packers in overtime on a dramatic touchdown pass for the win. This time around, expect more of the same from these two teams in a game that may be decided in overtime yet again.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles - The 49ers and Eagles are two very similar teams as they can throw the ball around and have dynamic running backs, although San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey has been far better than Philly's RB Saquon Barkley this year. Both teams have solid defenses, but the Eagles rate the edge as the 49ers are without injured Pro Bowlers Fred Warner and Nick Bosa for their defense. Which ever team protects the football will win this game and this one could come down to the final possession and a late field goal to decide the outcome.
The Heftyinfo picks for the NFC Wild Card games . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold)
L.A. Rams over Carolina
Green Bay over Chicago
Philadelphia over San Francisco
Last Week's Record - 10-6
FINAL SEASON RECORD - 176-95-1
Lock of the Week Record -16-2
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