What a start to Wild Card Weekend!
Now, it’s the Eagles’ time to shine.
The Carolina Panthers nearly upset the Los Angeles Rams, but quarterback Matthew Stafford’s 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds remaining proved to be the difference as Los Angeles advanced to the Divisional Round with a 34-31 victory.
The Panthers overcame a 14-0 first-half deficit and took the lead not once, but twice in the fourth quarter. However, Carolina was not able to finish the deal and Los Angeles advances to the Divisional Round for the second year in a row.
Did the Rams’ win set up a Divisional Round rematch with the Eagles in Philadelphia after last season’s epic snow game?
Unfortunately, no.
The Eagles host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at 4:30 PM (FOX/SportsRadio 94WIP), so Philadelphia still has to handle its business, but the Chicago Bears held serve against the Green Bay Packers in dramatic fashion, clinching a home game in the Divisional Round.
Taking on their hated rivals in the Green Bay Packers, the Bears trailed 21-3 at halftime in the first playoff game of the Ben Johnson/Caleb Williams era. The Chicago faithful were rewarded for their patience as the Bears chipped away and took their first lead of the game since the first quarter on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Williams to D.J. Moore to make it 31-27 with just 1:43 remaining.
The Packers had one last chance, as Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love marched the offense to the Bears’ 23-yard line. However, Love’s last-gasp attempt as time expired fell incomplete in the end zone, sending Chicagoans into a frenzy. It was the biggest comeback win in Bears’ playoff history.
If the Eagles win on Sunday, they will travel to Chicago to take on the Bears next weekend in the Divisional Round, while the Rams will face their NFC West nemesis in the Seattle Seahawks. If the 49ers win on Sunday, the Rams will head to Chicago and San Francisco gets a Week 18 rematch against the No. 1-seeded Seahawks.
Final NFC East Standings
1. Philadelphia Eagles – 11-6
2. Dallas Cowboys – 7-9-1
3. Washington Commanders – 5-12
4. New York Giants – 4-13
Final NFC Standings
1. Seattle Seahawks – 14-3, Clinched the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed
2. Chicago Bears – 11-6, Clinched NFC North title
3. Philadelphia Eagles – 11-6, Clinched NFC East title
4. Carolina Panthers – 8-9, Clinched NFC South title
5. Los Angeles Rams – 12-5, First NFC Wild Card
6. San Francisco 49ers – 12-5, Second NFC Wild Card
7. Green Bay Packers – 9-7-1, Third NFC Wild Card
NFC Wild Card Weekend
1. Seattle Seahawks have the first-round bye and home-field advantage
Chicago Bears 31, Green Bay Packers 27
San Francisco 49ers 23, Philadelphia Eagles 19
Los Angeles Rams 34, Carolina Panthers 31
Final AFC Standings
1. Denver Broncos – 14-3, Clinched AFC West title and the No. 1 seed
2. New England Patriots – 14-3, Clinched AFC East title
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – 13-4, Clinched AFC South title
4. Pittsburgh Steelers – 10-7, Clinched AFC North title
5. Houston Texans – 12-5, First AFC Wild Card
6. Buffalo Bills – 11-6, Second AFC Wild Card
7. Los Angeles Chargers – 11-6, Third AFC Wild Card
AFC Wild Card Weekend
1. Denver Broncos have the first-round bye and home-field advantage
7. Los Angeles Chargers at 2. New England Patriots (Sunday, January 11 at 8 PM on NBC)
Buffalo Bills 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 24
5. Houston Texans at 4. Pittsburgh Steelers (Monday, January 12 at 8 PM on ESPN/ABC)