Special Edition: Shades are non-negotiable

This year marks the fifth season of the NFL’s expanded playoff format, meaning nearly half of the league’s 32 teams have a chance to make a Super Bowl run. The postseason opens with a Wild Card Weekend slate featuring a whopping six games today through Monday.

• Winners advance to next weekend’s Divisional Round, followed by the conference championships on January 26th. And it all culminates with the reason for the season: the Kendrick Lamar concert Super Bowl on February 9th.

The two-time defending champ Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions secured the No. 1 seeds in the AFC and NFC, respectively, earning them byes straight to next weekend’s Divisional Round.

• But there’s plenty of football to be played over the next three days, with 12 teams in action across Wild Card Weekend. Let the games begin.

⚡🤘 No. 5 LA Chargers vs. No. 4 Houston Texans — Today at 4:30 p.m. ET

• Houston, we have a problem — and it’s the offense. Despite hosting a postseason game for the second straight year, the 22nd-ranked Texans offense looks pedestrian heading into this matchup as quarterback (QB) C.J. Stroud struggles to return to his rookie season form.

• That means Houston’s success will depend on their stout defense slowing down a surging Chargers offense led by QB Justin Herbert, who’s only tossed three interceptions all season and will be dressing for revenge after an early postseason exit two years ago.

🟡🐦‍⬛ No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. No. 3 Baltimore Ravens — Tonight at 8 p.m. ET

• There’s nothing spicier than a postseason divisional matchup, and this AFC North tilt certainly fits the bill. From splitting a pair of feisty regular-season games to unthinkable allegiance shifting, there’ll be no love lost here. And you thought Taylor had bad blood.

• The aforementioned Jackson and Henry rightfully dominate headlines in Baltimore, but the defense is this team’s unsung hero in the second half of the season, limiting opponents to just 15.4 points a game — a worrying sign for the Steelers, who are limping into the playoffs on a four-game losing streak.

🐴🦬 No. 7 Denver Broncos vs. No. 2 Buffalo Bills — Tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET

• Rookie Broncos QB Bo Nix orchestrated a dominant Week 18 performance to send Denver to its first postseason since the squad’s Super Bowl–winning run in 2015. Plus, their defense — led by safety Pat Surtain II — is pretty darn good, ranking third in the league.

• But this isn’t Kansas Mile High anymore: It’s Orchard Park, where QB Josh Allen and the juggernaut Bills average 30.9 points per game and have committed just eight turnovers in 17 games, the fewest since 1933. Hide your tables — Buffalo should roll in this one.

🧀🦅 No. 7 Green Bay Packers vs. No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles — Tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. ET

• What started in Brazil will finish in South Philly: The NFC’s first Wild Card game is a Week 1 rematch of Philly’s 34–29 win over Green Bay in São Paulo, and it’s a game superstar Eagles RB Saquon Barkley will certainly be looking to replicate.

• Philly’s absolutely stacked, so if the Pack, who’ll be without top wide receiver (WR) Christian Watkins, want to steal a win, they’ll need to lean into their bread and butter: running the ball with RB Josh Jacobs and forcing turnovers — a killer combination for playoff success.

🫡🏴‍☠️No. 6 Washington Commanders vs. No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET

• Another season-opening rematch? Say less. The Commanders are hoping for a better outcome this time around after the Bucs spoiled QB Jayden Daniels’ pro debut back in September. The rookie has been spectacular since, showcasing his knack for making big plays in the biggest moments.

• Fun fact: Tampa’s last postseason tilt vs. Washington was in the 2020 season, the same year the Bucs won it all. And this year’s team is following that blueprint with QB Baker Mayfield at the helm, averaging 29.5 points per game, good enough for third-most in franchise history.

🛡️🐏 No. 5 Minnesota Vikings vs. No. 4 LA Rams — Monday at 8 p.m. ET

• The Vikings just missed out on the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, but at least fans can enjoy an extra game of celebration dances. And there’ll be plenty of partying because this team can flat out score — both the offense and defense are top-ten scoring units.

• But if anyone has the Vikes’ number, it’s the Rams and star WR Puka Nacua. LA was the only team other than the Lions to beat Minnesota this season, but this time they’ll have to do it away from home with the Wild Card weekend finale moved to Arizona due to the ongoing California wildfires.

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, WR: If there’s one thing the Vikes are definitely going to do, it’s throw Jefferson the ball — and for good reason. The superstar pass catcher has hauled in 103 receptions for 1,533 yards this season, none more acrobatic than this one. Simply magical.

Ladd McConkey, LA Chargers, WR: The rookie had big shoes to fill after former Rams WR Keenan Allen was traded to Chicago in the offseason — and McConkey has stepped up big time. He’s one of Bolts QB Herbert’s favorite targets, amassing the league’s tenth-most receiving yards in his first pro season. His future’s so bright shades are non-negotiable.

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, RB: Another kid who’s definitely alright? The Bucs’ fourth round pick, who completely transformed a Tampa rushing attack that was dead last in 2022 and 2023 to fourth-best this season. Irving’s also Tampa Bay’s first 1K-yard rusher since 2015. Casual.

James Cook, Buffalo Bills, RB: Much like wine and cheese, Cook has been the perfect pairing for the aforementioned Allen. He’s run in a league-leading 16 touchdowns, good enough to tie the Bills’ single-season franchise record. Little brother no more, expect a monster showing in his third playoff appearance.

Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers, Safety: Prefer defense? So does McKinney, aka your QB’s worst nightmare. McKinney’s been worth every penny since inking a four-year, $68M deal with the Pack in March, snatching eight interceptions this season — second-most in the league.