32 things we learned from NFL playoffs' wild-card round: A truly wild opening
- - 32 things we learned from NFL playoffs' wild-card round: A truly wild opening
Nate Davis, USA TODAYJanuary 13, 2026 at 7:32 PM
1
The 32 things we learned from the wild-card round of the 2025 NFL playoffs:
0. The number of times the Houston Texans have reached a conference championship game – the only team in the NFL never to do so.
1. The number of road playoff wins the Texans have in their 24-season history, the first coming in Monday night’s 30-6 rout of the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Houston can continue a string of firsts by winning its first divisional round matchup at New England this weekend … which would vault the Texans to that maiden appearance in the AFC title round.
2. The number of teams remaining in the playoffs which have never won the Super Bowl: the Texans and Buffalo Bills.
3. The number of teams that have never won the Super Bowl ... which remained on brand by losing in the wild-card round: the Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers.
4. The number of quarterbacks in NFL history who have won a playoff game in each of their first three seasons, Houston’s C.J. Stroud joining Otto Graham, Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson on Monday.
CJ Stroud keeps making history... pic.twitter.com/QPNhYD64xH
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 13, 2026
5. The number of consecutive playoff appearances the Philadelphia Eagles have made under coach Nick Sirianni – and also the number of home postseason games they’d won under him … prior to Sunday’s ouster by the San Francisco 49ers.
6. The number of consecutives seasons in which Bills QB Josh Allen has won a playoff game. Only Tom Brady (8) and Patrick Mahomes (7) have longer streaks, though both have also won multiple Super Bowls – still an open item on Allen’s to-do list.
7. The number of new division winners (Patriots, Steelers, Jaguars, Broncos, Bears, Panthers, Seahawks) this season compared to 2024 – tied for the most in a season since the NFL realigned into eight divisions in 2002.
8. The Eagles, the only repeat division winner – and first to do so in the NFC East in 21 years – failed to become the 10th team to repeat as a Super Bowl winner.
9. The number of years since the Steelers’ most recent playoff win. Pittsburgh has now lost seven consecutive postseason games and trailed by at least 21 points in all of them. No team had lost five consecutive playoff games by double-digit margins … until now.
10. The number of consecutive wins the scalding Texans have won heading into the divisional round. Let’s hope Houston WR Nico Collins, who was evaluated for a concussion Monday night, will be available Sunday.
Texans defense against the Steelers:♦️ 4 sacks♦️ 17 QB pressures♦️ 12 QB hits♦️ 2 FF♦️ Fumble Return TD♦️ INT Return TD pic.twitter.com/5YGhs6ubkX
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) January 13, 2026
11. Please, NFL, can we allow alternate uniforms in the playoffs? Obviously the Panthers, who were 3-2 this season in their black helmets, and Jaguars (4-0 in their “Prowler” throwbacks) needed just that extra bit of extra self-confidence − which can come with a good fit − and otherwise likely would have won what turned out to be wild-card heartbreaker on their home fields. The Eagles didn’t lose a non-divisional game all year in their sweet Kelly Greens. (OK, so they didn’t use them in any non-divisional games in 2025, either.) And how aesthetically pleasing would Sunday night’s slog have at least looked had the Patriots and Chargers both gone the throwback route? Just sayin’.
their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZeGhPQgsXq6Ng1blD2CNGQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7c3f337bbc44f0dd99f902e2d29228c9 class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
">Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZeGhPQgsXq6Ng1blD2CNGQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7c3f337bbc44f0dd99f902e2d29228c9 class=caas-img>
Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TT2oM2YXMJa1o5DH2w6Ufg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/677f39c594a84d31620582c122cca70a class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.
">Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TT2oM2YXMJa1o5DH2w6Ufg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/677f39c594a84d31620582c122cca70a class=caas-img>
"Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aS2oirAk5mt9j6wPx42IJw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3a30b18fa97e5116121c6b97691eb4d3 class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
">Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aS2oirAk5mt9j6wPx42IJw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3a30b18fa97e5116121c6b97691eb4d3 class=caas-img>a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/GeSzEbaRz.fpqDCpehKfuw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ea9c55e0ff8d3c0cef4124211fe79ed8 class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
">Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/GeSzEbaRz.fpqDCpehKfuw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ea9c55e0ff8d3c0cef4124211fe79ed8 class=caas-img>the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BgOsyh6FU1hUZ9JUWzDPtA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7d4c1e0279b1ffac6eb7e0dddfae709 class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
">Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BgOsyh6FU1hUZ9JUWzDPtA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7d4c1e0279b1ffac6eb7e0dddfae709 class=caas-img>
Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/56la2TSls8UGPl1fnusZ_g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f8b85f04ffcb38123704a83197911f65 class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.
">Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/56la2TSls8UGPl1fnusZ_g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f8b85f04ffcb38123704a83197911f65 class=caas-img>Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bpStb24k6.UoY2gUP0YIEA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ad3fed8890f4fb81879fd0e858d43b85 class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.
">Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bpStb24k6.UoY2gUP0YIEA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ad3fed8890f4fb81879fd0e858d43b85 class=caas-img>
Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/iVS54rP.I_InQtCpOctWCA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/39b932830e47d58b5bf101ed5364299e class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.
">Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/iVS54rP.I_InQtCpOctWCA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/39b932830e47d58b5bf101ed5364299e class=caas-img>
1 / 25Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL seasonWeek 6: Washington Commanders wide receiver Chris Moore (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Chicago Bears at Northwest Stadium. The Commanders wore their all-black alternate uniforms for the game.
12. The number of starting quarterbacks in these playoffs who were first-round draft picks. Four of them (Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, the Rams’ Matthew Stafford, Chicago’s Caleb Wiliams and Carolina’s Bryce Young) were No. 1 overall selections, the fourth such quartet to compete in one postseason.
13. The jersey number of 49ers QB Brock Purdy, the only non-Round 1 QB1 to survive wild-card weekend – the 2022 draft’s “Mr. Irrelevant” getting the best of Super Bowl 59 MVP (and 2020 second-rounder) Jalen Hurts.
14. The jersey number of Seahawks QB Sam Darnold, who is charged with leading top-seeded Seattle past surging San Francisco in next week’s divisional round.
14a. Also, the number of regular-season wins on Darnold’s record each of the past two seasons – though he’s still trying to capture his first postseason win as a starter.
15. The jersey number of 49ers WR Jauan Jennings, who threw the best pass of wild-card weekend.
JAUAN JENNINGS TD PASS TO CMCSFvsPHI on FOX/FOX OneStream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/18VxTpTKgj
— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
Jauan Jennings is the first player in NFL history with a perfect 158.3 passer rating in multiple playoff games for the same team 📈@49ers | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/KTUue3Q9kD
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) January 12, 2026
16. This season marks the fourth time the Seahawks have been a No. 1 seed – and they’ve advanced to the Super Bowl in the other three instances.
17. Purdy is 4-0 at Seattle’s Lumen Field. Something’s gotta give Saturday.
18. As in 2018, which was the last season when New England won a playoff game – those Patriots prevailing in Super Bowl 53, Tom Brady’s final championship run with the organization.
19. The number of years since the Bears last won multiple games in the same postseason … which also happens to be the last time they reached the Super Bowl.
20. As in Super Bowl 20, the one the ’85 Bears won 46-10 against the Patriots. Wouldn’t it be something if Chicago and New England met on the Super Sunday stage again – on the 40-year anniversary of the coronation of those legendary Bears?
21. Sticking with the ’85 Bears theme, the last time Chicago faced the Rams in the playoffs … was the ’85 season. The Bears won that NFC championship game 24-0.
22. Is presumptive 2025 league MVP Matthew Stafford already the best quarterback in Rams history? It’s debatable, but his playoff numbers – and wins – have allowed him to mount a challenge to two-time league MVP and Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. Stafford and Warner are the only Rams QBs to win the Super Bowl.
Today was Matthew Stafford's fourth straight road playoff game with 300+ passing yards. That broke a tie with Tom Brady and Drew Brees for the most consecutive such games in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/tIoB93wzeb
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) January 11, 2026
More history for 9⃣ pic.twitter.com/PF7fVPoZMk
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 10, 2026
23. The number of consecutive home games the Steelers had won on “Monday Night Football” – a streak dating to 1992 – before getting whooped by Houston.
24. The 49ers’ 40 playoff wins are the most in NFL history.
25. The Patriots have 38 postseason victories, second most only to San Francisco.
26. Josh Allen > Josh Hines-Allen.
27. The Bills’ win at Jacksonville was their first postseason victory on the road since the 1992 playoffs – which is also the only instance in which Buffalo has won multiple road games in the same postseason.
28. The Bills play next at Denver – a year after whipping the Broncos 31-7 at Orchard Park in the wild-card round.
29. Chargers QB Justin Herbert has as many career playoff TD passes (2) as … Jennings, who also fired one off on a similar trick play in Super Bowl 58.
30. Aaron Rodgers has 45 career postseason TD passes … but the only one he threw Monday night was to the Texans – the pick-six potentially the final throw of his illustrious career.
"Is that the last pass of Aaron Rodgers career?"—Peyton Manning after Calen Bullock's pick-six 👀 @OmahaProd pic.twitter.com/m1SLJG7Ofn
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 13, 2026
31. In sum, what a remarkable round of wild-card games we were treated to … even if the last two didn’t stack up to the first four. Here’s hoping the divisional round – the best weekend of NFL football in the eyes of many fans – measures up.
This is the first time in NFL history there were 4 games decided by 4 points or fewer in a single postseason round.Rams beat Panthers by 3Bears beat Packers by 4Bills beat Jaguars by 349ers beat Eagles by 4
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) January 12, 2026
32. But let’s end with a shoutout to 49ers TE George Kittle, who tore his Achilles on Sunday at Philly. Gutting for Kittle, gutting for his teammates, gutting for NFL fans who recognize him as one of the league’s premier players – but also as a better guy off the field. Get well, GK, and take solace that your adoring teammates are carrying on in your name.
View this post on Instagram
Source: “AOL Sports”
