NFL wild card winners, losers: Mike Tomlin’s Steelers at breaking level

The primary spherical of the NFL playoffs is within the books, and now simply eight groups stay in rivalry to succeed in Tremendous Bowl LX and play for the best to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. This opening spherical of the playoffs had a aptitude for the dramatic, as every recreation seemingly got here all the way down to the wire.

In all, there have been 12 fourth-quarter lead adjustments and 4 game-winning drives within the closing three minutes, every of which is essentially the most in a single postseason all time, not to mention only a single spherical. After a busy few days of playoff motion, we’ll get a reprieve till we begin all of it up once more subsequent weekend for the divisional spherical.

Because the mud settles on Wild Card Weekend, let’s soak up what we simply watched unfold. After all, there are precise winners and losers that we noticed play out on the sphere, however let’s dig a bit deeper. Under, we will spotlight particular gamers and coaches who got here out of the weekend with their shares both increased or decrease.

Sure, Bryce Younger’s season got here to a detailed on Saturday, however the Panthers quarterback performed effectively, albeit in defeat. He had Carolina firmly in vary of pulling off the upset over Los Angeles and traded blows with NFL MVP favourite Matthew Stafford throughout the fourth quarter. 

Younger was notably sharp throughout the Panthers’ fourth-quarter landing drive that gave them a 31-27 lead with a bit over two minutes to play in regulation. After a blocked punt, Younger zipped a 16-yard go to Tetairoa McMillan to get the Panthers into the crimson zone after which dropped in an ideal landing go to Jalen Coker.

There was a model of this recreation the place Carolina appeared like a JV group after limping into the playoffs at 8-9, and Younger being the prime catalyst for the shedding effort. That might have then triggered loads of questions on his long-term future with the group. After this efficiency, nevertheless, the Panthers ought to be ok with Younger’s trajectory heading into 2026.

Loser: Matt LaFleur

The Inexperienced Bay Packers endured one of many extra demoralizing playoff defeats in latest reminiscence, blowing an 18-point result in the Chicago Bears. Matt LaFleur’s group had no reply for Chicago down the stretch and was outscored 26-6 within the fourth quarter.

Whereas the Packers are reportedly nonetheless anticipated to work out a deal to maintain LaFleur as head coach as he enters a lame-duck season in 2026, his fame has taken a critical dent. The top coach is now 3-6 within the playoffs and on a three-game shedding streak, which coincides with being the No. 7 seed in every of the final three postseasons. Past simply the playoffs, LaFleur is 37-30-1 over the previous 4 seasons after beginning 39-10 in his first three seasons, so he is come again all the way down to earth a bit as effectively.

Given this development, it is honest to surprise if LaFleur damage himself on the negotiating desk as he appears to be like to safe extra years and {dollars} from the Packers.

The Bears had some of us scratching their heads after they took Loveland with the No. 10 total choose within the 2025 NFL Draft, forward of fellow tight finish Tyler Warren. Whereas each rookies loved robust seasons, Loveland has flashed his All-Professional ceiling down the stretch, together with throughout Chicago’s come-from-behind win over the Packers. 

The Michigan product completed with eight catches for 137 yards. Of these, 122 got here within the second half, and he had one of the prolific video games a decent finish has had in playoff historical past.

Loveland additionally turned the primary participant with no less than 125 receiving yards and a two-point conversion in a playoff recreation since Terrell Owens in 2022. He’s an rising celebrity on the place.

The Eagles‘ season has come to an finish, however earlier than it did, there was extra drama surrounding A.J. Brown. Throughout the group’s loss to San Francisco, Brown was seen having an altercation with head coach Nick Sirianni on the sideline after a dropped go within the first half, and the 2 sides wanted to be separated.

Then, as Philly tried to claw again out in entrance throughout what would show to be its closing possession, Brown had a brutal drop on third-and-5.

The Eagles transformed on the following fourth down, however that drop was a obvious instance of how Brown didn’t rise to the event. He completed the sport with simply three catches for 25 yards, regardless of seeing seven targets, which have been tied for the second-most on the group. Brown additionally declined to talk to reporters after the playoff loss.

Given all of the turmoil surrounding Brown and the Eagles this season, it is honest to surprise if he is performed his final down for the group.

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Jordan Dajani

Winner: Robert Saleh

Robert Saleh has solely improved his inventory this hiring cycle with the job he is achieved main the 49ers protection. Regardless of an array of accidents plaguing the group, notably on that aspect of the ball, Saleh had the unit buzzing towards the Eagles, holding the offense to only 19 factors, 4.3 yards per play and a 31.2% conversion price on third down. 

Saleh was already a sizzling head teaching candidate, however given how effectively the Niners have persevered, it is probably solely endeared him additional to potential organizations on the lookout for a brand new chief.

Justin Herbert is now 0-3 in his playoff profession, and the Chargers quarterback is not simply winless — the losses he is been a part of have been jarring. Beforehand, he blew a 27-point result in the Jaguars and threw 4 interceptions in a loss to the Texans. Now, we are able to add a dud in New England to the ledger.

Herbert led Los Angeles to only three factors throughout its wild-card loss to the Patriots. He missed some wide-open go catchers, and whereas the shortage of depth at offensive deal with has been a narrative all season, the safety up entrance held up admirably. Herbert nonetheless took six sacks as a result of he typically held the ball too lengthy.

He is not escaping the “cannot win the massive recreation” allegations anytime quickly. 

Chaisson has made himself fairly a bit of cash. The previous first-round choose has loved a late-career breakout with the Patriots after inking a one-year, $3 million cope with the group this previous offseason. Chaisson’s 7.5 sacks throughout the common season have been a profession excessive, and he added two extra throughout New England’s wild-card win over the Chargers. Chaisson completed with two sacks, three quarterback hits, and a compelled fumble.

Given how necessary go rushers are in in the present day’s NFL, groups will definitely be calling up Chaisson as soon as he hits the open market this spring. 

Loser: Mike Tomlin

The Pittsburgh Steelers discovered themselves in acquainted territory on Monday evening. They have been simply adequate to sneak into the playoffs however outclassed as soon as they bought there, bludgeoned in a 30–6 loss to the Houston Texans.

The defeat marked the Steelers’ fourth straight residence playoff loss, the primary time that has ever occurred in franchise historical past, and prolonged Mike Tomlin’s postseason shedding streak to seven video games — tying Marvin Lewis for the longest by a head coach in NFL historical past. Pittsburgh has now gone one-and-done within the playoffs three straight seasons and 5 instances over the previous six years. It hasn’t gained a postseason recreation because the 2017 season, when Ben Roethlisberger was nonetheless below heart.

That extended lack of playoff success has pushed the Steelers to a crossroads, and it would not be shocking if this loss proves to be the one which lastly breaks the camel’s again for the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach.