It was a wild super wild card weekend in the National Football League with last minute heroics and crushing moments for several teams. Fans witnessed dramatic finishes across every matchup as the postseason opened with unforgettable tension.

Rams at Panthers

The weekend opened with the Rams edging the Panthers in a tight contest. Matthew Stafford threw three touchdown passes and delivered the winning strike with under a minute left. The Rams held off a late Carolina push and advanced with a 34 to 31 victory.

Bears at Packers

Chicago stunned Green Bay with a furious fourth quarter rally. The Bears erased an eighteen point deficit and surged ahead with a dominant late run. Their comeback sealed a 31 to 27 win and sent shockwaves through the NFC field.

Bills at Jaguars

Buffalo and Jacksonville traded blows in a tense battle. Josh Allen powered the Bills with a late touchdown run that broke a tied game in the final minutes. A key interception ended the Jaguars hopes and secured a 27 to 24 Buffalo win.

49ers at Eagles

San Francisco leaned on steady play and timely defense to defeat Philadelphia. Brock Purdy guided the 49ers offense with efficient drives that kept pressure on the Eagles. The 49ers closed out a 23 to 19 win and advanced to face Seattle.

Chargers at Patriots

New England controlled the game from the start and shut down the Chargers offense. The Patriots defense forced mistakes and limited scoring chances throughout the night. Their steady approach produced a 16 to 3 victory and a spot in the next round.

What Comes Next

The divisional round now features several compelling matchups shaped by these dramatic finishes. Each advancing team carries momentum from a weekend filled with pressure and resolve. The next round promises more intensity as the road to the championship continues.

If you want, I can shape this into a sidebar package with quick link boxes for each game.

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter this wild card matchup riding the emotional high of last week’s AFC North clincher. Their win over the Baltimore Ravens came down to a final kick that sailed wide right, sealing a tense 26 to 24 victory. Aaron Rodgers guided the offense with calm precision, while the defense delivered key stops that kept Baltimore from closing the gap. Reports from national outlets and local Pittsburgh coverage describe a team that leaned on veteran leadership and defensive grit to secure the division title.

Rodgers vs Stroud

Aaron Rodgers now steps into a marquee quarterback duel with Houston’s CJ Stroud. Rodgers has provided stability and timely playmaking for Pittsburgh throughout the season, helping the Steelers overcome early inconsistency. Stroud enters the game after leading Houston to a strong finish, including a decisive win over Indianapolis in Week 18. His accuracy and poise have drawn praise across Houston media, and he remains central to the Texans offensive identity. Both quarterbacks bring contrasting styles, with Rodgers relying on experience and Stroud showcasing dynamic growth.

Defense Is Key To Victory

The defensive battle may define the night. Pittsburgh welcomes the return of JJ Watt, whose presence adds power and leadership to a unit already anchored by standout performers. The Steelers defense has thrived on pressure and timely turnovers, shaping many of their wins. Houston counters with a defense that has been among the league’s most efficient, holding opponents in check during their late season surge. Analysts across national and local outlets point to key defenders on both sides who could shift momentum with a single play.

The Winner Moves On

The winner of this matchup moves on to face a formidable opponent in the divisional round. Pittsburgh would carry the confidence of a division title and a home playoff win into the next stage. Houston would advance with the momentum of a strong finish and a road victory that reinforces their status as a rising contender. Coverage from league and local sources suggests that whichever team advances will face a challenging path, but both possess the talent and resilience to make a deep postseason run

Let ‘em Run Review of 1/10/26 and Preview of 1/17/26

Last Saturday at Gulfstream Park tested both patience and discipline. Cold conditions, scratch after scratch, and shrinking fields made an already tricky card even more challenging. There are no excuses, but context matters. The late scratches forced us to pivot on the Saturday Podcast, and while adjustments were discussed, we ultimately stayed too close to our original structure. That lack of flexibility showed in the results.

Here is a full breakdown of how the Late P5 unfolded, followed by a look ahead to what’s coming next week.

Gulfstream Park Recap

Race 7
What began as a small field turned into a five-horse puzzle after the scratch of one of our key selections, #5 Catch a Tiger. With pace dynamics altered, the race lost much of its original appeal. Our top pick, #3 Moon Landing, ran well enough but could only manage a second-place finish. In these compact fields, trip and position matter more than ever, and there simply wasn’t enough chaos to set things up.

Race 8
This race was a complete miss and a humbling reminder that statistics need context. The lone first-time starter, #3 Thunderously, fired immediately and never looked back. Trained by Bill Mott, who entered the race 0 for 39 with first-time starters going over a mile, the data suggested caution. The reality reminded us why elite trainers and riders demand respect. Bill Mott and Junior Alvarado are never truly cold, and ignoring them entirely is a risk, regardless of the numbers.

Race 9
This race unraveled before it ever began. Our top pick, #8 Vindicate Cha Cha, never broke cleanly and was eliminated at the start. To make matters worse, our second choice, #4 Greenfield Cougar, was scratched. When pace horses fail to engage early, turf sprints quickly become unwinnable scenarios.

Race 10
This race marked the debut of our new angle, the BRISnet Play of the Day. Unfortunately, our top selection, #6 Neoquous, was scratched, forcing a complete reshuffle of tickets built around a dominant Brisnet Prime Power edge of +7 points, a figure that historically correlates with a win rate north of 46 percent. That left #5 Lightning Tones as our remaining option, and the runner delivered. The $7.80 payoff wasn’t flashy, but it salvaged the day and validated the underlying angle.

Race 11
Our top pick, #7 Ashima, ran her race but could only finish third. The difference came down to a key jockey change. #10 Souper Zonda picked up Tyler Gaffalione, one of the hottest riders on the grounds, and that subtle shift proved decisive. These “pick up” mounts are often overlooked, but they remain one of the most reliable indicators of intent.

Looking Ahead to 1/17/26

This Friday at 3pm on the Happy Hour Show, the focus shifts to the Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds, a 20-point Kentucky Derby prep featuring a deep and competitive field of 11. These races only grow in importance as Derby season heats up, and this one offers both quality and opportunity.

On Saturday at 12:30pm, John Kostin and I will break down the Late P5 at Fair Grounds, once again featuring the BRISnet Play of the Day. Expect sharper tickets, clearer structure, and lessons applied from a tough Gulfstream card.

As always, tune in across multiple streaming platforms and social media channels. Bet smart, cheer hard, fast horses equal serious fun, and until next time… Let ‘em Run.