The real season began on Saturday as the NFL Playoffs with three games titled "Super Wild Card Weekend".
The trio of games was highlighted by the nightcap, as Tom Brady slung it down the field, going 22 of 40 for 381 yards with two touchdowns to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-5) to a 31-23 victory over the Washington Football Team (7-10) and advance to the NFC Divisional Round. They will face either the New Orleans Saints or Los Angeles Rams. The win was the Buccaneers was their first in the postseason since winning Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003.
The second game pitted the Rams (11-6), pulling off the upset to beat the NFC West division champion Seattle Seahawks (12-5) 30-20. John Wodford started the game in place of Jared Goff for the Rams but got loaded into an ambulance after a devastating hit by Jamal Adams. Goff, who had thumb surgery 12 days ago, came into duty, was inconsistent in relief. The former No. 1 draft pick went 9 for 19 for 155 yards and one touchdown. But it was the defense that carried the Rams. They held Russell Wilson in check for the majority of the game. Wilson's went 11 of 27 for 174 yards with two touchdowns, one interception. He was sacked five times, with All-Pro Aaron Donald notching two of them. The Rams will face either the Buccaneers or the Green Bay Packers.
In the opener, the Buffalo Bills (14-3) defeated the Indianapolis Colts (11-6) 27-24. Josh Allen continued his remarkable season, making one big throw after another, connecting on 26 of 35 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns, along with 54 yards on the ground and a touchdown. The victory was the first for the AFC East division champions since 1995.
Here is what happened on day one of the NFL Wild Card round.
NFL Wild Card round: Saturday's games
| Time (ET) | Game |
| 1:05 p.m. | Colts 24, Bills 27 |
| 4:40 p.m. | Rams 30, Seahawks 20 |
| 8:15 p.m. | Buccaneers 31, Washington 23 |