NFL Wild Card Pick’em 2026: Contests, Picks, and More

The NFL playoffs are here, and the Wild Card Round is where chaos meets opportunity. Every game is win-or-go-home, every decision matters, and one sharp pick can separate contenders from the rest of the field. While many fans are searching for 2026 NFL Wild Card pick’em sheets, Splash Sports delivers a modern, skill-based way to play the postseason.

With automated scoring, mobile-friendly entries, and contests built for real football knowledge, Splash Sports turns the NFL pick’em Wild Card round into a true test of strategy — not just luck.

Top Wild Card NFL Pick’em Contests to Enter

Sloprules $10K NFL Playoff Pick’em ATS – A $10 entry contest featuring $10,008 in guaranteed contest prizes. Players make ATS selections for every game during Wild Card Weekend and beyond, earning one point per correct pick, with a “Best Pick” worth double points in the Wild Card and Divisional rounds. The top 100 finishers earn payouts, with $1,271.17 awarded to first place. Multi-entry is allowed (up to 33), making this a strong option for volume-based playoff strategies.

John Cerasani’s $5K NFL Playoff Pick’em ATS – A high-stakes playoff contest with a $100 entry and $5,040 in guaranteed prizes. Entrants pick all games against the spread each round, with double points available for a Best Pick during Wild Card Weekend and the Divisional Round. The top five finishers earn payouts, including $2,772 for first place. Limited field size and multi-entry (up to 3) make this contest ideal for confident, skill-driven players.

Splash $2.5K NFL Playoff Pick’em ATS – A $5 entry playoff Pick’em contest with $2,502 in guaranteed prizes. Players make ATS selections across the full playoff slate, including Wild Card Weekend, earning one point per correct pick and double points for a Best Pick in early rounds. The top 50 finishers get paid, making this a fun, accessible option for players looking to test their NFL playoff knowledge and skill throughout the postseason.

NFL Wild Card Pick’em Predictions & Strategy

Rams vs. Panthers (Saturday – NFC Wild Card)

• Safe Pick (Winner): Rams – Los Angeles’ playoff experience and offensive balance are a major edge.
• Against the Spread (ATS): Panthers +9.5 – Carolina’s defense and home field should keep this closer than expected.

Packers vs. Bears (Saturday Night – NFC Wild Card)

• Safe Pick (Winner): Bears – Chicago’s quarterback plays a big role after dropping their last 2 games.
• Against the Spread (ATS): Bears +1.5 – Soldier Field in January keeps this tight; a field-goal game either way.

Bills vs. Jaguars (Sunday – AFC Wild Card)

• Safe Pick (Winner): Bills – Josh Allen’s playoff experience gives Buffalo the edge.
• Against the Spread (ATS): Bills -1.5 – Buffalo hasn’t struggled when playing in Florida at all this year. They won’t have problems moving the ball on offense.

49ers vs. Eagles (Sunday – NFC Wild Card)

• Safe Pick (Winner): Eagles – Philadelphia’s trenches and home crowd are decisive.
• Against the Spread (ATS): 49ers +3.5 – San Francisco’s defense keeps this within one score.

Chargers vs. Patriots (Sunday Night – AFC Wild Card)

• Safe Pick (Winner): Patriots – New England’s playoff discipline and coaching advantage matter in January.
• Against the Spread (ATS): Patriots -3.5 – Expect a controlled, methodical win at home.

Texans vs. Steelers (Monday Night – AFC Wild Card)

• Safe Pick (Winner): Steelers – Pittsburgh’s defense and home-field advantage loom large in primetime.
• Against the Spread (ATS): Steelers +3.5 – Pittsburgh’s ideal game with it being a defensive matchup. 

This approach ensures your 2026 NFL playoff contest strategy is rooted in football fundamentals, not hype.

Skill-Based Gameplay Tips for Wild Card Weekend

• Avoid narrative traps. “Hot teams” don’t always win in the playoffs — disciplined teams do.
• Value coaching. Playoff experience at head coach and coordinator matters more than star power.
• Don’t over-stack favorites. The Wild Card Round often produces at least one upset — identify the most logical one.
• Confidence contests matter. Save your highest confidence points for teams with elite defenses and veteran quarterbacks.

These principles consistently outperform traditional NFL pick’em Wild Card round sheets, which don’t account for context or matchup nuance.

Why Pick’em Contests Beat Pick’em Sheets for the Wild Card Round

The Wild Card round is where old-school pick’em sheets fail most — and Splash Sports shines:

• Automated scoring eliminates late chaos
• Mobile access lets you react to lineup news
• Skill-based formats reward sharp reads on motivation
• Play against friends, not the house

It’s the smartest way to close out the NFL year.

Conclusion for NFL Wild Card Pick’em 2026

The NFL Wild Card Round is where true football knowledge shines. Tight games, elite defenses, and coaching chess matches reward players who understand more than just win-loss records. Whether you’re entering a Pick All, Confidence, or ATS contest, Splash Sports gives you the ultimate platform to test your NFL knowledge and skill during playoff football.

If you’re interested in our other contests, check out our NFL Wild Card Survivor picks and strategies.

👉 Ready to play? Check out the live NFL pick’em contests on Splash Sports and start building your winning sheet today.