How 2026 Wild Card Weekend broke historic NFL playoff record in four games

Key Highlights

• The NFL has already set a new record for fourth quarter lead changes in one postseason, despite so much of the playoffs still ahead. Here's a look at how these NFL playoffs have made history early on. MORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFFS:SN's expert predictions for NFL playoffs, Super Bowl 60Full NFL playoff scheduleUpdated NFL playoff bracketWild-card picks, predictionsMost 4th quarter lead changes in one postseasonThe NFL is highly entertaining more often than not, but these playoffs have taken entertainment to a new level. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 12 lead changes between the first four games set an all-time playoff record, even with nine games still remaining.
• That means the first four games averaged three lead changes in the fourth quarter, led by a record-tying four fourth-quarter lead changes in the playoff opener between the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers and Sunday's contest between the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars. Three of the first four games featured road teams winning despite trailing in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter, something that didn't happen in any of the previous six seasons.
• The only one that didn't was the Chicago Bears' win over the Green Bay Packers, which required an 18-point comeback. Here's a look at how many fourth-quarter lead changes each game included:Matchup4Q lead changesWinnerRams vs.
• Panthers4Rams, 34-31Packers vs.
• Bears1Bears, 31-27Bills vs.