The NFL playoffs start next week, but the New England Patriots earned the AFC’s No. 2 seed — and therefore much-needed rest — and won’t play until Saturday, Jan. 11, at 8:15 p.m.
Their opponent will be determined by the results of next weekend’s AFC wild-card round. The Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts will get things started at 4:35 p.m. Saturday, and the San Diego Chargers will visit the Cincinnati Bengals at 1:05 p.m. Sunday. The lowest-seeded team that wins will visit the Denver Broncos, while the other winner will come to Gillette Stadium to play the Patriots.
Here’s the full NFL playoff schedule.
AFC WILD-CARD ROUND
Saturday: No. 5 Kansas City Chiefs at No. 4 Indianapolis Colts, 4:35 p.m. (NBC)
Sunday: No. 6 San Diego Chargers at No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals, 1:05 p.m. (CBS)
NFC WILD-CARD ROUND
Saturday: No. 6 New Orleans Saints at No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles, 8:10 p.m. (NBC)
Sunday: No. 5 San Francisco 49ers at No. 4 Green Bay Packers, 4:40 p.m. (FOX)
AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND
Saturday, Jan. 11: TBA at No. 2 New England Patriots, 8:15 p.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Jan. 12: TBA at No. 1 Denver Broncos, 4:40 p.m. (CBS)
NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND
Saturday, Jan. 11: TBA at No. 1 Seattle Seahawks, 4:35 p.m. (FOX)
Sunday, Jan. 12: TBD at No. 2 Carolina Panthers, 1:05 p.m. (FOX)
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Sunday, Jan. 19: Time TBA
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Sunday, Jan. 19: Time TBA
SUPER BOWL XLVIII
Sunday, Feb. 2: 6:30 p.m. at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
