With the conclusion of the 2013 NFL regular season, the playoffs are set to begin. Eight teams will be in action during wild-card weekend.
Of the four contests scheduled for the first round of the 2014 playoffs, three are rematches from this season. In the AFC, the Chiefs and Colts will play each other just two weeks after Indianapolis left Kansas City with a 23-7 win. The Bengals will host the Chargers, and Cincinnati went on the road to beat San Diego on Dec. 1. The third rematch dates back to Week One when the 49ers beat the Packers.
The primetime matchup on Saturday is the only game that hasn’t been seen in 2013. The Eagles will host the Saints, even though Philadelphia won one less game at 10-6. New Orleans was in control of the NFC South for much of the season, but lost the division title to the Panthers, who finished the season by winning 11 of their final 12 games.
Carolina gets a bye was the No.2 seed in the conference. The Seahawks will also have a week off to prepare for their game, since they are the No.1 seed and will have home-field advantage throughout. If either of the road teams win, Seattle is guaranteed a rematch in their first playoff game.
The Broncos and Patriots have byes in the AFC. It’s the second straight year that both teams were the top two seeds. Denver lost its first playoff game to Baltimore, while New England fell to the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.
This year’s wild-card weekend looks a lot different than last year’s. Only the Bengals, Colts and Packers competed in the first round of last year’s postseason.
Below are the dates, start times and TV channels for each contest in the upcoming round of games.
Saturday, Jan. 4
No.5 Kansas City Chiefs at No.4 Indianapolis Colts, 4:35 p.m. ET, NBC
No.6 New Orleans Saints at No.3 Philadelphia Eagles, 8:10 p.m. ET, NBC
Sunday, Jan. 5
No.6 San Diego Chargers at No.3 Cincinnati Bengals, 1:05 p.m. ET, CBS
No.5 San Francisco 49ers at No.4 Green Bay Packers, 4:40 p.m. ET, FOX
NFL Playoff Schedule: Start Times, TV Schedule And News For Wild Card Weekend
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