Chiefs and Texans will kick off playoffs, as NFL sets schedule
Both of last year’s Super Bowl teams, the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, are back in the playoffs. Joining them are 10 teams all hoping to win Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, Calif. on Feb. 7.
The 2015-16 NFL playoffs will kick off on Saturday when the AFC South champion Houston Texans host the Kansas City Chiefs, the first of four games on wild-card weekend.
With the playoff field set the NFL has set the times for the first eight games (All times are Eastern):
WILD-CARD WEEKEND
No. 5 Kansas City Chiefs at No. 4 Houston Texans
Sat., 4:35 p.m., ABC/ESPN
The Chiefs have had one of the more unusual seasons in NFL history, going from 1-5 to 11-5 and in the playoffs. Since the AFL-NFL merger, only the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals made the playoffs after starting 1-5. Those Bengals started 1-6 and made the postseason. The Texans got into the playoffs despite starting four different quarterbacks this season, but will go into the playoff opener with Week 1 starter Brian Hoyer healthy.
No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals
Sat., 8:15 p.m., CBS
The last time the Steelers were in Cincinnati, they beat the Bengals and knocked Cincinnati starting quarterback Andy Dalton out with a broken thumb. That 33-20 Steelers win on Dec. 13 changed the playoff picture, as the Bengals ended up missing out on a top-two seed and a bye in the AFC behind new quarterback AJ McCarron. Dalton wants to return for Saturday’s game, but that might be a stretch. Meanwhile the Steelers have to feel fortunate after getting in the playoffs thanks to the Bills beating the Jets in Week 17.
No. 6 Seattle Seahawks at No. 3 Minnesota Vikings
Sun., 1:05 p.m., NBC
The Seahawks have won the NFC two straight years, and have been playing well lately after a slow start. One of the most impressive wins in their hot streak was a 38-7 win at the Vikings on Dec. 6. The Seahawks held Vikings running back Adrian Peterson to 18 yards and Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson threw for three touchdowns. But the Vikings come into the playoffs on a high note, after winning the NFC North by knocking off the Packers at Lambeau Field in Week 17.
No. 5 Green Bay Packers at No. 4 Washington Redskins
Sun., 4:40 p.m., Fox
Wild-card weekend ends with a matchup of the NFC East champions and the Packers, who have stumbled after a 6-0 start this season. The Redskins were just 9-7 this season but might be the hotter of these two teams, having won their final four games behind quarterback Kirk Cousins. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will try to rally his team after a tough home loss to the Vikings cost them a home playoff game in wild-card weekend.
DIVISIONAL ROUND
Highest remaining AFC seed at No. 2 New England Patriots
Sat., Jan. 16, 4:35 p.m., CBS
The Patriots blew a chance to get the No. 1 seed but still got a bye. That should help them heal up from a number of injuries.
Highest remaining NFC seed at No. 2 Arizona Cardinals
Sat., Jan. 16, 8:15 p.m., NBC
The Cardinals had one of the best seasons in franchise history, going 13-3 behind MVP candidate quarterback Carson Palmer. The Cardinals lost their finale to the Seahawks, but are still one of the top contenders to win the Super Bowl.
Lowest remaining NFC seed at No. 1 Carolina Panthers
Sun., Jan. 17, 1:05 p.m., Fox
The Panthers won their first 14 games, then became the sixth 15-1 team in NFL history with a Week 17 win to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Quarterback Cam Newton is the favorite to win the NFL MVP award.
Lowest remaining AFC seed at No. 1 Denver Broncos
Sun., Jan. 17, 4:40 p.m., CBS
The Broncos got a break when the Patriots lost in Week 17. The Broncos then took the No. 1 seed by coming back to beat the San Diego Chargers. The Broncos, however, are still not saying if Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler will start in the playoffs.
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND
Sun., Jan. 24
AFC championship, 3:05 p.m., CBS
NFC championship, 6:40 p.m., Fox
SUPER BOWL 50
Sun., Feb. 7
Levi’s Stadium at Santa Clara, Calif., 6:30 p.m.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
