With the NFL regular season complete, the playoff order has been set. After sitting atop the AFC for much of the season, the Houston Texans dropped to the No. 3 seed on Sunday and will now host a game in the Wild Card round.
NFL playoff schedule: Texans host Bengals, Ravens to host Colts
The NFL playoffs are set, and Houston and Baltimore will open the Wild Card round at home.
Thomas B. Shea
The Texans will host the Cincinnati Bengals in what will be a rematch from the 2011 playoffs. Houston defeated Cincinnati 31-10 in the 2011 Wild Card round. The two teams did not play this season. Cincinnati clinched the No. 6 seed last week and finished with a 10-6 record. The Texans were 6-2 at home this season while Cincinnati finished 6-2 on the road. Saturday's game is scheduled to kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET.
The second Wild Card matchup will see the Indianapolis Colts traveling to Baltimore to face the Ravens. At 11-5, Indianapolis finished with a better record than the 10-6 Ravens but will go on the road to face the AFC North champions. The two teams enter the playoffs heading in opposite directions. Baltimore lost four of its last five games while Indianapolis won five of its last six. The Ravens were 6-2 at home this season while Indianapolis was 4-4 on the road. The two teams will play on Sunday with the game schedule to begin at 1 p.m. ET.
The winner between the Ravens and Colts will advance to play the Denver Broncos. Either the Bengals or Texans will advance to play the New England Patriots in the Divisional round.
AFC Playoff Schedule
Wild Card Round:
Saturday, Jan. 5 - Bengals at Texans, 4:30 p.m. (NBC)
Sunday, Jan. 6 - Colts at Ravens, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Divisional Round:
Saturday, Jan. 12 - lowest remaining seed at Broncos, 4:30 p.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Jan. 13 - highest remaining seed at Patriots, 4:30 p.m.
-----
Brad Wells of SB Nation takes a look at the field in the AFC following Week 17 action.
See More:
