what is our playoff schedule like?

[festy1986]

The first seed vs the second seed?

I just started a new job and I'm reluctant to request certain days off at this point but I don't want to miss any of the games.

Do we know what it looks like yet or is it determined by marquee match ups that obviously haven't been decided yet?

 

[denverpatsfan]

Saturday the 16th or Sunday the 17th are the possibilities. I would think they would play on Sunday since they played Saturday night last season? Someone correct me if i am wrong but I thought they rotate the Saturday night games so Denver would get it this season??

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Saturday the 16th or Sunday the 17th are the possibilities. I would think they would play on Sunday since they played Saturday night last season? Someone correct me if i am wrong but I thought they rotate the Saturday night games so Denver would get it this season??

They usually rotate the 1 and 2 seeds. So as the 1 seed they played Sat last year and probably Sunday this year. However if they are the 2 seed this year they would play on Sat since the 2 seed (Denver) played on Sun last year

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Really hope they play sunday

 

[Foxyboro]

There are 4 time slots for the divisional round

Saturday 4:30
Saturday 8:00
Sunday 1:00
Sunday 4:30

I know that every year they alternate conferences on who gets the 8:00 Saturday slot, as that is the prime time slot that CBS (AFC) and FOX (NFC) both want. Last year the FOX/NFC got the 8:00 Saturday game (Carolina@seattle).

So this year the AFC/CBS will get that game on Saturday 8:00. Therefore, that eliminates the possibility of the pats playing at 4:30 on Saturday (as they did last year) because they're not gonna put two AFC games on the same day and two NFC games on Sunday

In terms of the pats, if it's the bengals that get the other first round bye in the AFC, IMO it would be a virtual certainty that the pats would play on Saturday at 8:00, as I do not think the NFL/CBS would want the small market bengals in 8:00 Saturday prime time over the patriots


However, with it being more likely the Broncos get the other Bye, I think it's more up in the air, as they are more of a marquee team and are more likelier than cincy to get put on 8:00 Saturday primetime. However, I still think there's a good chance the pats get the 8:00 Saturday slot regardless, although I could be wrong


So with 3/4 byes determined, here are my schedule predictions:

If Broncos get the other AFC bye:

4:30 Saturday- @ cardinals (fox)
8:00 Saturday- @Patriots (CBS)
1:00 Sunday- @ panthers (fox)
4:30 Sunday- @ Broncos (CBS)


If the bengals get the other bye:

4:30 Saturday- @ panthers
8:00 Saturday- @ patriots
1:00 Sunday- @ bengals
4:30 Sunday- @ panthers


These are just predictions and if the Broncos get the other bye, I think it's 50/50 for the pats between Saturday and Sunday, but if the bengals get the other bye, almost certain pats get 8:00 saturday

 

[Foxyboro]

They usually rotate the 1 and 2 seeds. So as the 1 seed they played Sat last year and probably Sunday this year. However if they are the 2 seed this year they would play on Sat since the 2 seed (Denver) played on Sun last year

I don't think they rotate it by seed. They rotate it by conference for the 8:00 Saturday game. In 2011-2012, the #1 seed AFC team played at home (pats vs Denver). The next year in 2012-2013, the #1 seed AFC team was Denver and the played on Saturday (vs Baltimore)

 

[Patsrock]

If Denver gets the by its pretty locked in with
430-NFC
8pm-AFC

1pm-NFC
430-AFC

If Bengals
Saturday stays the same but Sunday could change to

1pm AFC
430 NFC

I am pretty sure CBS hope Denver gets the bye week. Because this is the year the NFC has the late Conference title game. And that would give CBS the two best Divisional TV rating spots.

 

[festy1986]

And the afc championship will be played at 3, no matter who's in it this year?

 

[SHOWTIME15]

And the afc championship will be played at 3, no matter who's in it this year?

Yes because AFC championship game was at 6:30 last season.

 

[HeadHunter]

I personally hope we play Saturday night so I can enjoy some beers without having to worry about the consequences on Monday.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I personally hope we play Saturday night so I can enjoy some beers without having to worry about the consequences on Monday.

I very much doubt it - we will likely play 1 Pm on Sunday. Denver will get the Sat slot.

 

[Patsrock]

Yes because AFC championship game was at 6:30 last season.

Yes when they went those times they have rotated each year.

Even years
CBS gets 8pm Div Game and 3pm Conference games and FOX gets 630 Conference game.

Odd years
FOX 8pm Div game and 3pm Conference games and CBS gets 630 conference game.

And since last year NBC gets a divisional game CBS and FOX will rotate each year who only gets one divisonal game.

Even years-FOX gets one game
Odd years-CBS gets one game.
Coincides with network who has 630 conference title game.

And if they do it like last year NBC will carry the 4pm Saturday Divisional game.

 

[Patsrock]

I very much doubt it - we will likely play 1 Pm on Sunday. Denver will get the Sat slot.

I think they go (Den Bye)

Sat
4-@AZ
8-@Den

Sun
1@Car
430@NE

Cincy bye
4-@AZ
8-@NE

Sun
1-@Cincy
430-@Car

 

[brdmaverick]

And the afc championship will be played at 3, no matter who's in it this year?

Yes, this gets rotated every year. Look no further than last year in which you'd find a scheduling oddity in the West Coast Seahawks playing at 3:30 and the East Coast Pats playing the 6:30 game.

 

[brdmaverick]

And the divisional time slots are locked in before the wild card games are even played, right?

 

[festy1986]

Based on today's results. What are our most likely time slots for our game?

 

[festy1986]

I'm assuming since manning is back that that game is the prime time one.

Guaranteed if it's against the steelers.

 

[patsrulenfl]

I'm assuming since manning is back that that game is the prime time one.

Guaranteed if it's against the steelers.

Why does everyone think the Steelers are gonna win at Cincy? Steelers lost to the Ravens and Ben was not very good today against the Browns. If not for the Jest collapse they wouldn't even be in the playoffs. I think Cincy wins and comes to NE and KC goes to Denver. KC has a much better shot of defeating Denver than Pitts.

 

[New England Pride]

Why does everyone think the Steelers are gonna win at Cincy? Steelers lost to the Ravens and Ben was not very good today against the Browns. If not for the Jest collapse they wouldn't even be in the playoffs. I think Cincy wins and comes to NE and KC goes to Denver. KC has a much better shot of defeating Denver than Pitts.

Interesting opinion. Why do you think Kc has a better shot? Because it's divisional is the only reason I can think of. I don't see how Kc has better matchups than Pitt.

 

[festy1986]

Why does everyone think the Steelers are gonna win at Cincy? Steelers lost to the Ravens and Ben was not very good today against the Browns. If not for the Jest collapse they wouldn't even be in the playoffs. I think Cincy wins and comes to NE and KC goes to Denver. KC has a much better shot of defeating Denver than Pitts.

I'm not guaranteeing or anything but I'll stick with the trend of Cincinnati not winning big time games.