Patriots vs. Texans: Kickoff Time, How to Watch the AFC Divisional Round, and More

FOXBOROUGH, MA — After a week off, the Patriots return to action Saturday night for their first game of the 2016 NFL Playoffs. The team will host the AFC South Champions Houston Texans, who beat the Oakland Raiders to earn a trip to Foxborough.

Last time the two teams met it was in Week 3 when the Jacoby Brissett-led Patriots walked past the Texans in a 27-0 win on Thursday Night Football. Things remain less than optimistic for Houston, who enter the game as a 16-point underdog, according to online sportsbook Bovada.

The winner of this game will play the winner of Kansas City-Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship. If the Patriots are in that game, it will be played at Gillette Stadium.

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Here's what you need to know about Saturday night's game:

Kickoff

The game is scheduled to start at 8:15 p.m.

Broadcast Information

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be broadcast by CBS and can be seen locally on WBZ-TV Channel 4 in Boston. Jim Nantz will handle play-by-play duties with Phil Simms as the color analyst. Tracy Wolfson will work the sidelines. The game will be produced by Lance Barrow and directed by Mike Arnold.

NATIONAL RADIO: This week’s game will be broadcast to a national audience on Westwood One. Ian Eagle and Mike Mayock will call the game with Ross Tucker providing sideline analysis.

LOCAL RADIO: 98.5 FM, The Sports Hub, is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis. Produced by Marc Cappello.

Parking and Transportation

Parking lots at Gillette Stadium open at 4:15 p.m. Parking is $40 for cars and motorcycles and $150 for buses, RVs, and limos. The MBTA will be running trains from Boston and Providence. Both trains have sold out, according to the MBTA. Here's the full train schedule:

Boston Train

• South Station - 5:50 p.m.
• Back Bay - 5:55 p.m.
• Dedham Corp - 6:10 p.m.
• Gillette Stadium - 6:55 p.m.

Rhode Island Train

• TF Green Airport - 5:25 p.m.
• Providence - 5:55 p.m.
• South Attleboro - 6:05 p.m.
• Attleboro - 6:15 p.m.
• Mansfield - 6:25 p.m.
• Gillette Stadium - 6:55 p.m.

Both trains will leave Foxborough 30 minutes after the end of the game. Train tickets are $20 roundtrip.

Arrive Early

Stadium officials encourage fans to allow themselves plenty of time when traveling near the stadium. Traffic restrictions will be in place on local roads before and after the game. Fans must use I-95 or I-495 to access Route 1 and Gillette Stadium.

Clear Bag Policy and Prohibited Items

Only gallon sized clear freezer bags, clear bags measuring 12" x 12" x 6", women's wristlets or handheld wallets not to exceed 8" x 5" x 2" (approximately the size of a hand), and clear plastic bags carrying only purchases made at the Patriots ProShop are allowed in Gillette Stadium.

Please note that bags larger than the permitted size, including purses, shoulder bags, diaper bags and backpacks, will not be allowed inside Gillette Stadium on event days. Further, bags exceeding the permitted size will not be held or stored by the venue and must be returned to a vehicle before entering the stadium. For more information, see the stadium's clear bag policy.

Prohibited items at Gillette Stadium include, but are not limited to: selfie sticks, GoPro cameras, camera bags, umbrellas, coolers, fanny packs, outside food and beverage, balloons or beach balls, noisemakers, signs larger than 11 x 17 and any other items deemed dangerous and/or inappropriate by stadium management. For more information on prohibited items, see the Gillette Stadium prohibited items policy.

Series History

The Patriots and Texans will meet in the postseason for the second time. In 2012, the Patriots hosted the Texans in an AFC Divisional Game, a matchup the Patriots won, 41-28, on Jan. 13, 2013, at Gillette Stadium.

Overall, the Patriots have met Houston eight times and hold a 7-1 advantage since Houston entered the NFL in 2002. The Patriots are 4-0 overall against the Texans when playing at home.

New England’s only loss against Houston was in the final game of the 2009 regular season when Houston defeated the Patriots 34-27. The Patriots had already clinched the division prior to that game and Tom Brady was relieved for portions of that game by Brian Hoyer.

Before the Texans joined the league, the Patriots and the Houston Oilers were foes dating back to the days of the American Football League, playing twice a year from 1960-69 and 33 times overall before the Oilers moved to Tennessee following the 1996 season

Expert Picks

While it's probably more interesting to debate if the Patriots will cover the spread, here's who the experts think will win the game:

• ESPN.com: Experts pick Patriots 8-0
• FiveThirtyEight: Patriots have 85 percent chance of winning
• Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Patriots 23, Texans 13
• Kevin Clark, The Ringer: New England
• Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated: Patriots 31, Texans 7