New England Patriots Postseason: Date, Time for Divisional Round Game

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The New England Patriots can rest easy knowing that they'll get to sit out Wild Card Weekend. They'll be back for the divisional round - and in the prime time slot, to boot.

The NFL announced late Sunday night that the Patriots' first game of the playoffs will take place at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 8:15 p.m. New England will host the Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders, or Miami Dolphins.

As the top seed, the Patriots will play the lowest seed to advance out of the wild card round. On the AFC side of the bracket, Wild Card Weekend starts on Jan. 7 when the fifth-seeded Oakland Raiders travel to the fourth-seeded Houston Texans. The next day, the third-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers host the the six-seeded Miami Dolphins.

The highest remaining seed will play the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Patriots go into the playoffs with a league-best record of 14-2.

>>>For a complete look at the NFL playoffs, click here.