Who Are the Patriots Playing in the Divisional Round?

(Getty)

(Getty)

UPDATE: The Patriots will host the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, January 16 at 4:35 p.m. ET. The game will be on CBS.


We know when the New England Patriots are playing in the divisional round of the 2016 NFL playoffs. We know where they’re playing. We just don’t know who they’ll be playing.

Yet.

Here’s everything you need to know about next week’s contest, along with opponent scenarios depending on how the AFC wild-card games play out:


Patriots Divisional Round Game

(Getty)

(Getty)

Date: Saturday, January 16

Time: 4:35 p.m. ET

Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA

TV: CBS

Live Stream: CBSSports.com


Patriots Divisional Round Opponent

Texans Win, Bengals Win

If the top seeds both win, that would set up a matchup between the Pats and No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals. A key factor in that one would be the health of Andy Dalton, who isn’t expected to start in the wild-card round but sounds as though he would be ready for a game next weekend.


Texans Win, Steelers Win

This sets up a rematch against the Houston Texans. The Pats easily disposed of Houston, 27-6, back in early December, but the Texans are playing very good football, especially on defense, and would be coming off a victory against a scorching-hot Chiefs squad.


Chiefs Win, Bengals Win

Like the first scenario, this would result in a Patriots vs. Bengals showdown. In other words, if the Bengals beat the Steelers on Saturday night, they will play the Patriots no matter the outcome of the first AFC game.


Chiefs Win, Steelers Win

In this scenario, the Patriots would host the Kansas City Chiefs. You may remember the last time these two teams met–the Chiefs destroyed the Patriots, 41-14, in September of 2014, and there were hot takes abound that Tom Brady was officially washed up. He then proceeded to go on a historic run, leading the Pats to the Super Bowl.

This also means the only wild-card team the Patriots couldn’t possibly play in the divisional round is the Pittsburgh Steelers.