Cincinnati, AFC playoffs’ 3 seed, to host Baltimore Sunday at 8:15 p.m.
The Buffalo Bills clinched the No. 2 seed with a 35-23 win Sunday against the New England Patriots, meaning the AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals got the No. 3 seed – and a rematch at Paycor Stadium with the sixth-seeded Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round – by improving to 12-4 with their 27-16 win Sunday.
The NFL announced late Sunday that the Bengals and Ravens will meet Sunday (Jan. 15) at 8:15 p.m. Eastern in Cincinnati on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
A Bengals victory ensured a home playoff game – no coin toss required. The Bengals’ trolled the NFL’s updated playoff-scenario rules when Joe Mixon removed a coin from his glove and flipped it during a touchdown celebration against Baltimore.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday that Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson – who did not play in Baltimore’s game Sunday in Cincinnati – has a strong chance of playing in his team’s first playoff game. Backup Tyler Huntley also was inactive Sunday.
Jackson has missed his team’s past five games with a knee injury. He had 174 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception along with 58 rushing yards in Baltimore’s 19-17 win against the Bengals in October.
The Los Angeles Chargers are the AFC’s No. 5 seed. They will face fourth-seeded Jacksonville on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. on NBC.
The Patriots’ loss eliminated New England from playoff contention. The Miami Dolphins earned the No. 7 seed with a win against the New York Jets, also eliminating the Pittsburgh Steelers. Miami will meet Buffalo in the Wild Card Round on Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS.
The Chiefs earned the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
The NFC playoff schedule – also Jan. 14-16 – is as follows:
Saturday at 4:30 p.m. No. 7 Seattle at No. 2 San Francisco on Fox
Sunday at 4:30 p.m. No. 6 New York Giants at No. 3 Minnesota on Fox
Monday at 8:15 p.m. No. 5 Dallas at No. 4 Tampa Bay on ABC/ESPN
LOVE SPORTS? [ Subscribe now for unlimited access to Cincinnati.com ]
Read More: Cincinnati, AFC playoffs’ 3 seed, to host Baltimore Sunday at 8:15 p.m.