How do they decide the playoff schedule?

[Goondal]

Obviously West Coast teams will not host early afternoon games, but other than that, is there any set guideline to decide who plays when?  I am more concerned about what day we are likely to play as opposed to what time.

[RoaringRiot]

Really hoping it's not the Saturday night game.

[ctrcat]

It's about ratings/markets, the larger usually gravitating toward Sunday.  Also matters to our opponents.  Usually the Bengals get a Saturday game (if they win the wildcard round game).  Given that Philly, Chicago, Dallas, Green Bay, San Fran, New Orleans, Arizona are possible opponents, all bets are off and it's anyone's guess at this point.  Gun to my head I say Saturday because WE are a smaller market and I HOPE it's Saturday!  Why?  Because, IMO, Saturday teams get an extra day's rest before the NFCCG, and I will never forget playing that physical game against the Bears in Chicago in 2005 while the Seahawks were sitting pretty after their Saturday matinee against the Redskins after their bye week.  IMHO, that WAS a factor among others in the 2005 NFCCG.  I want the tables turned this year (as it was in 2003 with our games being Saturday).  Even 1996 Green Bay had the extra day to rest after our W against the Cowboys.  Give me SATURDAY!!!!!

[ncsfinest21]

To tell you the truth we are better off 2nd seed then first. Philly and Green bay the way i seems will be 3rd and 4th seed. 5th will be the 49ers and 6th saints. 1st seed plays the lowest seed out of the wild card. Meaning if Saints or 49ers win they will have to play Seattle. Leaving us at home against Philly or GB. If Aaron Rodgers doesnt come back we play matt flynn. Thats a W or a hot but can be beat Philly team. If Seattle loses we still get home field advantage for the NFC Championship.

[KendrickPanther]

Looking at our possible opponents, all of them are damn good. But shouldn't they be? It's the playoffs. Teams want to be in the playoffs because they want to make a name for themselves against the best. I'm not going to sit here and say "well if we can avoid that team". The point is to beat the good teams.

[RoaringRiot]

To tell you the truth we are better off 2nd seed then first. Philly and Green bay the way i seems will be 3rd and 4th seed. 5th will be the 49ers and 6th saints. 1st seed plays the lowest seed out of the wild card. Meaning if Saints or 49ers win they will have to play Seattle. Leaving us at home against Philly or GB. If Aaron Rodgers doesnt come back we play matt flynn. Thats a W or a hot but can be beat Philly team. If Seattle loses we still get home field advantage for the NFC Championship.

You're definitely not incorrect....however, we would then be relying on SF to take care of business to get the NFC Championship to BoA. That's a gamble.

[RoaringRiot]

Looking at our possible opponents, all of them are damn good. But shouldn't they be? It's the playoffs. Teams want to be in the playoffs because they want to make a name for themselves against the best. I'm not going to sit here and say "well if we can avoid that team". The point is to beat the good teams.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to be in the best possible situation for success.

[ncsfinest21]

True but I know personally that Id much rather play GB or Chicago or Philly if they won at home somehow then a vengeful Saints team or 49ers. Then have to play Seattle. Knowing we arent that well after a bye. Hopefully Rivera can have us not come out flat.