NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: TV Info, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

Zachary D. RymerJan 1, 2012

As quickly as it came, the 2011 NFL regular season is gone now. At long last, we have reached the postseason.

The league entered Week 17 with several playoff spots up for grabs and more than a few seeds left to be determined, but things got clearer and clearer as the day went along.

At halftime of the NFC East-deciding game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, the schedule for the 2012 postseason was announced. Let's take a closer look.

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

Wild Card Round

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans

Where: Reliant Stadium

When: Saturday, Jan. 7 at 4:30 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC; replay available via Game Rewind package on NFL.com (minimum $19.99 payment).

Listen: 700 AM and ESPN 1530 for Cincinnati radio, SportsRadio 610 AM and KILT 100.3 FM for Houston radio; live audio streaming available via Audio Pass on NFL.com (minimum $14.99 payment).

Scouting the Matchup

The Bengals are backing into the postseason after losing their regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens, but they are more dangerous than people give them credit for. They have an underrated defense that allowed fewer than 20 points per game this season, and Andy Dalton and A.J. Green make for one of the league's most lethal connections.

Speaking of defense, the Texans are one of the best defensive teams in the NFL. They ranked fourth in points allowed and second in yards allowed. The concern with them is their offense, which is down to third-string quarterback T.J. Yates, and reports claim he has a separated left shoulder. It's a good thing the Texans have Arian Foster and Ben Tate, who make for the league's best running back tandem.

Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome

When: Saturday, Jan. 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC; replay available via Game Rewind package on NFL.com (minimum $19.99 payment).

Listen: 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT-FM) for Detroit radio, WWL (870 AM/105.3 FM) for New Orleans radio; live audio streaming available via Audio Pass on NFL.com (minimum $14.99 payment).

Scouting the Matchup

After over a decade of irrelevance, the Lions are back in the playoffs. They have their explosive offense to thank for that, as the Lions scored 28.9 points per game to finish fourth in the NFL in scoring. Matthew Stafford was one of the league's most productive quarterbacks, and he got a lot of help from Calvin Johnson.

The Lions offense has nothing on the Saints offense, though. The Saints finished second in the league in scoring with an average of 33.5 points per game, and they set an NFL record by gaining a grand total of 7,474 yards this season. Drew Brees is directly responsible for most of those, as he set an NFL record with 5,476 passing yards.

Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants

Where: MetLife Stadium

When: Sunday, Jan. 8 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Watch: FOX; replay available via Game Rewind package on NFL.com (minimum $19.99 payment).

Listen: STAR 94 and 790 The Zone for Atlanta radio, WFAN (660 AM) for New York radio; live audio streaming available via Audio Pass on NFL.com (minimum $14.99 payment).

Scouting the Matchup

The Falcons are one of the most balanced teams you're going to come across. Though they can be beaten through the air, the Falcons stuff the run as well as any team in the league on defense. On offense, Matt Ryan has the luxury of having three dangerous targets to throw to in wide receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones and tight end Tony Gonzalez. Michael Turner tends to get lost in the shuffle, but he rushed for over 1,000 yards once again in 2011.

The Giants have been weakened by injuries this season, but they have managed to stay competitive thanks to a couple key players. Eli Manning just had the best regular season of his career, and he owes a lot of that to Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. On defense, Jason Pierre-Paul is a legit Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and he is capable of taking over a game at any given moment.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High

When: Sunday, Jan. 8 at 4:30 p.m. ET

Watch: CBS; replay available via Game Rewind package on NFL.com (minimum $19.99 payment).

Listen: WDVE-FM (102.5) and sister station WBGG-AM (970) for Pittsburgh radio, 850 KOA AM for Denver radio; Live audio streaming available via Audio Pass on NFL.com (minimum $14.99 payment).

Scouting the Matchup

At full strength, the Steelers are as strong as any team in the league. It's therefore unfortunate that Ben Roethlisberger is less than a month removed from a nasty high-ankle sprain, and the word from Pro Football Talk is that Rashard Mendenhall may have a torn ACL. The Steelers are going to need a boost from their star-studded defense, which allowed 14.5 points and 273.9 yards per game this season.

The Broncos are entering the playoffs on a three-game losing streak that has coincided with subpar play from Tim Tebow. It doesn't help that their defense has also had its struggles in the last three weeks. Still, the Broncos remain a dangerous team because of their ability to pound opponents into submission with their running game, and rookie linebacker Von Miller can dominate a game on a good day.

Divisional Round

Highest Remaining NFC Seed at San Francisco 49ers

Where: Candlestick Park

When: Saturday, Jan. 14 at 4:30 p.m. ET

Watch: FOX; replay available via Game Rewind package on NFL.com (minimum $19.99 payment).