Bills draw traditional NFL playoff time slot for Wild Card Weekend

The Buffalo Bills are heading to the Sunshine State for a CBS playoff special with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo

Sep 23, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) signals for a first down against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Nothing says NFL tradition quite like one o'clock on Sunday afternoon.

It's the one time slot that has withstood the test of time, and the Buffalo Bills will occupy it for the second year in a row on Wild Card Weekend.

As the No. 6 seed in the AFC Playoffs, the Bills (12-5)will visit the AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4) for 1 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday, January 11. CBS will carry the action live with Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson on the call.

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It's the fourth year in a row that Buffalo has been assigned this start time for its postseason opener.

Can’t wait to head to Jacksonville for this matchup with the Bills! #WildCardWeekend pic.twitter.com/kT0S6tlKG4

— Tracy Wolfson (@tracywolfson) January 5, 2026

Last year, Buffalo hosted the Denver Broncos in the 1 p.m. window on Wild Card Sunday, posting a 31-7 victory. In 2023, the Bills were scheduled to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in that same time slot, but snow postponed kickoff until the following Monday afternoon.

Buffalo topped the Miami Dolphins, 34-31, in the 2022 AFC Wild Card Round in the early Sunday time slot. The Bills have won their last first opening round playoff games, but all five have been at home in Orchard Park. This time, they'll have to do it on the road.

Buffalo entered Week 18 as the No. 7 seed, and proceeded to overtake the Los Angeles Chargers for the No. 6 spot by virtue of Sunday's results. The Bills posted a 35-8 win over the New York Jets while the Chargers fell, 19-3, to the Broncos.

The NFL unveiled its entire Wild Card Weekend schedule at halftime of the Sunday Night Football finale between the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.

Jan 12, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates a touchdown with running back Ty Johnson (26) during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos in an AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Onto Jacksonville

There was no time for head coach Sean McDermott to celebrate or reflect in the aftermath of the Bills' triumphant Highmark Stadium finale. All focus is already on the mission ahead.

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“That's where my head is already right now, is ready to put in the work to get ourselves ready to go to play our best football. This time of year, that's what it takes," said McDermott after the 35-8 win. "You can't beat yourself, you got to play good, solid football and, you know, we'll have a big challenge ahead of us here."

Nov 7, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks on in the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Bills vs. Jaguars playoff history

The Bills last faced the Jaguars in a Week 3 meeting at Highmark Stadium during the 2024 season. Buffalo posted a 47-10 win on Monday Night Football.

When it comes to the postseason, however, Buffalo has never defeated Jacksonville. The franchises have met twice, both coming on Wild Card Weekend.

Sep 23, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) breaks a tackle by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

In 1996, the Jaguars stunned the Bills, 30-27, as Mike Hollis banked in the eventual game-winning field goal off the upright. It was Jim Kelly's last game for Buffalo, and the quarterback was carted off with an injury late in the fourth quarter.

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In 2017, the Bills ended the drought and visited the Jaguars for a war of attrition. Jacksonville, which scored the game's lone touchdown on a 4th-and-goal play, posted a 10-3 win. Buffalo's best scoring chance was thwarted when Kelvin Benjamin was flagged for offensive pass interference in the end zone.

Jan 7, 2018; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) throws the ball as Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler (56) pressures during the second half of the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Everbank Field. | Kim Klement-Imagn Images

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