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2021 NFL playoffs Wild Card Saturday: Patriots rooting guide, how to watch, open thread

Related: Patriots fans, choose your 2021 playoff team!

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Detroit Lions Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

Welcome to the 2021 NFL playoffs! While the New England Patriots will not participate this year — the team went just 7-9 and failed to qualify for the first time since 2008 — the postseason tournament projects to be an entertaining one yet again.

So, without further ado here’s how you can watch Saturday’s wild card games and who Patriots fans should root for.

#7 Indianapolis Colts (10-6) at #3 Buffalo Bills (13-3)

When: 1:05 p.m. ET

Where: Bills Stadium, Orchard Park NY

Television: CBS, CBS All Access

Live streaming: fuboTV (Try for free here!)

SB Nation coverage: Stampede Blue (Colts), Buffalo Rumblings (Bills)

Patriots rooting guide: Go Bills! Yes, they are one of New England’s division rivals, but 39 percent of Patriots fans voted for Buffalo as their top choice in the AFC — compared to only 3 percent who went with the Colts. Given the long-time rivalry between New England and Indianapolis, this does not come all that surprising.


#6 Los Angeles Rams (10-6) at #3 Seattle Seahawks (12-4)

When: 4:40 p.m. ET

Where: Lumen Field, Seattle WA

Television: FOX, FOX Deportes

Live streaming: fuboTV (Try for free here!)

SB Nation coverage: Turf Show Times (Rams), Field Gulls (Seahawks)

Patriots rooting guide: Go Seahawks! While there is no obvious rooting interest in this game — New England beat both teams in the Super Bowl — fans went with Seattle in our poll earlier this week: 2 percent of participants went with the Seahawks as their NFC favorite, compared to 1 percent for the Rams.


#5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) at #4 Washington Football Team (7-9)

When: 8:15 p.m. ET

Where: FexExField, Landover MD

Television: NBC, Universo

Live streaming: fuboTV (Try for free here!)

SB Nation coverage: Bucs Nation (Buccaneers), Hogs Haven (Football Team)

Patriots rooting guide: Go Buccaneers! Tom Brady. Rob Gronkowski. There is not much more to say — and Patriots fans agree: 68 percent of them went with Tampa Bay as their team of choice in the NFC, compared to 7 percent who opted to vote for the Football Team.