BOSTON -- The National Football League released its playoff schedule, and the Patriots will make their first appearance in prime time.

Because they are the first seed in the AFC, the Patriots will have Wild Card Weekend (January 5-6) off. They will return to the field at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, January 12 at 8:00 p.m. to take on the lowest seeded winner of the AFC Wild Card games.

Here is the rest of the NFL's playoff schedule:

Saturday, January 5 4:30 p.m.: Washington at Seattle 8:00 p.m.: Jacksonville at Pittsburgh

Sunday, January 6 1:00 p.m.: New York Giants at Tampa Bay 4:30 p.m.: Cleveland or Tennessee at San Diego

Saturday, January 12 4:30 p.m.: Seattle, Tampa Bay, or New York at Green Bay 8:00 p.m.: Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Cleveland, or Tennessee at New England

Sunday, January 13 1:00 p.m.: San Diego, Pittsburgh, or Jacksonville at Indianapolis 4:30 p.m.: Tampa Bay, New York Giants, or Washington at Dallas

Sunday, January 20 3:00 p.m.: AFC Championship Game 6:30 p.m.: NFC Championship Game

Sunday, February 3 6:30 p.m.: Super Bowl (Glendale, Arizona)