Nearly 44% of the NFL makes the playoffs every year. It takes 18 weeks to cut the league from 32 to 14.

There are hundreds, maybe thousands of announcers across the sports landscape. When the dust settles, only six announcer teams will have the chance to make the NFL playoffs. Rising to the top of the broadcasting world is a tough task, if not almost impossible for many. It takes the right amount of luck, knowing the right people and still having the talent that sets you apart.

In a world where former players and legacy names are jumping into broadcasting, those opportunities to get into the industry are even more rare.

So when the playoff schedule drops, don't be surprised to see some familiar names. They are among the best of the best, who have demonstrated longevity in a profession that doesn't promise anything beyond the current moment in time.

On the road to Super Bowl 59, CBS gets the party started, with one of two games they'll have this weekend on Saturday. NBC, Fox and ESPN also assume their typical seats at the table, but Amazon is the newcomer on the block. The streamer secured rights to a playoff game this season, which will be exclusively on Prime Video with their normal "Thursday Night Football" crew.

Which broadcasters made the playoffs and where will they be headed for wild card weekend? Here's a look at the announcer schedule.

NFL playoffs: Wild card weekend announcer schedule

Saturday, Jan. 11

Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans, 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS

• Announcers: Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens, 8 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video

• Announcers: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung

Sunday, Jan. 12

Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

• Announcers: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson, Jay Feely

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 p.m. ET, Fox

• Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi

Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8 p.m. ET, NBC

• Announcers: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark

Monday, Jan. 13

Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

• Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters

NFL playoff schedule

All times Eastern

Saturday, Jan. 11

• Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans, 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS

• Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens, 8 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video

Sunday, Jan. 12

• Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

• Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 p.m. ET, Fox

• Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8 p.m. ET, NBC

Monday, Jan. 13

• Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 18

• AFC/NFC divisional game: 4:30 p.m.

• AFC/NFC division game: 8:15 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 19

• AFC/NFC divisional game: 3 p.m.

• AFC/NFC divisional game: 6:30 p.m.

NFL conference championship round

Sunday, Jan. 26

• NFC championship game: 3 p.m.

• AFC championship game: 6:30 p.m.

Super Bowl 59

• Date: Feb. 9, 2025

• Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)

• Time: 6:30 p.m.

• TV: FOX

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL playoffs announcer schedule: Who is calling wild card games?