The Minnesota Vikings are nearly a week deep into the offseason, but the NFL’s post-season is just getting started as wildcard weekend is about to get underway.
Here is a quick look at the matchups on tap for the weekend:
Oakland (12-4) at Houston (9-7)
The first wildcard game Saturday afternoon will be a battle of the two teams with quarterback issues. Oakland’s MVP candidate Derek Carr is out with a broken leg so Michigan State standout Connor Cook gets the start.
Houston is going back to Brock Oesweiler, who lost the job a few weeks ago to Tom Savage. But Savage is also out, so the Texans turn back to Oesweiler.
The Raiders won the earlier meeting between the two teams this year 27-20, but Carr threw three touchdowns that day. Oakland will need more out of Latavius Murray than the 33 yards he ran for in that game.
Kickoff is at 3:30 on ESPN.
Detroit (9-7) at Seattle (10-5-1)
The Lions are making just their third playoff appearance since 2000. In the previous two (2011, 2014) they lost in the wildcard round both times. The Seahawks are just the opposite, they make their fifth straight post season appearance.
While quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Matt Stafford should dominate much of the offense in the Saturday night game, watch for Eagan native Zach Zenner.
Zenner has been leading the Lions’ running game recently with 334 yards and four touchdowns. Three of his four touchdowns have been scored in the last three weeks.
Kickoff is at 7:15 on NBC.
Miami (10-6) at Pittsburgh (11-5)
The first game Sunday will see Miami head into Pittsburgh without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill. He is out with a knee injury, so Matt Moore will get the start for the Dolphins.
The game will feature two of the better running backs in the league this season – Miami’s Jay Ajayi and Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell. Both backs ran for more than 1,200 yards on the season, both averaged just under 5 yards per carry, Ajayi had an extra touchdown.
But the story line to watch deals with Dolphins cornerback Byron Maxwell. Pro Football Talk notes that he still hasn’t practiced this week. If he’s unable to go, it could put Miami at a serious disadvantage against Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown.
Kickoff is at Noon on CBS.
New York (11-5) at Green Bay (10-6)
As Vikings fans are painfully aware, the Packers won six straight to finish the regular season at 10-6 and win the NFC North last weekend in Detroit.
Aaron Rodgers threw 40 touchdowns, Jordy Nelson caught 14 of them, but it’s the Packers secondary that will be tested.
Eli Manning threw for 4,026 yards and 26 touchdowns and has a trio of receivers who will be a challenge for a Green Bay defense that gave up more than 4,300 yards through the air this year.
Kickoff is at 3:30 Sunday afternoon.
