Wild Card playoff points
Overview of NFL Wild Card games this weekend:
AFC Wild Card games
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-6) at CINCINNATI BENGALS (12-4)
Much will hinge on whether veteran Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can eradicate a rising toll of interceptions which have dogged his recent performances ©Jason Miller (Getty Images/AFP/File)
Overview: The two bitter AFC North rivals meet for the third time this season after splitting the honors in their previous two meetings. Pittsburgh won the most recent encounter 33-20 last month.
Much will hinge on whether veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can eradicate a rising toll of interceptions which have dogged his recent performances.
Roethlisberger has been picked off repeatedly in three consecutive games and is under orders to protect possession more carefully.
The Bengals meanwhile are still grappling with the absence of quarterback Andy Dalton, who broke a thumb against the Steelers last month and has not played since.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (11-5) at HOUSTON TEXANS (9-7)
Overview: The Chiefs take an impressive 10-game winning streak to Texas, where they have already won once this season on the opening day.
Quarterback Alex Smith has reveled behind a dominant offensive line while coach Andy Reid has overseen a remarkable transformation of his team's fortunes after they began the year with a 1-5 record.
Reid, the longtime coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, took his former team to five championship games as well as a Super Bowl but has never won the ultimate prize.
Standing in the Chiefs' way this weekend are the Texans, who could well leave Reid disappointed once more if defensive titans J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus -- who have nearly 30 sacks between them this season -- are able to disrupt the Kansas City offense.
NFC Wild Card games
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (10-6) at MINNESOTA VIKINGS (11-5)
Overview: Bone-chilling temperatures are expected for a game which will see Seattle attempt to put Adrian Peterson into deep freeze once more.
The Seahawks limited Peterson to just 18 yards in eight carries when the two teams met last month, going on to claim a 38-7 win.
Seattle will be boosted by the return of running back Marshawn Lynch, who has not played since undergoing abdomen surgery in November.
While the Vikings defense has improved since their pummeling by Seattle last month, it remains to be seen whether Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has the range of passing required to trouble last season's Super Bowl runners-up if the running threat of Peterson is neutralized once more.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (10-6) at WASHINGTON REDSKINS (9-7)
Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins has repaid the faith shown in him by coach Jay Gruden by helping the Redskins clinch the NFC East to reach the playoffs for the first time in three years.
However Cousins' season of steady improvement could face a searching examination against Green Bay duo Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, two of the league's premier pass rushers.
Green Bay meanwhile are hoping a patched up offensive line -- which has six players on the injury report -- can afford quarterback Aaron Rodgers the sort of protection he will need to unlock the Washington defense.
Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs has overseen a remarkable transformation of his team's fortunes after they began the year with a 1-5 record ©Rob Carr (Getty Images/AFP/File)
The Seattle Seahawks will be boosted by the return of running back Marshawn Lynch (C), who has not played since undergoing abdomen surgery in November ©Steve DYKES (Getty Images/AFP/File)
Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins has repaid the faith shown in him by coach Jay Gruden by helping the Redskins clinch the NFC East to reach the playoffs for the first time in three years ©Tom Pennington (Getty Inages/AFP/File)
