NFL Wildcard Weekend: A Vikings Fan's Guide

The NFL playoffs begin on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 6 and 7, with Wild Card Weekend. Thanks to their clinching of the No. 2 seed, the Minnesota Vikings have the weekend off. As the champions of the NFC North, the Vikings will play either the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, or the Carolina Panthers at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 14 at 3:40 p.m. in the divisional round of the playoffs.

With the Purple resting this Sunday, Vikings fans have the opportunity to check out the games that will decide who comes to Minneapolis next week. Here's a look at the action coming up this weekend:

Saturday games

AFC: The Tennessee Titans play at the Kansas City Chiefs (ESPN/ABC, 3:35 p.m)

NFC: The Atlanta Falcons visit the Los Angeles Rams (NBC, 7:15 p.m) Wild Card.

During the regular season, the Vikings beat the Falcons in Atlanta 14-7. Minnesota beat the Rams 24-7 at home.

Sunday

AFC: Buffalo Bills at the Jacksonville Jaguars (CBS, 12:05 p.m.)

NFC: The Carolina Panthers travel to face the division-rival New Orleans Saints (FOX, 3:40 p.m.)

The Vikings lost to the Panthers 31-24 in Carolina this season. They beat the Saints 29-19 at home.

The Rams are 5 point favorites over the Falcons, while the Panthers are 6 point underdogs to the Saints, according to Vegas Insider. ESPN reporter Kevin Seifert predicts the Vikings will face the Rams in their first playoff game.

The Vikings are Vegas' pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Minnesota is the 9/5 favorite to win the NFC Championship and have 9/2 odds to win the Super Bowl. The Patriots have 2/1 odds.

The Vikings are making their 29th postseason appearance, the fifth-most in NFL history.

Read more: The Minnesota Vikings' Super Bowl Odds Are Better Than You Think

Photo credit: Fans tailgate before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)