NFL Playoff Schedule 2016: TV Coverage and Predictions for Wild Card Sunday

After the AFC took center stage Saturday, it's time for the NFC contenders to move into the spotlight Sunday as Wild Card Weekend rolls on. Given the quality of the teams in action, it wouldn't be surprising if one of them represents the conference in the Super Bowl.

The first game features the Seattle Seahawks, who found their typical championship form after a sluggish start, taking on the upstart Minnesota Vikings. That's followed by the sporadically impressive Green Bay Packers battling the revitalized Washington Redskins.

It should make for a highly competitive day of action. Let's check out all of the important information for the games followed by a deeper dive into which factors will likely decide the winners.

2016 NFL Playoff Bracket

Sunday's Info and Picks

Time (ET)	Matchup	TV	Pick
1:05 p.m.	Seahawks at Vikings	NBC	23-17 SEA
4:40 p.m.	Packers at Redskins	Fox	31-27 WSH

Biggest Key to Each Game

Seahawks at Vikings: Let Russell Wilson Loose

The weather for this clash has generated plenty of attention, and rightfully so. It's going to create an environment where both teams are going to face a serious mental test to go along with the physical one from their opponent.

Keith Carson of the Weather Channel highlighted the downright frigid forecast:

The situation leaves the Seahawks in a tricky spot. In most cases, those types of temperatures would lead to a ground-and-pound offense while letting their second-ranked defense handle the rest.

Yet, Seattle has really found its groove as of late by letting Wilson open things up offensively. He's tossed 24 touchdowns and just one interception over the past seven games. He had just 10 passing TDs and seven interceptions over the first nine contests.

So even though the weather situation isn't ideal, it doesn't feel like the right time to completely pull in the reins on the aerial attack. Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times passed along comments from Wilson, who doesn't think the low temperatures will impact him:

"

Yeah I wear a hand warmer, and put my hands in the hand warmer in between plays and all that. I think also on the sideline, just staying warm as much as possible. But when you're moving around, you get pretty warm pretty quickly. So I don't think it will be a problem at all, and I'm looking forward to it. Fortunately I have big hands, so that helps too. So I think that's a big part of it as well.

"

With Adrian Peterson in the backfield and first-time playoff starter Teddy Bridgewater under center, the Vikings would likely prefer a low-scoring, ground-based game. To gain an advantage, the Seahawks must allow Wilson to continue building off his recent success.

If the Seahawks quarterback's prediction about his ability to overcome the conditions is accurate and Seattle lets him loose, the outlook is overwhelmingly positive. It probably won't be a blowout like the Week 13 meeting (a 38-7 win), but the visitors should still advance.

Packers at Redskins: Washington Pass Rush

Washington has been playing much better football than Green Bay as of late. Team Rankings' ratings based on the last five games have the Redskins at No. 7, while the Packers are in the middle of the pack at No. 13, which isn't what any team wants heading into the postseason.

That said, there's one way for Green Bay to emerge with the road win, and it's not a secret: Aaron Rodgers must completely take over the game. And it's not crazy to think that could happen with Washington owning the league's 25th-ranked pass defense.

It puts the onus on the Redskins defense to get pressure on Rodgers early and often. If he's allowed to stand tall in the pocket during the early going, that's when the alarm bell will start going off for Washington, which tied for 14th with 38 sacks during the regular season.

Veteran cornerback DeAngelo Hall admitted the Packers are still potent when clicking on all cylinders and explained what the defense needs to do Sunday, as noted by Scott Allen of the Washington Post: "It has to be a group effort. Our front has to get after [Rodgers]. Us on the back end, we have to cover up very well and we have to stop their run. If Eddie Lacy can run the ball and they feel like they can do whatever they want to do, run or pass, they're dangerous."

When Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith and Co. aren't able to get heat on Rodgers, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com provided a primer on what the secondary should expect:

So it all comes down to which side does a better job of hiding a weakness. The Packers offensive line, which Football Outsiders ranks 23rd in pass protection, must give Rodgers time to throw. The Redskins' pass-rushers need to attack the QB to assist a mediocre secondary.

Whichever group does a better job of accomplishing its goals will likely leads its team to victory.