First Look at NFL Playoffs

ST. LOUIS AT SEATTLE

When -- Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Channel 7

Story line -- How hard is it to defeat a team three times in a season? The Rams will find out, having swept the Seahawks in their two NFC West matchups.

Matchup memories -- Even though these teams were a combined two games above .500 in the regular season, the Seahawks (9-7) and Rams (8-8) were more erratic than mediocre. When they’re good, they’re very good; when they’re bad, they stink. The last time they played in Seattle, in Week 5, the Rams ended the Seahawks’ 10-game home winning streak with an overtime victory. Marc Bulger led a 17-point rally for St. Louis by throwing two touchdown passes in the final 5 minutes 34 seconds of regulation. When the Rams won that game, receiver Isaac Bruce tore off his helmet in celebration and set it at the 20-yard line. Seahawk safety Ken Hamlin stormed over and gave the helmet a kick, triggering a brief but spirited shoving match. Yes, these teams know each other.

NEW YORK JETS AT SAN DIEGO

When -- Saturday, 5 p.m., Channel 7

Story line -- The Jets were the first of four teams to defeat the Chargers this season, doing so in Week 2 at San Diego. Now, the Chargers are looking to prove they’re a very different team.

Matchup memories -- That Sept. 19 victory by the Jets must seem like ages ago to San Diego quarterback Drew Brees, who sustained a concussion in that game and was pulled for Doug Flutie with less than four minutes to play. Brees was so upset, he ripped off his helmet and threw it on the sideline and got into a heated argument with Coach Marty Schottenheimer. Less than four months later, Brees has had an MVP-caliber season and Schottenheimer is a leading coach-of-the-year candidate. The Jets followed a 5-0 start by going 5-6 in their final 11 games. Still, they advanced to the playoffs for the third time in four seasons under Coach Herman Edwards.

DENVER AT INDIANAPOLIS

When -- Sunday, 10 a.m., Channel 2

Story line -- Peyton Manning got a week off. When he returns, will he continue his touchdown-throwing rampage against a Denver team that hasn’t won a playoff game since John Elway retired?

Matchup memories -- These teams will face each other in consecutive weeks, but, of course, the Colts will look much different Sunday with their starters on the field. Some Bronco players still feel the sting of last season’s 41-10 loss at Indianapolis in a wild-card game last January. Manning had a spectacular day then, completing 22 of 26 passes for 377 yards, five touchdowns and a “perfect” passer rating of 158.3. It was also his first postseason victory. One play told the story for Denver: Manning found Marvin Harrison for a 16-yard gain in the first half, and Harrison went down at the Bronco 30. As two Denver defenders argued over who blew the coverage, the untouched Harrison climbed to his feet and ran the rest of the way for a touchdown.

MINNESOTA AT GREEN BAY

When -- Sunday, 1:30 p.m., Channel 11

Story line -- The Packers pulled out of their nose-dive this season, but can they pull off a third consecutive victory over their NFC North nemesis? Minnesota, meanwhile, is 1-20 in its last 21 regular-season games played outdoors.

Matchup memories -- Twice in less than two months, the Packers have defeated the Vikings by identical 34-31 scores. That’s a remarkable turnaround for a Green Bay team that lost four of its first five games. The last time these teams met, Viking quarterback Daunte Culpepper threw for three touchdowns on three consecutive passes in a wild second quarter. That wasn’t enough to stop Brett Favre, though. The Packer quarterback directed a 76-yard drive in the game’s waning moments to set up a 29-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell on the last play. After the game, it was the Vikings who were talking about leg swings and such. “When we watch film,” Culpepper said, “we’re going to kick ourselves.”