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Wildcard weekend marks the start of NFL playoffs. Here are photos of key players in the two NFC wildcard games scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 5, and Sunday, Jan. 6.
NFC Wildcard matchups: Minnesota (10-6) at Green Bay (11-5)
5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5
Minnesota: Running back Adrian Peterson
Photo: Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, making a 26-yard carry against the Packers in a decisive Dec. 30 game where he gained 199 yards and scored two touchdowns, had one of the greatest season's in NFL history.
Adrian Peterson's NFL statistics -
Minnesota: Tight end Kyle Rudolph
Photo: Tight end Kyle Rudolph of the Minnesota Vikings scores on a three-yard reception in the first quarter against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on Dec. 23 in Houston.
Kyle Rudolph's NFL statistics -
Minnesota: Defensive end Jared Allen
Photo: Vikings defensive end Jared Allen sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers during the second quarter of their game on Dec. 30. Allen finished the regular season with a team-leading 12 sacks.
Jared Allen's NFL statistics -
Minnesota: Linebacker Chad Greenway
Photo: Vikings outside linebacker Chad Greenway closes in on St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford while making one of his team-leading 146 tackles.
Chad Greenway's NFL statistics -
Minnesota: Safety Harrison Smith
Photo: Vikings safety Harrison Smith blasts Houston quarterback T.J. Yates, forcing a fumble during a Dec. 23 game in Houston.
Harrison Smith's NFL statistics -
Minnesota: Kicker Blair Walsh
Photo: Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) kicks the game-winning field goal at the end of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Mall of America Field in Minneapolis on Dec. 30, sending the Vikings into the playoffs.
Blair Walsh's NFL statistics -
Green Bay: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Photo: Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12), preparing to take a snap in the first half against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 16, is considered by many the greatest quarterback in the league, based on both his statistics and his qualities as a leader.
Aaron Rodgers' NFL statistics -
Green Bay: Wide receiver James Jones
Photo: Packers wide receiver James Jones (89) looks to break a tackle by Minnesota cornerback Josh Robinson (21) after making a reception against the Vikings on Dec. 30.
James Jones' NFL statistics -
Green Bay: Wide receiver Randall Cobb
Photo: Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) holds tight and fights for yardage while being tackled by Chicago Bears cornerback D.J. Moore (30) in the first half in Chicago on Dec. 16.
Randall Cobb's NFL statistics -
Green Bay: Cornerback Casey Hayward
Photo: Packers defender Casey Hayward (29) leaps high to break up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings receiver Michael Jenkins (84) in the second quarter at Mall of America Field in Minneapolis on Dec. 30.
Casey Hayward's NFL statistics -
Green Bay: Linebacker Clay Matthews
Photo: Packers linebacker Clay Matthews deflects a pass thrown by Minnesota quarterback Christian Ponder in a Dec. 30 game. Matthews led the Packers with 13 sacks in 2012.
Clay Matthews' NFL statistics -
Green Bay: Safety Morgan Burnett
Photo: Packers safety Morgan Burnett (42) closes in on Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson (28), corralling the Vikings star before he broke loose but after he picked up a first down. Burnett led the Packers in tackles in 2012.
Morgan Burnett's NFL statistics -
Green Bay: Running back Alex Green
Photo: Packers running back Alex Green (20), being hit and tackled by Chicago cornerbacks D.J. Moore and Kelvin Hayden in a Dec. 16 game, was the top rusher in a pass-heavy offense for Green Bay.
Alex Green's NFL statistics -
Seattle: Running back Marshawn Lynch
Photo: Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, being tackled by St. Louis' Cortland Finnegan during their Dec. 30 game in Seattle, emerged as one of the best - and most bruising - running backs in the NFL in 2012.
Marshawn Lynch's NFL statistics -
Seattle: Wide receiver Sidney Rice
Photo: Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice (18) tries to stay in bounds as he runs past Buffalo Bills cornerback Aaron Williams during the first half on Dec. 16 in Toronto.
Sidney Rice's NFL statistics -
Seattle: Wide receiver Golden Tate
Photo: Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate (81) turns upfield with St. Louis Rams strong safety Craig Dahl in close pursuit during the Seahawks' 20-13 victory in Seattle on Dec. 30.
Golden Tate's NFL statistics -
Seattle: Cornerback Richard Sherman
Photo: Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman leaps over 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree after intercepting a pass during Seattle's rout of the 49ers on Dec. 23. Sherman finished the regular season with eight interceptions.
Richard Sherman's NFL statistics -
Seattle: Linebacker Bobby Wagner
Photo: Seahawks rookie linebacker Bobby Wagner, right, converges with teammate Leroy Hill to stop 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the first half of their Dec. 23 game in Seattle. Wagner emerged to lead the Seahawks in tackles in 2012.
Bobby Wagner's NFL statistics -
Seattle: Defensive end Chris Clemons
Photo: Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons (91) forces a fumble by Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick during the second half of Seattle's 50-17 win on Dec. 16 in Toronto.
Chris Clemons NFL statistics -
Washington: Running back Alfred Morris
Photo: Redskins running back back Alfred Morris (46) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys strong safety Eric Frampton (27) on Dec. 30. Morris' brilliant rookie season included more than 1,600 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns.
Alfred Morris' NFL statistics -
Washington: Wide receiver Santana Moss
Photo: Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss, still effective enough in his 12th NFL season to lead Washington receivers with eight touchdowns, is collared by Dallas cornerback Mike Jenkins during the second half of their Dec. 30 game.
Santana Moss' NFL statistics -
Washington: Linebacker London Fletcher
Photo: In his 15th NFL season, Redskins linebacker London Fletcher led the team in tackles and interceptions, including this one against Philadelphia on Dec. 23.
London Fletcher's NFL statistics -
Washington: Linebacker Perry Riley
Photo: Redskins linebacker Perry Riley flies in to tackle Philadelphia's Jeremy Maclin during the first half of their Dec. 23 game in Philadelphia.
Perry Riley's NFL statistics -
Washington: Kicker Kai Forbath
Photo: Redskins rookie Kai Forbath, who took over the kicking duties and became a dependable weapon, boots a field goal from the hold from Sav Rocca against the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 23 in Philadelphia.
Kai Forbath's NFL statistics
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