This series is brought to you by T.G.I Fridays®, encouraging you to Rush in and Tackle their new Game Time Menu!

It’s the NFL Playoffs – we know you don’t need us to tell you to watch. But here are five storylines that will definitely peak your interest as you tune into Wildcard Weekend in the NFL.

1. Can the Seahawks do the unthinkable?
Everyone believes it’s a foregone conclusion that the Saints will beat the Seahawks by about six touchdowns. But if the NFL has taught us anything over the years it’s to expect the unexpected. It’s safe to say that the Saints aren’t the same team they were a year ago when they hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. They still have Drew Brees to lead Sean Payton’s explosive passing attack and Gregg Williams’ defense can still bring the heat. But Brees has thrown 22 interceptions this year, Payton lost his inside runner in Pierre Thomas (who was placed on IR earlier this week) and Williams’ defense has been less opportunistic than it was a year ago. (They led the NFC in interceptions last year with 26, but picked off a league-low nine passes this season.) The Seahawks are easily the most overmatched team in the playoffs and the only reason why they’re playing this weekend is because they were fortunate enough to play in the NFC West. That said, you know Pete Carroll will rally the troops this Saturday and give the Saints all he’s got. It still may wind up in a six-touchdown defeat, but on any given Sunday (uh, or Saturday)…

2. Can Rex Ryan get the Peyton Manning monkey off his back?
In six games against Ryan-led defenses, Manning is 5-1 with 1,513 yards, 12 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. And the lone loss came in Week 16 last year when the Colts had already locked home field advantage and Curtis Painter played the majority of the second half as Peyton looked on from the sidelines. Ryan hasn’t had an answer for Manning yet and once again he must try to defeat Peyton in his house. Everyone was concerned with Mark Sanchez when these two teams met in the AFC Championship last year, but it was Ryan’s defense that failed as Manning shredded the Jets for 377 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Whatever Ryan has thrown at an opponent’s offense, Manning has diagnosed it and has figured out a way to beat it. Peyton is a film junkie and will never be caught unprepared. Thus, Ryan better come up with a new wrinkle or two if he wants to put an end to Manning’s hold over him.

3. How healthy is Michael Vick?
He says he’s 100% but is Vick truly healthy? Because if he’s not, then the Eagles might be toast. Vick’s ability to run around and improvise is what makes him who he is. Has he taken too many hits this season? Sure, but he reminded everyone this year how dangerous he can be when he escapes the pocket. If the quad injury he suffered on the first play of the Minnesota game last week limits his mobility, then Clay Matthews and the Packers could have a field day laying the wood to him. That doesn’t mean he still can’t beat them with his arm because he can. But Green Bay would rather take its chances defending the pass with their solid secondary than try to chase Vick all afternoon. If he is healthy, then his ability to read where the Packers’ blitzes are coming from will be paramount. When teams have disguised their blitzes, he’s struggled. And he certainly will be tested this weekend by a highly intelligent defensive coordinator in Dom Capers.

4. Will the Saints and Packers’ inability to run the ball cost them?
No opponent wants to get into a shootout with the Saints or Packers. Thanks to two explosive passing attacks led by Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, New Orleans and Green Bay are never out of a game. That said, would either of these teams be able to run out the clock in the fourth quarter in order to protect a lead? People forget how vital Pierre Thomas was to the Saints’ success in the postseason last year because he kept Sean Payton’s offense balanced. With Thomas and Chris Ivory out for the season, it stands to reason that New Orleans’ offense will look much different with Reggie Bush as its lead back. (The Saints may be more explosive with Bush, but they won’t be able to grind out tough yards by going up the middle.) For the Packers, James Starks could surprise. He rushed for 20 yards on five carries (4.0 YPC) last Sunday in a win over the Bears and was by far Green Bay’s most impressive runner. But will Mike McCarthy give him enough carries to have an impact? And even then, will the interior of the Packers’ O-line get enough push up front to allow the running game to succeed? The Saints and Packers’ ability or inability to move the ball on the ground could play a huge role in this weekend’s outcomes.

5. Can the Chiefs rise to the challenge?
The Saints beating the Seahawks isn’t the only foregone conclusion in most people’s minds this weekend. It’s safe to say that the majority of football fans believe that the Ravens will have a fairly easy time disposing of the Chiefs on Sunday. But just because Kansas City turned in a putrid effort against Oakland in Week 17, doesn’t mean that Baltimore will roll into Arrowhead and scoop up an easy victory. The Chiefs are extremely difficult to beat at home, as their 7-1 record this season would indicate. Baltimore has had a ton of success winning on the road in the playoffs, but anyone that expects a blowout is will probably be sadly mistaken.