SUN 5
Vikings at Saints (12:05 p.m., Fox-32)
It’s payback time for the ‘‘Minneapolis Miracle,’’ isn’t it? We assume there are some Saints who remember — not happily — losing in impossible fashion to the Vikings on that last-ditch Stefon Diggs touchdown two postseasons ago. We have cousins who’d have as good a chance as Kirk Cousins’ to shoot down Drew Brees and Co. in this one.
Michigan at Michigan State (12:30 p.m., Ch. 2)
Are these the Big Ten’s two best basketball teams? The Spartans owned the Wolverines last season, but that was before Juwan Howard took the reins of Michigan’s program. Time to see what the former Fab Fiver can do without Chris Webber and Jalen Rose at his side.
Seahawks at Eagles (3:40 p.m., Ch. 5)
The Seahawks were a mighty impressive 7-1 on the road during the regular season, including a 17-9 victory in Philly in late November, and quarterback Russell Wilson has a 4-0 career record against the Eagles. Cue Carson Wentz, who finally gets to take the snaps for the Eagles in a playoff game. Somewhere, Nick Foles will be watching with great interest.
TUE 7
Ohio State at Maryland (6 p.m., ESPN)
Are these the Big Ten’s two best basketball teams? The Buckeyes have proved they can beat anybody, but they don’t seem to have a go-to guy at crunch time. Sadly, their football team can relate.
WED 8
Northwestern at Indiana (6 p.m., BTN)
The Wildcats beat the Hoosiers last January at Welsh-Ryan Arena, the 100th victory at the school for coach Chris Collins. What followed that? A 10-game losing streak for Collins’ crew. Here would be a fine time for the coach to demonstrate there’s any hope at all in his program.
Bulls at Pelicans (7 p.m., NBCSCH)
Might this be Zion Williamson’s long-awaited NBA debut? He’s back to full practices with the team, his right knee seemingly good to go. This could be the Bulls’ biggest game of the season, not that it would have anything to do with them.
Illinois at Wisconsin (8 p.m., BTN)
Some Illini types have the gall to pretend this is still a top program in college basketball. Yeah, well, about that 15-game losing streak to the Badgers: How about you get crazy and dial up an end to it, Brad Underwood?
THU 9
Predators at Blackhawks (7:30 p.m., NBCSCH)
The Predators are in the Hawks’ way for a playoff spot. A more realistic way to put it: Neither team is anywhere close to where it wants to be. But let’s focus on the barely possible, shall we?
FRI 10
Pacers at Bulls (7 p.m., NBCSCH)
The Pacers have three players — T.J. Warren, Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis — averaging right around 17 points. Somehow, an absence of superstars plus really good coaching equals playoff-bound success for this team. But Jim Boylen says the Bulls are getting close!
SAT 11
TBD at 49ers (3:35 p.m., Ch. 5)
Jimmy Garoppolo is too handsome to lose in this round — and print it. OK, fine, advancing might require a few clutch completions to go with those good looks.
TBD at Ravens (7:15 p.m., Ch. 2)
Is anyone going to stop Lamar Jackson from reaching his date with destiny? We’d quoth the Raven, but poetry tends to confuse us.
