RAIDERS (12-4) at TEXANS (9-7), 4:35 p.m.

Outlook: The opener of the postseason’s weekend quartet is a weird one because neither team has its quarterback of choice. The Raiders resort to Connor Cook – who’ll be the first rookie in the Super Bowl era to make his first NFL start in a playoff game – because a broken leg ended Derek Carr’s Pro Bowl season and because backup Matt McGloin suffered a shoulder injury last weekend. The Texans return to benched free-agent bust Brock Osweiler only because replacement Tom Savage is concussed. Oakland beat Houston 27-20 in Mexico City in November, but what will matter most in these teams’ first-ever playoff meeting is which undesirable QB will be least bad. Cook has two 1,000-yard receivers and a really good offensive line, and won’t need to score much to beat the punchless Texans and extend Oakland’s first playoff appearance since 2002. Houston isn’t very good and will show it.

Television: ABC/ESPN

Prediction: Raiders, 20-17

LIONS (9-7) at SEAHAWKS (10-5-1), 8:15 p.m.

Outlook: I am not a slave to trends steering bets, but the contrast this matchup presents must not be ignored. Seattle is a really good home team (48-13 under Pete Carroll) and is on an 8-0 postseason run in its own stadium. Detroit hasn’t won in the postseason since 1991. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks have won a playoff game each of the past four straight seasons – Januarys do not rattle them. Not sure I feel the same about Matthew Stafford and these Lions, especially with Stafford obviously still bothered by that injured finger on his throwing hand, a big reason Detroit closed with three straight losses. The Lions won a record eight games after trailing in the fourth quarter or OT, which means they’re more lucky than good. Detroit winning in Seattle would be a big shock.

Television: NBC

Prediction: Seahawks, 28-16

By Greg Cote, Miami Herald