What channel is 49ers vs. Vikings on today? Time, TV schedule for NFL divisional playoff game

The NFL playoff schedule for 2020 brings a unique set of national TV broadcasts, with three networks and the associated TV channels presenting four games over the span of two days in the divisional round. Today's 49ers vs. Vikings game in San Francisco, scheduled to kick off at 4:35 p.m. ET on Saturday, will be shown on NBC.

Minnesota reached this game with its improbable wild-card win in New Orleans, fueled by the dominance of running back Dalvin Cook and the clutch play of quarterback Kirk Cousins. If the Vikings were to upset the 49ers as seven-point road underdogs in the divisional playoffs, and if the Titans were to do the same to the Ravens on Saturday night, Minnesota and Tennessee would become the the first pair of No. 6 seeds to reach the conference championship round since 2010.

49ers vs. Vikings picks:
Against the spread | Straight-up predictions

To pull that off against the top-seeded 49ers, the Vikings likely will need another big game from Cook, who finished with 130 scrimmage yards (94 rushing, 36 receiving) and two rushing touchdowns in his postseason debut last week. If Cook records at least 125 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns Saturday, he would become the first player with at least 125 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in each of his first two career postseason games in NFL history.

He and the Vikings will have their hands full against a resurgent 49ers team that won the NFC West this season for the first time since 2012. San Francisco is powered by a handful of stars, both on the field and on the sideline, that allowed the 49ers to dominate Sporting News' NFL awards for 2019. The team has the Comeback Player of the Year in quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the Rookie of the Year in defensive end Nick Bosa, the Coach of the Year in Kyle Shanahan and the Coordinator of the Year in defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

Below is all the info you need to watch 49ers vs. Vikings on NBC, including the TV channel and kickoff time.

MORE: Full betting preview for 49ers vs. Vikings

What channel is 49ers vs. Vikings on today?

• TV channel (national): NBC
• TV channel (San Francisco): KNTV
• TV channel (Minneapolis): KARE
• Live stream: Yahoo! | DAZN (in CA)

Sunday's 49ers vs. Vikings game on NBC will be called by the network's "Sunday Night Football" crew. That means Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth will be on the call. Michelle Tafoya will report from the sidelines, and NBC NFL rules analyst Terry McAulay will explain officiating rulings.

For those who can't watch 49ers vs. Vikings on TV and wish to find the game on the radio, the Minnesota call can be heard on Sirius channel 82 and XM channel 226, and the San Francisco call can be heard on Sirius channel 83 and XM channel 225.

MORE: Watch every NFL game and RedZone on DAZN (Canada only)

What time does 49ers vs. Vikings start?

• Date: Saturday, Jan. 11
• Start time: 4:35 p.m. ET

In both our picks against the spread and our straight-up predictions for the divisional round of the playoffs, Sporting News is projecting a 49ers win over the Vikings. Below are the explanations.

Against the spread: The Vikings have been a gritty road team all season, but their overtime upset of the Saints marked their first victory over a winning team. The 49ers present them a more explosive, versatile offense and a defense that's good on every level. Minnesota will have some rushing success in San Francisco with a lot more Dalvin Cook. But the Niners' back seven is strong, deep and now healthier in coverage, and it operates behind a relentless pass rush.

Kirk Cousins won't be able to hit on the big pass plays the Vikings need, and Jimmy Garoppolo, helped by many wrinkles involving his backs, receivers and tight end George Kittle, will have more success throwing downfield. The 49ers will give the Vikings multiple looks with speed and quickness, keeping Garoppolo mostly clean. Their close, big-game experience and home-field advantage will pay off nicely as they take control in the second half.

Pick: 49ers win 28-20 and cover the spread.

Straight up: The Vikings ran over the Saints on their way to the divisional round, both literally and figuratively. The zone rushing attack spearheaded by a healthy Dalvin Cook was too much for a banged-up New Orleans defense, and San Francisco, though supposedly at full health, will have similar issues. The problem for the Vikings is that the 49ers' own zone rushing attack is even better.

In New Orleans, Minnesota's stingy defense was able to focus on Michael Thomas containment and take advantage of the Saints' critical mistakes. In San Francisco, though, Mike Zimmer's crew will have their hands full against a more diverse, complete attack. With a trio of talented running backs, the NFL's best tight end in George Kittle, a deep receiving corps led by breakout star Deebo Samuel and a smooth, savvy distributor in quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers are slightly more loaded than an impressive (and notably healthy) Vikings team.

Pick: 49ers 27, Vikings 20

MORE: Playoff predictions through Super Bowl 54

NFL playoff schedule: Divisional round

Below is the full NFL divisional playoff schedule for 2020, complete with TV channels and live stream links.

Saturday, Jan. 11

Sunday, Jan. 12