Wild Card Games Start the NFL Playoffs

The road to Super Bowl XXXI begins today with the NFL Wild Card playoff games. The Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Buffalo Bills at 9:30 a.m. on Channel 7, followed by the Minnesota Vikings vs. the Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys at 1 p.m., also on ABC.

On Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts battle the Pittsburgh Steelers at 9:30 a.m. on Channel 4. At 1 p.m. on Channel 11, the Philadelphia Eagles take on the San Francisco 49ers.

For the non-sports fan: ABC presents the two-hour musical variety special “Caesars Palace 30th Anniversary Celebration,” tonight at 8 on Channel 7. Drew Carey, Carrot Top, Celine Dion, Ray Charles, Tony Danza and Julio Iglesias are among the performers.

Cheech Marin and Giselle Fernandez host the “1996 NCLR Bravo Awards,” tonight at 9 on Channel 11. The special celebrates the positive portrayals of Latinos in American film, TV and music.

On “The Great Masters With Charlie Rose,” airing Sunday at 6 p.m. on Channel 28, the PBS interviewer presents the works of renowned artists Jan Vermeer, Pablo Picasso and Paul Cezanne.

Public Affairs: TODAY:

“Today” features Michael Sivy’s 1997 Wall Street forecast, best moments of 1996 and New Year’s Eve party fare, 6 a.m. (4)(36). . . .

On “Evans & Novak,” guest Jesse Jackson discusses Ebonics, affirmative action and President Clinton’s second term, 2:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

President Clinton’s second term is the topic on “Inside Politics Weekend,” with Bob Woodward and David Maraniss of the Washington Post, 4:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

“Larry King Weekend” salutes Bob Hope, with guest Dolores Hope, 6 and 11 p.m. CNN. . . .

“The McLaughlin Group” debates national and individual welfare, 6:30 p.m. (4).

SUNDAY: “Today” looks at the best New Year’s movies to rent, controlling children’s Internet use and a year-end review, 6 a.m. (4)(36). . . .

“Meet the Press” airs at 7 a.m. (4)(36). . . .

“Sunday Morning” features a tribute to influential people who died in 1996; bandleader Peter Duchin; film review of “Evita,” 7:30 a.m. (2). . . .

Medical marijuana policy and the Gingrich controversy are the topics on “Face the Nation,” with guests Gen. Barry McCaffrey, White House drug policy director; Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), and Gloria Borger, U.S. News & World Report, 9 a.m. (2). . . .

On “Bob Navarro’s Journal,” TV journalists Steve Hartman and Huell Howser discuss Los Angeles and its people, 9:30 a.m. (2). . . .

House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the congressional agenda and predictions for 1997 are the topics on “This Week,” 10 a.m. (7). . . .

“Both Sides With Jesse Jackson” looks back at stories that affected minorities in 1996, 2:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

“60 Minutes” deals with Aspartame and brain tumors; Jews and Arabs in Hebron; an epileptic violinist opts for surgery, 7 p.m. (2).

Specials and Movies: “The Magic School Bus Family Holiday Special” airs Sunday at 7:30 a.m. on KCET.

Al Pacino won an Oscar for 1992’s “Scent of a Woman,” Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC (Channel 7).

Sports: Pro Football: Colts at Steelers, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. (4)(36); Eagles at 49ers, Sunday, 1 p.m. (11). . . . Basketball: 76ers at Lakers, Sunday, 6:30 p.m. FSW.