Jared Allen has said that the Minnesota Vikings must make the most of their playoff opportunity.

The Vikings are in the post-season for the first time since 2009, when they reached the NFC Championship game.

The defensive end told the Vikings' website: "I thought I was going to the Super Bowl, then that got ripped away from us. So, bad memories I guess, because we lost, but still it's fun, that will always be a game that I cherish.

"It helps you realise how important this opportunity is. I think that is what we have been trying to convey to the guys that haven't been to the playoffs, the young guys on the team, is that this opportunity doesn't come around often.

"The cool thing about the playoffs is that once you get in anything can happen. You see it happen all of the time, teams make runs and end up winning the Super Bowl."

The Vikings sealed their place in the playoffs with a win over the Green Bay Packers last weekend, and they face the Packers again this evening in the wildcard round of the playoffs.