NFL Playoff Schedule 2015: Dates, Start Times, Live Stream Info and Bracket

The NFL playoff picture came into Week 17 with next to nothing decided in its entirety. The NFC North, NFC South and AFC North were due for head-to-head clashes to determine their champion, and the AFC's wild-card picture was shrouded in a cloud of uncertainty. Even teams that had already clinched their divisions were left jockeying for seeding position, as home-field advantage and first-round byes were up in the air. 

Sunday's slate of games provided the answers to take us into January.

The New England Patriots locked down their first No. 1 seed since their 2012 Super Bowl run last week, the Baltimore Ravens slid into the final wild-card spot and the Dallas Cowboys capped off their best season in more than a half-decade.

All told, almost every potential playoff team came into Sunday needing wins to solidify their status. The Patriots had a head-to-head advantage over Denver for the AFC's top seed and clinched when the Broncos lost to Cincinnati Monday. The Indianapolis Colts and their AFC North foes were left battling between the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds. Cincinnati actually had a chance at a first-round bye with a win over Pittsburgh and a Denver loss. 

In the NFC, only one division had been settled (NFC East). The only other thing we knew was that the NFC South winner would absolutely, for certain, without a thread of chance of anything else in the world happening, get the No. 4 seed.

With that in mind, let's take a look at how things transpired Sunday and look in on how the playoff brackets shook out.

Date	Time	Matchup	Watch	Stream
Saturday, Jan. 3	4:35 p.m. ET	Arizona at Carolina	ESPN	Watch ESPN
Saturday, Jan. 3	8:15 p.m. ET	Baltimore at Pittsburgh	NBC	NBC Sports Live Extra
Sunday, Jan. 4	1:05 p.m. ET	Cincinnati at Indianapolis	CBS	CBSSports.com
Sunday, Jan. 4	4:40 p.m. ET	Detroit at Dallas	FOX	Fox Sports Go

Baltimore Becomes AFC's Final Playoff Team, Wins Wild Card

Gail Burton/Associated Press

Last season, the Chargers needed a convoluted series of bungles from other teams to sneak into the playoffs. This season, they were the ones in control. It turns out Philip Rivers and Co. much prefer playing from behind.

With a 19-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, the Chargers for the second straight season set off a scoreboard-watching bonanza. The San Diego defense allowed backup Chase Daniel, in for an injured Alex Smith, to throw for 153 yards and struggled mightily against the Kansas City pass rush. Justin Houston's four sacks gave him 22 on the season, making him the 10th player in NFL history to have 20 sacks in a single campaign. (J.J. Watt later Sunday had his second 20-sack season, making him the first such player in league history.)

As the Chiefs were finishing off their win, they were scoreboard-watching and crossing their fingers they'd be this year's San Diego. Kansas City needed a win and losses from Baltimore and Houston to earn the No. 6 seed.

Unfortunately, luck was not on the side of the AFC West.

Gail Burton/Associated Press

The Baltimore Ravens overcame a sluggish three quarters of football to score the final 17 points in their 20-10 win over the Cleveland Browns to take the No. 6 seed. Joe Flacco threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns, both coming in the fourth quarter. Steve Smith's 90 yards receiving gave him his eighth 1,000-yard season of his career.

Baltimore in particular took advantage of a depleted Cleveland offense. The Browns were forced to start third-string quarterback Connor Shaw due to injuries to Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer. Making matters worse, wideout Josh Gordon was suspended for Sunday's finale due to a violation of team rules.

The Ravens will face the AFC's No. 3 seed next weekend, very likely an interdivisional opponent. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh would need to tie in order for the Indianapolis Colts, victorious Sunday against the Titans, to slide into the third seed.

Packers Take NFC North Despite Rodgers Injury

Morry Gash/Associated Press

For a brief moment, it appeared the Packers weren't only going to be losing the NFC North on Sunday. An aggravation of his bothersome calf strain sent Aaron Rodgers sprawling to the ground in pain right before halftime in Sunday's division-deciding game against the Lions. Carted off the field, there had to have been some fear Rodgers' season could be in jeopardy.

He returned midway through the third quarter, accounting for two second-half touchdowns in the Packers' 30-20 win over Detroit. The MVP candidate threw for 226 yards and two scores, completing 17 of his 22 passes and adding a one-yard touchdown run to his total.

Before Rodgers' return, the Packers appeared to be losing control. Detroit immediately scored 14 points during his absence, taking a 14-0 lead and turning it into a whole new ballgame. But Rodgers' return immediately changed the momentum, as he led Green Bay to scoring opportunities on his first three drives. 

The Packers' win extends their streak at home against Detroit to 24 games, dating back to 1993. It also clinches their fourth straight division championship and sixth consecutive playoff berth. 

As the No. 6 seed, the Lions are forced to travel to a red-hot Dallas team. The Cowboys went undefeated in December and held leads of at least three touchdowns in each contest. The two franchises have combined for one playoff win in the last decade and a half, so at least something will have to give next week.

Panthers Take NFC South

John Bazemore/Associated Press

If Sunday is indeed Mike Smith's final day as Falcons coach, well, he went out with a thud. The Panthers led from start to finish in their 34-3 systematic thumping of Atlanta on Sunday to take the NFC South crown.

Carolina rushed for 194 yards and Cam Newton threw the ball only 16 times as Atlanta's front seven folded. Newton had a five-yard touchdown pass to Ed Dickson and scampered in from five yards out to account for the Panthers' two offensive touchdowns. 

Rejuvenated following their midseason struggles, the Panthers defense sacked Matt Ryan six times and took both of his interceptions back for touchdowns. Roman Harper scampered in from 31 yards out and Tre Boston broke loose for an 84 yarder.

The Panthers' victory earns them the NFC's No. 4 seed and the right to host fifth-seeded Arizona next week. The Cardinals have dropped two straight games and four of their last six. Ryan Lindley will likely be under center for Bruce Arians, which has gone miserably just about every time that's happened. As baffling as it sounds, the below-.500 Panthers may be favorites heading into their playoff game. Amazing.

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