NFL Playoff Schedule 2014-15: Viewing Info and Breakdown of Wild Card Matchups

A wild season in the NFL has finally given way to the most exciting time of the year for football fans. The NFL playoffs are here, folks, and each matchup promises to be an intriguing one.

The Seattle Seahawks got off to an interesting start this season at 3-3 after winning the Super Bowl last year. Since that point, the Seahawks have lost just one game and head into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

On the other side, the New England Patriots got off to a similar start and were smacked in the mouth by the Kansas City Chiefs. New England has been on a nearly identical run, moving to 12-4 and taking the AFC's top spot.

Neither team will play in the first weekend of the playoffs, but here's a look at the complete schedule and breakdown of the Wild Card Round matchups.

Date	Time	Matchup	TV	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

Breakdown of Wild Card Round

It has not been a pretty season for the Carolina Panthers, but the NFC South champions will host a playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals. With the way both teams have finished the regular season, it might be a game that swings in the favor of Carolina.

The Panthers rattled off four straight wins after a 3-8-1 start to simply make the postseason and demolished the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. ESPN Stats & Info provides a look at that game and what it meant for the franchise:

Going against a Cardinals team that is on its third quarterback this season, the Panthers will simply need to get the offense going with Cam Newton. Arizona has failed to score 20 points in the last seven games—Carolina has more than 30 points twice in the last four.

The nightcap on Saturday will feature AFC North rivals Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh may have won the division with a convincing win over the Cincinnati Bengals but might be hobbled heading into the playoffs.

Leading rusher Le'Veon Bell suffered a knee injury in Week 17, but there was no ligament damage on the play, via Adam Schefter and Scott Brown of ESPN.com. Though his status for Saturday is still up in the air, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com notes an early take from a Steelers source:

A lot will hinge on Bell's health, as he scored a touchdown against the Ravens in their last matchup. Equipped with a plethora of dynamic receivers like Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger will still make this matchup a thrilling one against the Ravens.

The first matchup on Sunday features another AFC North franchise when the Bengals travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. Andrew Luck is coming off a historic season in his third year with Indianapolis, as Gil Brandt of NFL.com notes:

Numbers look great for Luck, but many of those came against weak defenses like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans. During his career, Luck has six touchdowns to eight interceptions in the playoffs. Cincinnati excelled in turnovers with 20 interceptions this season, good enough for third in the NFL.

Down in Dallas, the Cowboys will host their first postseason game since 2009 against the Detroit Lions. That also marked the last time the 'Boys captured the NFC East and made the playoffs at all.

Going into a tough matchup with Dallas, the Lions will be without one of their biggest stars on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh has been suspended one game for his actions against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17, via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com:

A record-setting season for the likes of DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant proves the Cowboys are already firing on all cylinders heading into the matchup. Given more time in the pocket with Suh out, Tony Romo will have a chance to pick apart the stout Detroit defense.

Needless to say, the first weekend is packed with a wealth of great matchups in both the NFC and AFC. Every team is looking to clinch a spot against one of the franchises currently on a bye, so gaining momentum will be crucial during Wild Card Weekend.

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