NFL Playoffs 2014-15: Predictions and Odds for Every Wild-Card Team

Wild Card Weekend comes equipped with many compelling narratives sure to captivate the nation.

On Saturday, we'll receive answers to these questions: Can the surging Carolina Panthers defeat the slumping Arizona Cardinals and win a playoff game despite a sub-.500 regular-season record? What will come of a third meeting between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, heated AFC North foes?

Sunday will bring closure to these inquiries: Will the Cincinnati Bengals win their first playoff game since 1991 by defeating an Indianapolis Colts team that shut them out earlier this season? Will the Dallas Cowboys' DeMarco Murray, the NFL's rushing leader, find his way around the Detroit Lions' top-ranked run defense?

This is what playoff football is all about.

Before these eight teams take the gridiron once again, let's first glance at the updated odds and project a winner for each contest.

Updated Odds

Home	Away	Spread	Pick
Carolina Panthers	Arizona Cardinals	CAR -6	Panthers
Pittsburgh Steelers	Baltimore Ravens	PIT -3	Ravens
Indianapolis Colts	Cincinnati Bengals	IND -4	Bengals
Dallas Cowboys	Detroit Lions	DAL -7	Cowboys

All game odds courtesy of Odds Shark and current as of December 29.

Predictions

Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers

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The Panthers finished the season with a 7-8-1 record and squeezed into the playoffs due to a weak division; however, this is a very hot team right now, and it shouldn't be taken lightly.

Carolina made the playoffs in 2013 due to owning one of the NFL's most elite defenses. That unit took quite some time to return to form this season, but it finally managed to get going over the last four games of the season, limiting each opponent to 17 points or fewer. Holding a surging Atlanta Falcons offense to a mere three points in Week 17 was simply phenomenal.

On the other hand, we have an Arizona offense that can't get out of its own way. Ryan Lindley has terrible accuracy issues and has completed just 48.4 percent of his passes while throwing two touchdowns and four interceptions this season. That's not a good omen, as this team is about to face Carolina's 11th-ranked pass defense.

There's no way to sugarcoat this: The Cardinals don't have a chance of keeping up with Cam Newton and Co.

Prediction: Panthers 27, Cardinals 17

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

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This AFC North slugfest should be wildly captivating. When the Steelers and Ravens meet, there usually aren't many friendly exchanges. This contest marks the third meeting between these two teams this season, and the series is currently tied at 1-1 after each won its respective home game by a 20-point margin.

Pittsburgh's prolific offense has been lighting up opponents of late, putting up at least 27 points in five of its last six games. Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown have lit it up through the air, but running back Le'Veon Bell has been the team's catalyst. Bell was injured in Week 17, and unfortunately, he may not play Saturday, according to Around the NFL:

If Bell misses the game, the Ravens will be able to focus more on pressuring Roethlisberger and taking away his passing lanes. Baltimore has been a great pass-rushing team this season, accumulating 49 sacks, and it should be able to slow down a one-dimensional Steelers offense.

This is all contingent on the ultimate status of Bell, but it doesn't look good at the moment for the Steelers.

Prediction: Ravens 24, Steelers 23

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts

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When these teams last met in Week 7, the Bengals offense was completely hapless and the Colts went on to win 27-0, handing Cincinnati one of its worst losses of the season. However, there have been plenty of changes for both teams since that game took place.

The Bengals are now utilizing a run-heavy offense featuring rookie ball-carrier Jeremy Hill. He's been lighting up opposing defenses since the team increased his production and has eclipsed the 100-yard mark five times over the second half of the season. He has a very favorable matchup forthcoming against the Colts' 18th-ranked run defense.

Indianapolis has seen its offensive production dip in recent weeks, most notably during a 42-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16.

For a four-week stretch beginning in Week 13, the Colts had major ball-security issues, accumulating 12 giveaways in that span. If those mishaps continue, this team will have a difficult time finding a rhythm while Hill and Co. control the pace of the game and keep Andrew Luck on the sidelines.

This contest matches up nicely for the Bengals, and it's likely they nab their first postseason win in 24 years.

Prediction: Bengals 30, Colts 26

Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys

This is an extremely intriguing matchup. Murray claimed the NFL rushing title with a total of 1,845 yards, adding 13 touchdowns and averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Although, he'll be severely tested against a Detroit run defense that ranks first in the league and allows an average of just 69.3 yards per game.

Dallas has been one of the league's most efficient offenses this season since adjusting to a run-oriented scheme. Tony Romo's production went through the roof, as his 34 touchdown passes were his highest since 2007 and his 113.2 passer rating marked a career high. This versatile offense is more than capable of challenging a very good Lions defense.

As for the Lions defense, it will be without a key player for this matchup, as defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was suspended for intentionally stepping on the leg of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 17, according to ESPN's Adam Caplan:

Without Suh in the fold, Detroit's pass rush and run defense take severe hits. This will lead to difficulty stopping Dallas' prolific attack, and considering the inconsistency of Detroit's offense of late, it's tough to see a scenario in which it keeps up.

Prediction: Cowboys 27, Lions 20