NFL Playoff Schedule 2015: Viewing Information and Wild-Card Bracket Picks

The new year has officially arrived, and that means the NFL playoffs are a mere days away.

While this year's wild-card contenders prepare for their impending contests, it's safe to assume some New Year's resolutions were involved. Did the Baltimore Ravens promise to get Justin Forsett more involved? Did the Arizona Cardinals promise to put Ryan Lindley in better passing situations? Questions like these will be answered in short order.

As we impatiently await the return of these playoff squads to the gridiron, let's take a look at the updated viewing information for the playoffs, followed by bracket picks for the Wild Card Round.

Playoff Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup	TV Info
Wild Card Round
Sat., Jan. 3	4:35 p.m.	Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers	ESPN
Sat., Jan. 3	8:15 p.m.	Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers	NBC
Sun., Jan. 4	1:05 p.m.	Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts	CBS
Sun., Jan. 4	4:40 p.m.	Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys	Fox
Divisional Round
Sat., Jan. 10	4:35 p.m.	BAL/CIN/IND at New England Patriots	NBC
Sat., Jan. 10	8:15 p.m.	DET/ARI/CAR at Seattle Seahawks	Fox
Sun., Jan. 11	1:05 p.m.	DAL/CAR/ARI at Green Bay Packers	Fox
Sun., Jan. 11	4:40 p.m.	CIN/PIT/IND at Denver Broncos	CBS
Conference Championship
Sun., Jan. 18	3:05 p.m.	NFC Championship Game	Fox
Sun., Jan. 18	6:40 p.m.	AFC Championship Game	CBS
Super Bowl
Sun., Feb. 1	6:30 p.m.	Super Bowl XLIX	NBC

Wild-Card Predictions

Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers

Regardless of which quarterback winds up starting for the Cardinals on Saturday, one thing is certain: If head coach Bruce Arians can't find a way to establish some kind of balance on the offensive side of the ball, this team won't stand a chance against a very talented Carolina defense.

So far, things don't look good for Drew Stanton, via this tweet from Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com:

In Week 17, despite remaining in a close game with the San Francisco 49ers, the Cardinals allowed Lindley to attempt 39 passes while running the ball just 25 times. This team needs a stronger commitment to the run to help open things up for a mediocre signal-caller.

After all, the Panthers have been phenomenal on defense of late. Over their past four games, they didn't allow more than 17 points in any contest, and they capped off the season by holding Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons to just three points in a division-winning effort.

Ranked 11th against the pass, 16th against the run and 10th in total defense, Carolina made some significant strides following an unspectacular start to the regular season. This team is firing on all cylinders right now, and if Arizona can't make appropriate adjustments, the Panthers will take the win.

Prediction: Panthers 24, Cardinals 17

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

The big question surrounding this clash of AFC North foes is the status of Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell. The second-year ball-carrier has been the catalyst for the team's offensive success this season due to his well-rounded skill set and ability to contribute as a runner, receiver and in pass protection.

Bell hyperextended his knee in Week 17, and his status for this contest is still murky; however, there was a bit of good news to surface on Wednesday, via Pro Football Talk:

If Bell can play, Pittsburgh would get a major boost; however, if he can't go, it will be a major blow to the offense.

Things won't get any easier for the Steelers on Saturday, as the Ravens are now equipped with the dangerous Haloti Ngata following his return from suspension. A force along the defensive line, he is no stranger to wreaking havoc in opposing backfields, which is something Baltimore's battered secondary could really use.

The Ravens must rely on their star running back on the offensive side of the ball to help keep pressure off quarterback Joe Flacco and to open up passing lanes. Forsett has been a revelation this season for Baltimore, but his usage has been sporadic. The Ravens need to get him involved early and often.

Considering how things have been panning out for both teams of late, Baltimore has the slight advantage despite having to play in a hostile environment.

Prediction: Ravens 24, Steelers 20

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts

Cincinnati travels to Indianapolis in an attempt to win its first playoff game in 24 years. Although, one big injury looms large over the Bengals' hopes of accomplishing that feat, as ESPN.com's Coley Harvey reported All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Green is still battling concussion symptoms:

If the Bengals are without Green, they'll be missing their most prolific player; however, that won't be a death sentence for this season, as they've relied on a run-heavy approach of late.

Rookie running back Jeremy Hill has been stellar for the Bengals, racking up 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry despite seeing limited usage in the early portion of the season. He closed out the year with three consecutive 100-yard performances and is now set to face a Colts run defense that ranks 18th in the league.

As for Indianapolis, it must show better chemistry on the offensive side of the ball. Players haven't been on the same page of late, and the Colts have seen a spike in turnovers. This prompted the team's veterans to call a players-only meeting before facing the Tennessee Titans in Week 17.

While the meeting may have helped the team to a 27-10 victory over the Titans, Indianapolis isn't entering the playoffs as the dangerous, high-octane team it was earlier in the year. A well-rounded Bengals squad will squeeze out a close road win here.

Prediction: Bengals 30, Colts 27

Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys

Uncertainty surrounded the Lions entering this contest, as star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was suspended for the game after apparently intentionally stepping on the injured leg of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 17.

Well, Suh appealed, and he won. He may have to pay out $70,000 in fines, but he won't miss this pivotal game, according to NFL on ESPN:

Having Suh in the fold will be huge for the Lions. This team accumulated 42 sacks during the regular season, and having this talented defensive tackle in the middle of a dangerous front seven was a big part of Detroit's success.

Although, the Cowboys may be the league's most dangerous team on the offensive side of the ball right now. Ever since Dallas decided to run the ball more frequently, some very good things have happened. DeMarco Murray became the NFL's rushing leader, Tony Romo had the most efficient season of his career and so did Dez Bryant as a result.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys have been great against the run, ranking eighth in the league in that category. If they can force Matthew Stafford into throwing too often, they'll have a big upper hand, as Stafford has struggled with his consistency and chemistry with All-Pro receiver Calvin Johnson.

Prediction: Cowboys 24, Lions 20