NFL Playoff Bracket 2015: Complete Guide to Wild Card Sunday
It's all about perspective.
A playoff berth is a boon to just about any franchise except the few for whom making the postseason is a given, causing their aspirations to be higher. For the four teams competing on Wild Card Sunday, though, their various perspectives could not be any different from one another—yet they hold one major goal in common.
The Indianapolis Colts enter the playoffs a clear step below the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots in the AFC but a clear step (or three) above every other team in the conference. There's still a slight underpinning of post-Peyton Manning rebuilding in Indianapolis. However, it's clear that the franchise has plenty of bright days in its future with Andrew Luck under center...but can it stay patient?
The Cincinnati Bengals make the playoffs every year as of late; they just don't do anything once they get there. The perspective of consistently making the postseason yet knowing the next playoff loss can set up a chain reaction of firings and roster turnover puts pressure on head coach Marvin Lewis and quarterback Andy Dalton.
Then again, the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions are just happy to get to the big dance after years of mediocrity for the former and much worse for the latter. Both lay claim to being one of the best teams in football this year, yet both clearly have their pock marks. The Cowboys also bring the added perspective of a storied history that is finally being dusted off after years of lying dormant.
All of these teams have made postseason berths their goal this season, but two squads will emerge from the weekend with greater goals ahead.
The Starting Lineup
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Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts (1:05 p.m. ET on CBS)
- Chris Simms and Stephen Nelson on X-Factors for Bengals/Colts
- Full Bengals/Colts Preview from Simms and Nelson
- Bengals Preview from Featured Columnist Chris Roling
- Full Colts Preview from Featured Columnist Tyler Brooke
Can the Bengals finally do it?
This game seems like a given for the Colts, who have been both better and far more consistent than the Bengals this season. Yet, what we know about the Bengals—time and again—is that they have the talent to beat just about anyone as long as they don't shoot themselves in the foot.
Under bright lights (playoff games, must-win, prime time, etc), the Bengals tend to wilt far more than they thrive. They have the talent, but the Colts aren't a pushover, nor are they a shrinking violet.
Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys (4:40 p.m. ET on Fox)
- Simms and Nelson on X-Factors for Lions/Cowboys
- Full Lions/Cowboys Preview from Simms and Nelson
- Lions Preview from Featured Columnist Brandon Alisoglu
- Cowboys Preview from Featured Columnist John Owning
Much has been made (and rightfully so) about the Lions' rushing defense against the Cowboys' rushing attack. Both units are the cream of the crop at those specializations among their NFL peers. Yet, the bigger question mark here is the Lions' tackling. The Green Bay Packers' Eddie Lacy rumbled through the Lions front in Week 17, and Dallas' DeMarco Murray is one of the best backs in the league at making defenders miss.
When the Lions have the ball, all bets are off. As maligned as the Dallas defense was prior to the season, it's been average and has come up big in spots this year. The Lions offense was supposed to be ridiculously explosive, but that never really happened as it's sputtered like a Ferrari chassis with a Yugo engine.
The winner of this game will be the team that can not only win in the trenches but can keep from being its own worst enemy.
Second-Screen Swag
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Biggest Questions
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How Does Andy Dalton Bounce Back from Week 17?
The Bengals won a prime-time game in Week 16 (against the Denver Broncos, no less), but Dalton wasn't a huge factor in that victory. The defense played well against Peyton Manning, and running back Jeremy Hill was fantastic. Then, in Week 17, the Bengals needed Dalton to win a ballgame for them, and he flopped, throwing two interceptions.
Dalton is an underrated athlete and has all of the tools to be a good NFL passer. He's also immensely likable and is loved by the staff and his teammates in Cincinnati. Yet another playoff loss (especially a turnover-laden one) would create a lot of issues for him and put his future as the Bengals' starting QB into question.
Can the Colts Running Game Put the Contest Away?
The Colts ask Andrew Luck to do far too much. He's one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and clearly the heir apparent to the Tom Brady/Manning debates of yore. Yet he's also good for one or two head-scratching throws a game—he is still only 25 after all.
The Colts could eliminate the possibility of those happening late if they had a better run game, but lack of talent on the line and at the running back position means that the Colts will need to throw late—even with a lead. That could allow the Bengals to sneak back in.
Which Matthew Stafford Shows Up?
While there's much that could be said about the Lions running game and their offensive line consistency this season, much of their offensive woes can be laid at the feet of the guy running the show. Stafford, for all of the millions he commands as a former first-overall pick, has not been the guy this season for Detroit, even though the system and receiving talent around him have allowed him to surpass 4,000 yards again.
His QBR is 20th in the league (55.1)—just below Dalton (55.2) and right above Bears QB Jay Cutler (54.0).
Can Tony Romo Quiet His Critics Once and for All?
Romo will always have boo birds that ignore his (many) accomplishments and call to mind only his embarrassing gaffes over the years—most of which have become like tall tales that only grow bigger over time.
Yet, a playoff win (or a couple of them) or even a fantastic game in defeat that isn't really his fault following a near-MVP-caliber season should keep a lot of those critics quiet who have been looking to blame him (and him alone) for the Cowboys' failures for far too long.
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Important Matchups
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Reggie Wayne (WR Colts) vs. Leon Hall (CB Bengals)
Wayne and Hall have both underachieved a bit this season but have manned the slot for their respective teams and units. This matchup is about a couple of wily veterans who succeed in a lot of games by being smarter and more polished than their opponent, but who will not be getting that advantage in this contest.
If Wayne gets the best of Hall, it will allow Andrew Luck to get the ball out quickly and open up plenty for T.Y. Hilton on the outside. If Hall wins, it will force Luck to hold the ball for an extra beat, which could be a sack with that Bengals front.
Jeremy Hill (RB Bengals) vs. Colts Rushing Defense
Hill has been a revelation late in the season for the Bengals. He's taken over the lead running back spot from Gio Bernard, who's been relegated to a little-used weapon in the flow of the game because Hill's bruising style and penchant for extending little gains into long touchdowns has handed the Bengals wins they could not have gotten otherwise.
The Colts, meanwhile, allowed 4.3 rushing yards per attempt this season (tied for 15th in the league). If they can't keep Hill (and Bernard) from rumbling four to five yards per clip, the Bengals will consistently be in good third-down situations, and the Colts pass rush will lose its teeth.
Tony Romo vs. Detroit Lions Pass Rush
Bleacher Report's Matt Bowen took a look at Romo and tight end Jason Witten on video, but please allow more of a football laymen's take on the aspect of the matchup that I'm interested in. The Lions love to get pressure with only four and allow the back seven to play tighter coverages.
Romo has the ability to thrive against pressure, but Pro Football Focus has noted (subscription required) that pressures turn into sacks for Romo more often than most NFL quarterbacks. The Cowboys offensive line has kept Romo upright this season, but if the Lions front can get through, it could spell doom for Romo, who needs a clean pocket to succeed.
Notable Injuries
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Nick Fairley (DT Lions)—Doubtful, Knee
The Lions entered the week thinking they wouldn't have either Ndamukong Suh, who was facing suspension, or Fairley, who has spent much of the season on the injured list. Now, Suh is back and Fairley may play as he has started practicing.
He's unlikely to actually go unless the Lions win and have a game in a week, but if he's able to even play a handful of snaps and bolster the Lions' pass-rushing rotation, it could be enough to turn the tables in this game.
Henry Melton (DT Cowboys)—Out, Knee
The Lions aren't a formidable rushing team, but Melton's absence could change that in this game. He's also a good pass-rusher on the interior, which would've made life a lot more difficult for Stafford.
A.J. Green (WR Bengals)—Doubtful, Concussion
Jermaine Gresham (TE Bengals)—Questionable, Back
We'll take these together as there's a chance either or both are gone for the first-round game. If that happens, it's difficult to imagine there being a second-round game for the Bengals. So much has been said (here and elsewhere) about Andy Dalton, but it wouldn't be his fault if the Bengals are forced to play without two of his best passing weapons.
Other Notable Injuries:
Reggie Wayne (WR Colts)—Probable, Groin
Tony Romo (QB Cowboys)—Probable, Back
Calvin Johnson (WR Lions)—Probable, Ankle
Bleacher Report Expert Predictions
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Michael Schottey is an NFL National Lead Writer for Bleacher Report and an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Find more of his stuff on his archive page and follow him on Twitter.
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