NFL Playoff Picks 2015: Latest Odds and Predictions for Divisional Round

It's now down to just eight. Only two more weekends of playoff football remain between now and the Super Bowl, meaning the odds are slowly improving for each remaining team.

In the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens' road win means they will be facing the No. 1-seeded New England Patriots in Foxborough. Out west, Peyton Manning will match up with the Indianapolis Colts for the first time in the playoffs with the Denver Broncos.

Both the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers are looking to continue their improbable runs in the divisional round, as well. Going up against the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, respectively, the environments will not be easy for an upset victory.

Below is a look at the updated odds and predictions for the divisional round of the playoffs.

Visitor	Home	Spread	Pick
Baltimore Ravens	New England Patriots	NE -7	Patriots
Indianapolis Colts	Denver Broncos	DEN -7	Colts
Carolina Panthers	Seattle Seahawks	SEA -11	Seahawks
Dallas Cowboys	Green Bay Packers	GB -6.5	Packers

Predictions Breakdown

No discussion about this weekend's upcoming games can start without bringing up the showdown taking place in Denver. Andrew Luck facing his predecessor means the storylines will be intriguing all week leading up to the game.

Despite losing the opening game to the Broncos this season, Luck has put together his best season in the NFL thus far. In fact, he eclipsed one of Manning's team records with the Colts this year, via Gil Brandt of NFL.com:

A lot has changed since the Colts decided to part ways with Manning, but it appears both sides have moved on. Now all that stands in Luck's way of appearing in his first AFC Championship Game is finally stealing the torch away from Manning.

The first meeting saw Luck finish with 370 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He's not always able to cut down on his mistakes, but Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports still believes he's doing special things no other quarterback is capable of:

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There are plenty of good quarterbacks who can’t make the throw Luck did to Moncrief. Not too many have the athleticism, arm strength, vision and feel for the game to pull that off. It was right on target. It was an incredible play that he made look relatively easy. Luck isn’t the best quarterback in the league yet, at the end of his third season. But he does things that suspend belief.

"

By the end of the matchup, it will be Luck finally helping to put the past behind Indy to advance. Given his great play late in games, expect Indy to make the AFC title game for the first time without Manning.

The one pick I've waffled over early on is the Ravens and Patriots. Both have impressive teams, but the Ravens' quarterback has been as consistent as they come recently in the playoffs. NFL on CBS provides a look at Joe Flacco's last five playoff games:

Still, going against a New England team at full strength means Flacco will have to be flawless. Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman are rolling and will reach the AFC Championship Game for a second straight season.

The Seahawks will play at home in the second week, a place they are more than comfortable after cruising in last year's postseason. Unless Cam Newton can carry the entire team on his ailing back, this game looks like it will be a blowout win for Seattle.

Outside of Seattle, the other NFC battle will take place when Dallas travels to Green Bay. Though Lambeau Field is typically a pretty difficult place to play, the Cowboys have been road warriors all season, as Gil Brandt of NFL.com notes:

However, going up against a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers with the repertoire he has at his disposal will likely be their toughest matchup yet. After choosing the Packers to go to the Super Bowl, this will be one test they have to pass to eventually win the NFC.

Let's just say this weekend has plenty of reasons for bettors to get excited about the divisional round. Regardless of how the weekend shapes up, the two championship games promise to have plenty of teams with playoff experience.

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