NFL Playoff Picture 2015: Updated Title Odds and Most Compelling Scenarios

There is no shortage of storylines in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. 

Peyton Manning against his former team. Joe Flacco, in the midst of an unbelievable run of success in the playoffs, looking for his third postseason win at Gillette Stadium, where few others have been successful. The Dallas Cowboys vs. the Green Bay Packers in an offensive slugfest. 

But it's never too early to keep an eye forward. Let's take an early look at some potentially intriguing matchups in the conference championships. 

NFL Playoff Picture and Schedule

AFC Matchup	Date	Time (ET)	TV
NFC Matchup	Date	Time (ET)	TV
Baltimore at New England	Sat, Jan. 10	4:35 p.m.	NBC
Indianapolis at Denver	Sun, Jan. 11	4:40 p.m.	CBS
Carolina at Seattle	Sat, Jan. 10	8:15 p.m.	Fox
Dallas at Green Bay	Sun, Jan. 11	1:05 p.m.	Fox

Updated Title Odds

Team	Odds
Seattle Seahawks	2-1
New England Patriots	10-3
Green Bay Packers	11-2
Denver Broncos	6-1
Dallas Cowboys	7-1
Baltimore Ravens	18-1
Indianapolis Colts	18-1
Carolina Panthers	25-1

Note: Odds courtesy of Odds Shark.

Top AFC Championship Scenario

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

It wouldn't be terrible to see Andrew Luck continue his progression in the AFC Championship Game, but I'm going with the obvious here: Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady. 

The future Hall of Fame quarterbacks have shown moments of being mortals this season. Brady was well below average during the first month of the season, while Manning threw a combined six interceptions in the Denver Broncos' last four games. 

Still, this is Manning vs. Brady. The two best quarterbacks of their generation, they have combined for four Super Bowls, seven MVP awards and too many passing yards and touchdowns for me to do the math. ESPN attempted to put their standing in history in perspective:

Every time they square off—this particular matchup would be No. 17 overall and the fourth meeting in the AFC Championship Game—the allure is obvious. Some may get bored with the Manning vs. Brady hype, but when you can see two of the greatest quarterbacks ever on the same field, in this kind of setting, it's an important piece of NFL history. 

That said, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs intends on disappointing fans, via The Boston Globe's Ben Volin:

The Ravens, who seem to have a knack for heightening their level of play in the postseason, would be an entertaining matchup against either the Broncos or Indianapolis Colts. But it doesn't get better than Manning and Brady, forever linked together, for a spot in the Super Bowl. 

Top NFC Championship Scenario

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

On one side, it's pretty clear. Most unbiased (and sane) fans would rather see the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, who are playing at an impossibly high level, than the Carolina Panthers, who won seven games in the regular season.

But whom do we want to see the 'Hawks face?

Either way, it would be a regular-season rematch. Seattle shut down Aaron Rodgers for a 36-16 win against the Packers in Week 1 but struggled to contain DeMarco Murray and lost to the Cowboys in its only home defeat of the season. 

We want strength against strength, and that means hoping for the team most likely to have success against a Seattle defense that has allowed 33 points in its last six games. While Tony Romo is playing some unbelievable football right now, Rodgers is the best QB in the league. He leads the NFL in adjusted yards per attempt (9.5), owns a ludicrous 38-5 ratio of touchdowns to interceptions and can make throws no one else on the planet can make. 

Rodgers struggled last time against the Seahawks, receiving a lot of flak for completely avoiding Richard Sherman's side of the field. But you just can't trust anyone in this kind of pressure-filled spot.

If we're looking for the best against the best, it's Rodgers, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb vs. the Legion of Boom, Seattle's explosive secondary.