NFL Playoff Bracket 2015: Updated Postseason Picture, Divisional Round Scenarios

There are only eight teams remaining in the 2015 NFL playoffs, and all they need is two more wins to earn a trip to Super Bowl XLIX.

Following the conclusion of Wild Card Weekend, the Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions were sent packing. Members of those teams will have the privilege of watching the Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys take on the four bye-week teams in the divisional round from the comfort of their own homes.

So, with the next round of the playoffs set to cut the field in half, we come to this burning question: Which four teams are most likely to get the ax this time? While we await the answer to that inquiry, let's take a look at the updated playoff picture and divisional round scenarios for each team that's still alive and kicking.

Updated Postseason Picture

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup	TV
Saturday, Jan. 10	4:35 p.m.	Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots	NBC
Saturday, Jan. 10	8:15 p.m.	Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks	Fox
Sunday, Jan. 11	1:05 p.m.	Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers	Fox
Sunday, Jan. 11	4:40 p.m.	Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos	CBS

Divisional-Round Scenarios

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

The Patriots will meet a familiar foe in the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round. The last time these teams met in the postseason was in 2012 in Foxborough, and the Ravens emerged victorious and went on to win Super Bowl XLVII. However, this time around, Baltimore will be facing one of the most well-rounded Patriots teams we've seen in recent years.

If New England is able to defeat the Ravens, the team will utilize home-field advantage to its fullest and host either the Denver Broncos or Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game. Earning the No. 1 seed in the NFL playoffs certainly has its perks.

However, Baltimore does have a fair chance of coming through in the clutch once again. Joe Flacco has been an enigmatic quarterback throughout his career; however, he continues to light it up in the playoffs and is coming off a two-touchdown performance against the Steelers. The team sure appears ready for New England:

If the Ravens manage to knock off the Patriots, they won't be rewarded with a trip back to Baltimore. Since they are the lowest AFC seed remaining, the Ravens will have to travel to either Denver or Indianapolis for the AFC Championship Game.

Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks started a little sluggishly in 2014, but they were able to right the ship in a big way down the season's final stretch. The team's defense came alive, holding opponents to seven points or fewer in five of its last six games to end the year with plenty of momentum. Seattle appears to be eagerly awaiting its upcoming opponent:

If Seattle continues to ride that wave of momentum during the divisional round, home-field advantage throughout the playoffs will still be in full effect for this team that is so very dangerous to play on its own turf. The Seahawks will stay at CenturyLink Field to host either the Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game.

As for the Panthers, they don't have too shabby of a defense, either. Carolina's defense has managed to hold opposing offenses to 17 points or fewer in five consecutive games and less than 300 yards of offense in four consecutive contests. That streak includes a very decisive wild-card win over the Cardinals in which the Panthers set a new postseason record for fewest yards allowed in a single game.

Cam Newton and Co. will certainly have their work cut out to defeat the reigning Super Bowl champions; however, if they are able to defeat the Seahawks, they will then have to travel to either Dallas or Green Bay for the NFC Championship Game. Even though Carolina is a division winner, both wild-card teams were already knocked out, making the Panthers the NFC's lowest remaining seed.

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers

The Packers earned a first-round bye following a big win over the Lions in their regular-season finale despite an injured Aaron Rodgers at the helm. Green Bay really needed that victory, as it gave its franchise quarterback the appropriate time to rest his injured calf before returning to the gridiron. The Packers will need him fully healed to defeat a red-hot Cowboys team.

If Green Bay's potent offense can outscore Dallas, it will advance to the NFC Championship Game; however, the team's destination will be determined by its opponent. A win by the Seahawks makes the Packers march to Seattle, but a win by the Panthers affords Rodgers and Co. the opportunity to play at Lambeau Field one more time.

Dallas proved it is a team to be reckoned with on Sunday night, defeating the Lions 24-20. The combination of Tony Romo and DeMarco Murray continues to be a brutal one-two punch for opposing defenses—even Detroit's sturdy squad struggled to contain them. Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com tweeted an interesting statistic for the upcoming contest:

We should be expecting an all-out offensive extravaganza when Dallas meets Green Bay, and if Romo can outduel Rodgers, the Cowboys will be in the same scenario as Green Bay: A Seahawks win sends them to Seattle and a Panthers win allows them to travel back to the comfort of AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos

The Broncos struggled a bit toward the end of the season, losing to the Bengals in Week 16 and fighting through several other close contests. However, Peyton Manning and Co. were able to establish a bit of momentum in the regular-season finale, trouncing the Oakland Raiders 47-14 to end 2014 on a high note.

If Manning can have his way with the Indianapolis defense in the divisional round, he'll earn Denver a trip to the AFC Championship Game. However, the outcome of the clash between the Ravens and Patriots will determine the location. If New England wins, the Broncos head to Foxborough. If Baltimore wins, the Broncos remain in Denver for another week.

Andrew Luck put on quite a show against the Bengals in the Wild Card Round, looking incredibly sharp while throwing for 376 yards and a score against a very good secondary. ESPN Stats & Info tweeted the young quarterback's very impressive pace in the postseason:

The Colts defense was just as impressive, containing running back Jeremy Hill and allowing very little room for Cincinnati's wide receivers to maneuver.

If Indianapolis can maintain that pace against Denver, it's likely the team will earn a trip to the AFC Championship Game. If New England emerges victorious, Luck and Co. will be traveling east to Gillette Stadium; however, if the Ravens win, it's back to Lucas Oil Stadium for the Colts, as they would then host the conference championship.