NFL Playoff Schedule 2015: Predictions, Coverage Guide for Divisional Bracket

After watching the Wild Card Round exceed expectations, football fans are ready to witness the full 2015 NFL playoffs schedule unfold in front of them, continuing with the AFC and NFC Divisional Round battles Saturday and Sunday.

With elite teams like Seattle, New England and Denver ready to showcase their skill and underrated contenders like Baltimore and Carolina still alive, the divisional round has the potential to feature the most exciting games of the entire postseason.

Here is the full divisional-round schedule, predicted winners, a full bracket and a quick breakdown of the most underrated team in the playoffs.

Date	AFC Matchups	Time (ET)	TV	Predicted Winner
Date	NFC Matchup	Time (ET)	TV	Predicted Winner
Saturday, January 10	Baltimore Ravens (6) vs. New England Patriots (1)	4:35 p.m.	NBC	Patriots
Sunday, January 11	Indianapolis Colts (4) vs. Denver Broncos (2)	4:40 p.m.	CBS	Broncos
Saturday, January 10	Carolina Panthers (4) vs. Seattle Seahawks (1)	8:15 p.m.	Fox	Seattle
Sunday, January 11	Dallas Cowboys (3) vs. Green Bay Packers (2)	1:05 p.m.	Fox	Green Bay

Most Underrated Team: Carolina Panthers

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Almost every team that made the postseason this season has received the respect they deserve, but many fans are discounting the accomplishments of the Carolina Panthers due to the team’s 7-8-1 regular-season record.

There is no doubt that Carolina had the worst record coming into the playoffs, but the team won the final four games of the season to secure a playoff berth and has been effective on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

Add in the Wild Card Round win over the Arizona Cardinals, and the Seattle Seahawks can’t take the Panthers lightly in the divisional-round battle. After Seattle beat Carolina 13-9 earlier in the year, the Seahawks understand the tenacity and resilience of the NFC South champions.

As Jeff Darlington of NFL.com pointed out on Twitter, this Panthers team has faced adversity on and off the field and continues to overcome:

Carolina cornerback Josh Norman was asked about the recent success of the defensive unit, and he explained to the The Associated Press, via FoxSports.com, “We know who we are: menacing, stifling and we are going to get after you. We know when there is blood in the water and when there is, our sharks are going to eat.”

Since losing to Minnesota in Week 13, the Panthers defense has only allowed 43 combined points over the last four regular-season games. With a run defense led by tackle machine Luke Kuechly and a secondary that is playing its best football of the year, Marshawn Lynch, Russell Wilson and the entire Seahawks offense will have to play their best game to date.

While Cam Newton’s passing game has not been in the same elite company as that of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, he is using his legs once again to be a running threat and is finding support from Jonathan Stewart and the league’s seventh-ranked rushing attack (averaging 127.3 yards per game.)

As well as Carolina has played, traveling to Seattle to play the defending Super Bowl champions will be too much to overcome. The Seahawks may walk out with the win, but the Panthers have proved they will not go down without a fight.

Predicted final score: Seattle 27, Carolina 17

Stats via NFL.com.