NFL Playoff Picture 2015: Early Odds and Scenarios Before Divisional Round

Entering the second round of the NFL playoffs, just eight teams remain with hope of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. All eight are first searching for a berth into the conference championship games after this weekend.

Three of the four games in the Wild Card Round were separated by double-digit point totals. Though the opening games weren't quite as wild as fans were hoping, there are several close matchups on the slate.

This obviously leaves a difficult task for bettors hoping to take advantage of the spreads. Results from the past can sometimes help pick those games, but the success for those remaining leaves a tough test when deciding the odds.

Leading up to the second weekend of the postseason, below is a look at the latest odds and matchup scenarios moving forward.

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

Matchup Scenarios

If there's any team that can completely shake up the bracket, it's the Carolina Panthers. Sure, the Baltimore Ravens can do the same on the AFC side, but an 8-8-1 team taking down the No. 1 seed would clearly be more shocking.

Most might not have faith in the Panthers, but the team is confident going into Seattle. Cornerback Josh Norman said, per 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.”

In the last two meetings, the Panthers have lost by a combined nine points to the Seahawks. Neither team has scored over 13 points during that span, with Seattle winning 13-9 in Week 8.

Granted, both games over that span were played in Carolina, but the Panthers are preparing for the environment in Seattle. Brian Formica of WXII noted how the team is getting ready to take on the 12th Man:

In terms of the scenarios moving forward, either Carolina or Baltimore winning would open a window for the No. 2 and 3 seeds to host another playoff game. Fans in Denver, Indianapolis, Green Bay and Dallas will be hoping the lowest seed falls, but hosting a surging Wild Card team can be just as challenging as playing on the road.

For the Cowboys, playing host might not be the best situation, as NFL on ESPN notes:

If the top seed is going to fall, the Ravens seem to have the most luck in accomplishing that feat. Joe Flacco has led the team to five straight playoff wins and remained consistent against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round.

However, the Pats are led by a coach who is on the cusp of a historic feat in terms of playoff games won, per ESPN Stats & Info:

The final weekend with four games will begin Saturday, with fans feasting their eyes on the best teams in the league. Next weekend's slate of games might look completely different than most would have thought at the beginning of the playoffs. That's the fun of January—you just never know what's going to happen.

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