NFL Playoff Schedule 2014: AFC and NFC Divisional Round Matchup Analysis

Two wins. 

That is all that stands between the remaining eight teams in the NFL playoffs and an appearance in the Super Bowl. While the Lombardi Trophy is the ultimate prize, the four divisional-round games on tap will provide fans will plenty of thrills.

Here is a look at the bracket and schedule for the weekend’s games before digging into some predictions for each contest.

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots 

The New England Patriots are the AFC's No. 1 seed, while the Baltimore Ravens are the No. 6, but the Ravens are a dangerous underdog. ESPN Stats & Info and Pete Damilatis of Pro Football Focus pointed out why that is:

Despite the fact that Baltimore has experienced success against the mighty Patriots, Saturday’s game could be different.

That is because the Patriots are ninth in the league in passing yards per game with Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman. Brady threw for 4,109 yards and 33 touchdowns this season, but it is Gronkowski who could make the ultimate difference Saturday.

Baltimore didn’t have to worry about Gronkowski in last season’s meeting or the 2012 AFC Championship Game because of injury, but he will play in this one. Gronkowski finished with 1,124 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches this season and should open things up for Edelman and the rest of the receivers on the outside.

The Ravens were only 23rd in the league against the pass and won’t be able to keep the Patriots' aerial assault in check for four quarters. 

Predicted winner: Patriots

Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks

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Russell Wilson is a perfect 3-0 against the Carolina Panthers, while Cam Newton is 0-3 against the Seattle Seahawks. That pattern will not change Saturday.

Newton has a whopping one touchdown in his last 28 drives against the Seahawks defense, which is a testament to how stifling Seattle is on that side of the ball. This season, the Seahawks were No. 1 in total yards allowed and scoring defense and have only given up more than seven points in one game since their Week 11 loss.

Seattle was first against the pass and third against the run this year and could very well win another Super Bowl based on the defense alone. It is even more difficult to move the ball against the Seahawks with the deafening "12th Man" behind them in Seattle.

Marshawn Lynch and the NFL’s top rushing attack will score Saturday, but Seattle will win because of the defense.

Predicted winner: Seahawks

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers

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The Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers are both loaded with offensive weapons, from Aaron Rodgers and Tony Romo to DeMarco Murray and Eddie Lacy to Jordy Nelson and Dez Bryant.

While there will be some points from both sides, Green Bay will end up with more points because Dallas simply won’t be able to stop Rodgers and the offense. Rodgers threw 38 touchdowns this year—with 25 of them going to Nelson and Randall Cobb—and Dallas was 26th in the league against the pass. 

By contrast, the Packers were tops in the NFL in scoring offense and can beat Dallas with the aerial assault or Lacy on the ground (1,139 rushing yards and nine touchdown runs). The Cowboys defense struggled against much worse offenses than Green Bay’s, and an upset victory in Lambeau Field is simply not in the cards.

Predicted winner: Packers

Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos

The obvious storylines in the showdown between the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos are the battle between quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning and the fact that Manning is playing his old team.

However, Luck talked about the matchup and tried his best to deflect attention from the quarterback clash, via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post: "I think it's the players' team. I don't think one player is necessarily bigger than the other, and I will say the folks of Indianapolis have embraced me and I definitely call it home."

While both quarterbacks are excellent, the outcome will come down to the better defense.

Indianapolis was 18th in the league against the run, which will be a problem against running back C.J. Anderson. If the Colts have to devote more attention to stopping the run, it will open up the passing attack for Manning.

Manning threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns in the regular-season meeting between these two teams and could be in for a repeat performance Sunday. Wes Welker wasn’t even there in the slot for that game, but he will play in the postseason to open things up for Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas on the outside.

Denver’s defense is much better equipped to deal with the Colts considering it is was ninth against the pass and second against the run. Luck and T.Y. Hilton should be able to score based on the fact the Colts were the top passing offense in the league, but Denver will at least contain Indianapolis’ attack.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The Colts offensive line has also dealt with injuries all year, which will make containing DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller difficult.

As long as the defense Simply keeps the Colts from exploding on the scoreboard, it should be enough for Manning and the Broncos offense.

Predicted winner: Broncos

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