Super Bowl 2015: Highlighting Latest Odds and Updated Predictions
Now, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and others enter the fray.
Look, the Wild Card Round was fun but likely a good justification as to why the league does not need an extension. The Arizona Cardinals were blown away due to injury, and the Cincinnati Bengals failed to show up again.
Now, though, things get great. Critical storylines abound now that the top seeds take the turf. Can the defending champion Seattle Seahawks keep the momentum alive? Can Manning overcome a slump of form in cold weather?
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Las Vegas always seems to have an inside line on the answers, so it is pertinent to know the latest odds before things get underway.
Updated Super Bowl Odds Ahead of Divisional Round
| Baltimore Ravens | 22-1 |
| Carolina Panthers | 41-1 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 64-5 |
| Denver Broncos | 132-25 |
| Green Bay Packers | 113-20 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 45-2 |
| New England Patriots | 343-100 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 53-25 |
Odds courtesy of Odds Shark and accurate as of 9 p.m. ET on Jan. 7.
2015 NFL Divisional Round Schedule and Predictions
| Baltimore at New England | Sat, Jan. 10 at 4:35 p.m. | NBC | NE -7 | NE | See analysis below. |
| Indianapolis at Denver | Sun, Jan. 11 at 4:40 p.m. | CBS | DEN -7 | DEN | Even if Peyton Manning struggles, Denver's ability to run the ball and Indianapolis' lack thereof will be the difference. |
| Carolina at Seattle | Sat, Jan. 10 at 8:15 p.m. | FOX | SEA -11 | CAR | See analysis below. |
| Dallas at Green Bay | Sun, Jan. 11 at 1:05 p.m. | FOX | GB -6.5 | GB | Aaron Rodgers is too hot at home, and the Green Bay rush will decimate a struggling Dallas offensive line. |
Odds courtesy of Odds Shark and accurate as of 9 p.m. ET on Jan. 7.
Divisional Round Storylines to Watch
Carolina's Response to Adversity
Look, the Panthers already know a thing or two about adversity. As a bonus, they show well under immense pressure if the second half of this past season is any indication.
Despite a scary car accident involving Cam Newton, the Panthers ride a four-game winning streak into the postseason. In the process, the former Auburn star owns 10 total touchdowns and cares little to think about recent encounters with the Seahawks, as captured by Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer:
Things seem great, right?
The Panthers suffered another hit in the week leading up to the divisional round, though, this time losing star defensive tackle Star Lotulelei to a foot injury.
NFL on ESPN shared the news:
It is difficult to stress just how important this loss is. Many point out that the Panthers will fare better Saturday than most realize because these teams played to a 13-9 result in Week 8. There, the Panthers defense held Russell Wilson to 199 yards, one touchdown and an interception while Marshawn Lynch rushed for 62 yards.
One problem—Lotulelei was a force in that matchup. Over at Pro Football Focus (subscription required)—where he ranks as the No. 22 overall tackle in the league—the star tackle posted his third-highest grade of the season with an excellent mark in the rush category and a sound grade against the run.
This is not some "sky is falling" scenario that requires Liam Neeson to rescue them, but it will prove the mettle of these Panthers—owners of a losing record—quickly.
Not only is the game in Seattle, it comes after a week of rest for the Seahawks. To top it off, Lynch hit postseason form early, rushing for four touchdowns over the course of his past three games. As things stand now, it is hard to see how the Panthers pull one out.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Panthers 20
New England's Expectations
The weight of expectations can down any team.
Be real about the situation for a moment. Nobody really believes in the Indianapolis Colts. It just feels as if the team misses that critical component, and it does not help that the team struggled against Cincinnati. The same stigma surrounds the Baltimore Ravens.
It is safe to say most have already written off Manning and the Denver Broncos, too, as silly as cold-weather narratives can be.
That leaves New England, a team that has disappointed in the postseason over the course of the past decade despite the presence of Tom Brady. Downplay it or not, the 37-year-old quarterback continues to be on his final chances.
However, Brady doesn't appear to be focused on that, according to quotes gathered by Kevin Duffy of MassLive.com:
"This stage? What does that mean? What stage is that? Like twilight years? I mean every year is important. We're always trying to win the last game of the year.
"
Now the No. 1 seed in the AFC, Brady and the Patriots encounter a Baltimore secondary that ranks 23rd against the pass. It sounds simple, but the proverbial devil is in the details, as NFL on ESPN spotlights:
Whatever it is, the Ravens do it best against the Patriots in the playoffs. Now, these Ravens are not as great as rosters in year's past. But Justin Forsett gives the offense a balanced rushing attack by way of 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns. Joe Flacco's numbers, such as 27 scores to 12 interceptions, directly benefit from the offseason arrival of Steve Smith.
The deciding factor is twofold. One, an extra week of time for Brady and Bill Belichick to prepare puts the team at an advantage. Two, Baltimore's season-ending run is a bit deceptive thanks to a fluffy schedule.
A trip to Foxborough will prove as dangerous as it sounds even for these Ravens. A top-10 rush defense will bottle up Forsett while Brady controls the game thanks to Rob Gronkowski and others.
Prediction: Patriots 28, Ravens 17
Stats courtesy of NFL.com. Advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
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