NFL Playoff Schedule 2015: TV Info and Bracket Predictions for Divisional Round

The 2015 NFL playoffs get into full swing with this weekend's divisional-round matchups that will see the four most impressive and well-rested teams in the league pushed to the limit.

The New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers all got themselves an extra week of down time thanks to notching one of the conference's top two seeds, but the road to the Super Bowl begins in earnest this weekend. All four will host a playoff game, but go up against surging teams that just made it through Wild Card Weekend.

To suggest that it's impossible for any (or all) of the four teams to lose would be ignoring the parity-loaded NFL. Although some favorites have an inside track to victory, don't be surprised if some underdogs advance through to championship weekend.

Here's a look at the TV schedule and picks for the divisional-round games.

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

Top Matchup: Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The NFL can't help but match up the Colts and Broncos every regular season in what's become the Peyton Manning bowl, but fate is throwing the two teams for a loop entering the postseason.

While it's safe to say there are teams Manning would rather have to beat to advance in the playoffs, the Colts shouldn't be too giddy about the prospect, either. In Week 1, Indianapolis traveled to Denver and trailed 24-0 at one point before losing by a touchdown, 31-24.

To say that matchup would loom large this weekend may be exaggerating a bit, however, as Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib told KMGH-TV's Arran Andersen:

Luck's crew has endured stretches of dominance throughout a transformative season from the third-year QB, in which he has the Colts leading the NFL with 305.9 passing yards per game. But their performances against the NFL's elite in tough games leaves much to be desired.

Four of Indianapolis' five losses came to notable playoff teams—New England at home, at Dallas, at recently bounced Pittsburgh and, yes, at Denver. The last two were particularly flabbergasting 20-plus-point losses to the Patriots and Cowboys.

But as for the playoffs, the Colts looked poised in knocking off a Cincinnati team that convincingly beat the Broncos (albeit at home) less than a month ago.

The Colts have two wins over the Bengals that the Broncos can't match, but Denver has another coveted advantage—offensive balance. Running back injuries have opened up the starting spot for C.J. Anderson, as the Broncos rusher has amassed 849 yards and eight touchdowns, mostly in the season's second half.

For the Colts, Luck seemingly does it all, including sporadic performances as a running back, as ESPN Stats & Info uncovered:

Although he's leaned on a lot, Luck has copied Aaron Rodgers in surrounding himself with enough weapons to make it worthwhile. Staying in front of T.Y. Hilton, Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks—all of whom made big catches against the Bengals—will be easier said than done for the Broncos secondary.

Luck showed in Week 1 that he's not afraid of Denver's cornerback crew, but that vaunted pass rush may be another story. The Broncos sacked him three times in the opener and emerged as the NFL's second-ranked run defense throughout 2014.

The presence of Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware might make heroic throws like this one from last weekend impossible, as Bleacher Report's Matt Bowen captured:

There's little doubt by now that Luck is on his way to a Hall of Fame career. But if he wants to make the next step in his postseason career, he'll need to be surrounded by a more complete team.

The Colts are almost there, but don't offer enough defensively to shut down the Broncos. Anderson will have openings to dance through, giving Manning just the space he needs to operate vertically.

Manning hasn't been on a tear by any means to finish the season, throwing six interceptions against five touchdowns in his last five games. But with an effective rushing attack and a defense that will have the Colts somewhat under wraps, the Broncos will advance on.

Prediction: Broncos 31, Colts 27