NFL Playoffs 2015: Schedule, Odds and Predictions for Saturday Divisional Games

The first round of the 2015 NFL playoffs lived up to the expectations set by the entertaining regular season, but football fans have already turned their attention to the Divisional Round and the enthralling matchups on the schedule.

With the Baltimore Ravens traveling to New England to square off with the Patriots and the Carolina Panthers playing the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC bracket, the resulting Saturday schedule should satisfy even the most fickle football fan.

Here is the full divisional round schedule, latest odds and predictions for Saturday’s two marquee matchups.

Matchups	Date	Time (ET)	TV	Predicted Winner	Odds
Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots	Jan. 10	4:35 p.m.	NBC	Patriots	BAL (49-20), NE (10-29)
Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks	Jan. 10	8:15 p.m.	Fox	Seattle	CAR (17-4), SEA (2-13)

*Betting information via Odds Shark (as of Jan. 10 at 7 a.m. ET).

Saturday’s Biggest Potential Difference Maker

There are several players on all four franchises playing Saturday that could be the biggest potential difference-makers for their respective team, but few will have as much of an impact as Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett.

Forsett is the definition of a journeyman, spending each of the last four seasons with four different teams. Baltimore didn’t expect to use him in anything more than a complementary role behind Ray Rice, but Forsett was thrust into the starting job and thrived.

In 16 games, Forsett ran the ball 235 times for 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns, all career highs. Add in his 44 receptions for 263 additional yards, and Forsett became the workhorse the franchise needed desperately.

New England running back Shane Vereen is friends with Forsett from their days in college, and the Patriots’ player told Kyle Brasseur of ESPNBoston.com, “I’m very happy for him, he deserves it. He’s a hard worker, he’s a good runner. He showed it all season long.”

While Forsett had a turnover against Pittsburgh last weekend, Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk shared how long it had been since his last fumble:

Forsett is dealing with multiple factors he will have to overcome, though. Not only will he have to contend with the league’s ninth-ranked run defense (allowing just 104.3 yards per game), but he is also trying to overcome the physical toll playing the majority of the snaps has on a player.

Toward the end of the season, Forsett’s numbers began to dip, something that should be expected from a running back who has never been given a workload this heavy. As seen with his 40 yards on 16 carries against Pittsburgh, the veteran isn’t running as strong as he was earlier in the year.

Despite the recent struggles, the Baltimore offensive line has played well and Forsett should have opportunities to shine. With quarterback Joe Flacco keeping drives alive, the running back should have ample opportunities to succeed.

Predicted Stat Line: 20 carries for 85 yards and one touchdown; three receptions for 25 yards and zero touchdowns.

*Stats via NFL.com.