NFL Divisional Playoffs 2015: Saturday TV Schedule, Spread and Score Predictions

The opening round of the 2015 NFL playoffs has football fans genuinely excited about the rest of the postseason, and Saturday’s divisional-round matchups will satisfy even the casual football fans without a horse in the race.

While Sunday’s schedule also features two marquee matchups, Saturday’s docket includes an AFC war between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots, as well as a NFC clash between the Carolina Panthers and the Seattle Seahawks.

Here is the divisional-round schedule, television information, spread and score predictions for Saturday’s high-profile battles.

Matchups	Date	Time (ET)	TV	Spread	Prediction
Baltimore Ravens (6) vs. New England Patriots (1)	Jan. 10	4:35 p.m.	NBC	NE (-7)	NE, 30-27
Carolina Panthers (4) vs. Seattle Seahawks (1)	Jan. 10	8:15 p.m.	Fox	SEA (-11)	SEA, 27-17

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

Breakout Star of the Divisional Round

There are many players with the potential to have breakout performances in the divisional round, but the stage has been set for New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon LaFell to thrive against the Baltimore Ravens.

LaFell spent the first four years of his career with the Carolina Panthers but didn’t come close to achieving the success he did during his first season with New England. In 16 games, he amassed 74 receptions for 953 yards and seven touchdowns, all career highs.

Add in the fact that he was a first-down machine, keeping drives alive 50 times, and the Patriots have leaned on the fifth-year star throughout the year. Now he will have the chance to shine against Baltimore’s 23rd-ranked pass defense (allowing 248.7 yards per game.)

Mike Reiss of ESPN talked with LaFell about the weather conditions he will face Saturday:

When asked about how he feels this deep in the season, LaFell told Jeff Howe of The Boston Herald, “I’m doing great, man. I’m doing great. Resting up my body a little bit. Getting ready to go out and play.”

There will be many factors that go into the result of Saturday’s battle, but New England must utilize LaFell’s size advantage and strength against the smaller Ravens cornerbacks. As seen from the 356 passing yards Baltimore allowed against Pittsburgh in the wild-card round, there are chances for big plays down the field.

If quarterback Tom Brady and LaFell stay on the same page and continue finding their rhythm, there is no doubt the Patriots can pull out the win over Joe Flacco and the Ravens. If Baltimore can’t stop LaFell, New England will be AFC Championship-bound.

Predicted Final Score: New England 30, Baltimore 27

*Stats via NFL.com.