NFL Playoff Picture 2015: AFC, NFC Championship Scenarios, Picks After Saturday

In Saturday's divisional-round action, the New England Patriots came back to win a shootout against the Baltimore Ravens, and the Seattle Seahawks smothered the Carolina Panthers in a lopsided ordeal. Both victors will move on to host their respective conference championship games.

Now, all they need are challengers.

Sunday features the final two divisional-round contests, which promise to bring some high-octane excitement to the gridiron. First, the red-hot Dallas Cowboys head north to take on the prolific Green Bay Packers for the right to take on the Seahawks. That game is followed by a clash between Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning, as the Indianapolis Colts face off against the Denver Broncos in an effort to meet the Patriots in Foxborough.

There are two burning questions that must be addressed before Sunday's games kick off. Which divisional-round winners give the No. 1 seeds favorable scenarios to earn conference championship victories? Also, which teams are most likely to move on to face Seattle and New England?

Before the divisional round reconvenes, here's a look into the future to answer both of those inquiries.

NFC Championship Scenarios

Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks

This contest would be a rematch of Week 1, as the Seahawks kicked off the regular season with a 36-16 drubbing of the Packers at CenturyLink Field. That contest reflects how Seattle has been playing of late, as Russell Wilson was efficient through the air, while the Seahawks racked up 207 yards on the ground and their defense held Green Bay to just 255 yards of total offense.

That game was completely one-sided, and if these teams were to meet again, we should expect the same end result. Aaron Rodgers is dynamic at home, but he has struggled away from Lambeau Field this season. Considering the Seahawks own the league's top-ranked pass defense, they have the clear advantage in this scenario.

Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks

The Cowboys, on the other hand, pose a completely different threat to the Seahawks. Dallas was able to defeat Wilson and Co. at CenturyLink Field in Week 6 thanks to a very well-balanced offense and a defense that held Seattle to just 206 total yards of offense and nine first downs.

It can be argued that the Seahawks were in the midst of a slump when these two teams last faced off, and that may be true; however, it's difficult to deny the Cowboys' massive amount of confidence received from that victory. Combined with the momentum it has accumulated throughout the playoffs, Dallas becomes a very real threat to take down the defending champs on their home turf.

NFC Championship Prediction

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With those two aforementioned scenarios in mind, the Seahawks should be hoping the Packers come away with a victory Sunday. Luckily, that will be the case, as Rodgers' magic at Lambeau Field will shine bright and earn his team a trip to Seattle. Unfortunately for Green Bay, its journey ends there.

Prediction: Seahawks 31, Packers 24

AFC Championship Scenarios

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots

A matchup against Denver would give the Patriots a rematch of a Week 9 contest that ended in their favor by a score of 43-21. Tom Brady outdueled Manning in that game, passing for 333 yards and hooking up with four different receivers on touchdown strikes. Meanwhile, Manning accumulated plenty of yardage through the air but found the end zone just twice.

Well, much has changed since that contest. Denver has been leaning heavily on running back C.J. Anderson of late and has been flourishing as a result. The talented ball-carrier is averaging 4.7 yards per carry on the season and has two three-touchdown performances in his last four outings. Considering New England just allowed 129 rushing yards to Justin Forsett, the team won't want to see Anderson come to town.

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

Should the Colts advance, the Patriots will get another rematch of a previous victory. New England ran a well-balanced offense in Week 11 against Indianapolis, racking up 503 yards of offense while limiting the Colts to just 19 rushing yards on 16 carries. The Patriots also shut down top receiver T.Y. Hilton, and Luck wasn't able to carry the team as a result.

Things haven't changed much since then. While the Patriots haven't exactly duplicated the ground game they featured in that Week 11 contest, they are still a well-rounded team on both sides of the ball. Indianapolis, on the other hand, still can't seem to maintain a consistent running game. Heading to New England with a one-dimensional offense is a recipe for disaster, and that translates into a big advantage for the Patriots here.

AFC Championship Prediction

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Based on past experiences, the Patriots should have the advantage in either scenario. However, a matchup against the Colts gives them a better chance for a victory and Super Bowl berth. That will actually be the case, as Indianapolis will contain Anderson the same way it held Jeremy Hill to just 3.6 yards per carry during Wild Card Weekend and force Manning into dangerous passing situations.

That strategy may work Sunday, but that won't be the case in the AFC Championship Game, as Brady proved Saturday he can put up some gaudy numbers in the playoffs without any kind of a ground game.

Prediction: Patriots 34, Colts 27