Super Bowl 2015: Predictions and Odds Post-Divisional Round Weekend

Over the course of the 2014 season, 32 teams have been whittled down, and with Divisional Round Weekend over, only four remain in the quest to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

The Indianapolis Colts are the surprise entrant of the group, joined by perennial stalwarts Green Bay, Seattle and New England. It's a fantastic Final Four of franchises featuring what could be the best group of quarterbacks in the league (Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Tom Brady). It should be an epic championship weekend.

Vegas is currently projecting a Super Bowl of New England against Seattle, but as we saw last week with Indianapolis' upset of Denver, things don't always go according to plan. While the Patriots and Seahawks possess the best odds to advance to the big game, the Colts and Packers cannot be counted out and must be taken seriously as legitimate threats to win it all.

Here are the post-Divisional Round Weekend predictions and odds, courtesy of Odds Shark, for every playoff team to win Super Bowl XLIX.

Indianapolis Colts

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

Odds: 7-1

The most improbable team remaining in the final four is undoubtedly the Indianapolis Colts, who shocked the world by thoroughly dominating Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, 24-13.

For the Colts, it was a complete team effort that has lent credence to the idea that they could be a Super Bowl-ready outfit. It wasn't just star quarterback Andrew Luck that sparkled, but the entire roster from 1-53.

Indianapolis' much-maligned offensive line provided flawless protection for Luck (he wasn't even hit once) and the Colts defense showed up in a major way, limiting Peyton Manning and the high-powered Broncos to under 300 yards of total offense. It's hard to imagine Indianapolis playing a finer game in all phases, and coach Chuck Pagano should be over the moon with the effort and performance of his club.

As always, though, Luck is the primary difference-maker, the club's trump card against the rest of the league. While his numbers (27-of-43 for 265 yards, two touchdown passes and two interceptions) weren't gaudy by his usual standards, Luck was dead-on accurate and managed the game proficiently. There's little question that he's ready to ascend to the rarefied air of quarterbacks normally occupied only by names like Rodgers, Manning and Brady.

The only team standing between Indianapolis' first Super Bowl berth since 2009? The big, bad New England Patriots.

In the last two meetings between the teams (including the divisional round of last year's postseason), the Patriots have outscored the Colts by a 85-42 margin (both New England wins) and rushed for a combined 480 yards. Simply put: The Colts will need a better defensive effort if they're to hang with the favored Patriots on Sunday.

But the way Indianapolis played against Denver should give its fans hope that it's ready to take the next step. If the run defense can stand up and the offensive line can protect Luck and allow him to work his magic, we could be talking about the Colts as a surprise entrant in Super Bowl XLIX.

Next Game: at New England Patriots (Sunday, Jan. 18 at 6:40 p.m. ET)

Green Bay Packers

Matt Ludtke/Associated Press

Odds: 11-2

At halftime of Sunday's divisional-round contest against the Dallas Cowboys, the Green Bay Packers trailed by the score of 14-10. Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked hobbled by his calf injury, and Dallas had all the momentum. It looked like the Packers were in significant trouble.

But Green Bay—spearheaded by a gutty performance from Rodgers—came out guns blazing in the second half and held on for a 26-21 win to advance to the NFC Championship Game.

Rodgers was majestic in the second half, shaking off the effects of his injured calf to lead Green Bay on two touchdown drives to help secure the victory.

Rookie receiver Davante Adams—the third option in the team's aerial assault for much of the campaign—showed up in a major way, hauling in seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown, and it sure felt like his coming-out party.

And even though it was aided by a questionable overturn by the officiating crew, Green Bay's defense did enough to hold the Cowboys at bay.

Now, the Packers head to Seattle with a chance to advance to their first Super Bowl since 2010. Given the Seattle Seahawks' home success (including a 36-16 trouncing of the Packers in Week 1), that mission will be easier said than done.

But at least Rodgers is feeling better than he was at this time last week, telling Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, "I think I've got 120 minutes left in me. So I'm going to do everything I can to make sure I can play all those minutes."

While it's true that Green Bay was annihilated by Seattle in Week 1, this is a different Packers team. Green Bay's defense has played well, and running back Eddie Lacy has emerged as one of the better ball-carriers in the league. Plus, the Packers still have Rodgers, and as long as he's under center, Green Bay has a shot.

It's not easy for any team to go into Seattle and beat the Seahawks, so the Packers have to be considered the underdog. But it should surprise no one if Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy help the Packers advance to Super Bowl XLIX.

Next Game: at Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, Jan. 18 at 3:05 p.m. ET)

New England Patriots

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

Odds: 9-5

Twice in the New England Patriots' divisional-round game against the Baltimore Ravens, they trailed by 14 points.

And twice they were brought all the way back by legendary quarterback Tom Brady, culminating in a rousing and heart-stopping 35-31 win that sent the Patriots to their fourth straight AFC Championship Game.

It was nothing short of an epic performance from Brady (33-of-50 passing for 367 yards, three touchdown tosses and one interception) to help guide the Patriots to victory. He was aided (as always) by All-World tight end Rob Gronkowski, who not only hauled in seven passes for 108 yards and a touchdown, but opened up opportunities for his fellow receivers by attracting so much attention from the Baltimore defense.

On defense, linebacker Jamie Collins continued his evolution into an absolute star, racking up 11 tackles in a show-stopping effort. And now, coach Bill Belichick's team has a chance to advance to its first Super Bowl since 2011.

It's well-noted that the Patriots haven't won a Super Bowl in 10 years, and it's quite possible that this is the team to end that streak. Saturday's win over the Ravens provided hope that this Patriots outfit is as tough as the one that claimed three Lombardi Trophies in four seasons (2001-2004).

All that's standing in between the Patriots and the franchise's eighth Super Bowl berth? Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts, a team that New England handled in last year's divisional round and Week 11 of this regular-season campaign. While the Colts are certainly capable of winning, the Patriots are undoubtedly the favorite to claim AFC glory and move onto Super Bowl XLIX. 

Next Game: vs. Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, Jan. 18 at 6:40 p.m. ET)

Seattle Seahawks

John Froschauer/Associated Press

Odds: 5-4

Stop us if you've heard this one before: The Seattle Seahawks rode a dominant defensive effort and outstanding play from quarterback Russell Wilson to a win in the divisional round, setting up a home game to play for a berth in the Super Bowl.

The script does read fairly closely to last year's, and that's a major compliment to coach Pete Carroll's team, which now stands at the precipice of a second consecutive Super Bowl berth (and potentially a second straight world championship).

Seattle downed the overmatched Carolina Panthers on Saturday 31-17, behind a majestic effort from Wilson (15-of-22 for 268 yards passing and three touchdown tosses) and a dominant defensive performance keyed by safety Kam Chancellor, who was the best player on the field. The game was never truly in doubt and spoke to Seattle's overall dominance at home.

Wilson has truly elevated his game to the next level, which is a scary prospect for the rest of the league. Over his last eight starts (seven wins, one loss), Wilson has thrown 12 touchdown passes against only two interceptions. He's cool, calm and collected, in full command of the offense and makes the spectacular look ordinary. Simply put, he's one of the finest players in football and is making a case to be called the best passer in the league.

The Green Bay Packers now stand between Seattle's chance to play for a second straight Lombardi Trophy, and on paper, it's not a bad matchup. After all, Seattle crushed Green Bay in the season opener, 36-16, sacking Aaron Rodgers three times and suffocating Green Bay's high-octane offense.

But this is a different time and a different Packers team. Green Bay is rolling, and certainly won't arrive at CenturyLink Field to roll over and play dead. Rodgers and company will give Seattle all it can handle.

With that said, though, the Seahawks are at home, and considering their home-field advantage, they must be considered the favorites to win the NFC and advance to the Super Bowl.

And when and if they get there, they'll surely be favored to once again raise the Lombardi Trophy.

Next Game: vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, Jan. 18 at 3:05 p.m. ET)