NFL Playoffs 2015: AFC, NFC Conference Championship Schedule and Predictions

The NFL conference championships mark the last time for a while that fans can crash on the couch and enjoy football on a Sunday afternoon.

After the AFC and NFC Championship Games, only the Super Bowl occupies the remaining schedule two weeks later. Well, unless you're truly desperate and want to watch the Pro Bowl. Either way, enjoy this Sunday, because all subsequent days must now be spent productively instead.

At least the four participating teams are poised to make this a memorable weekend. Two rematches from the regular season headline the day's itinerary, and it's impossible to conjure up a dull Super Bowl matchup. 

No matter what happens Sunday, the NFL is going out with a bang.

Conference	Matchup	Prediction
AFC	Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots	NE 27-20
NFC	Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks	SEA 23-17

Top AFC Storyline: Darrelle Revis... Not This Game's Top Cornerback

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Darrelle Revis has built an indelible reputation as the league's finest shutdown corner. When he expels an opposing wideout to Revis Island, that player is not seen or heard from until the final whistle.

Last week, however, Steve Smith Sr. burned him across the middle for a touchdown. Revis also got called for two penalties: a 20-yard pass-interference infraction and a critical holding foul that erased a fumble recovery for the New England Patriots.

The 29-year-old wasn't quick to admit any wrongdoing to ESPNBoston.com's Kyle Brasseur.

“It’s a tough game,” Revis said. “There were a lot of penalties, a lot of scrapping out there. Push and tugging, back and forth. Receivers push off and that’s what it is. I pulled, he pushed off, I pulled. So they called it.” 

Looking at how Pro Football Focus' Mike Clay broke down New England's coverage earlier in the season, changes are in store for its rematch with the Indianapolis Colts:

Reggie Wayne has stalled down the stretch, failing to receive a target during the divisional round. With the veteran no longer a prominent threat, Revis' attention should turn to T.Y. Hilton, who registered three catches for 24 yards against the Patriots.

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Yet for all the attention Revis gets, Indianapolis' Vontae Davis played better this season. Pro Football Focus' Pete Damilatis reported his excellent numbers:

Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star added to the 26-year-old's legend:

Not getting praised in the same light as Revis works in Davis' favor. Instead of quarterbacks ignoring him, the 5'11" corner corralled four interceptions and 19 defended passes during the season.

Unfortunately for the Colts, the Pats don't possess a clear top target for Davis to eliminate from the equation. Rob Gronkowski is any defense's primary concern, but no corner has the size and strength to keep up with the monstrous tight end.

That leaves possession receiver Julian Edelman and deep threat Brandon LaFell, both key cogs in Tom Brady's attack. If Indy's secondary extends the same dare to go deep it issued to Manning, it won't end well. But Davis and Co. must contain the star quarterback to shield its shaky rushing defense against a team that gave Jonas Gray 37 carries against it in 2014.

Top NFC Storyline: Russell Wilson's Playoff Dominance

Quarterbacks on winning teams tend to get overvalued—Hi, Alex Smith!—but Russell Wilson often fades into the background when people mention the Seattle Seahawks.

Richard Sherman has become the NFL's most marketable defensive star, and Seattle's secondary has a cool and catchy name in the Legion of Boom. On the other side, Marshawn Lynch (rightfully) gets credit for leading the NFL's premier rushing defense.

But hey, this Russell Wilson fellow is also pretty good.

Against the Carolina Panthers, Wilson was anything but a game manager, going 15-of-22 with 268 passing yards and three touchdowns, giving him a tremendous 12.2 yards per pass.

As shown by ESPN Stats & Info, he was also perfect on third down:

Now that Joe Flacco is gone, someone will slide into his spot as fabled postseason hero, even if it amounts to a small-sample variance rather than a clutch gene rising to the surface. Enter Wilson, who has averaged 9.0 yards per attempt through six postseason games with 10 touchdowns and one pick.

GP (Record)	CMP-ATT	Pass YDs	YPA	Pass TDs	INT	QB Rating	Rush YDs	Rush TD
6 (5-1)	97-152 (63.8%)	1,362	9.0	9	1	109.6	191	1

Appraising Wilson has become difficult. He doesn't get the chance to compile raw numbers in Seattle's run-heavy offense, but his incredible supporting cast also makes his job much easier. 

Since both entered the league in 2012, Andrew Luck has compiled 3,346 more passing yards than Wilson, including all three postseasons. Seattle's quarterback, however, has proved far more efficient than Peyton Manning's worthy replacement. 

If Seattle runs the table again, people will overreact and call Wilson Joe Montana 2.0. If Green Bay triumphs, those same viewers will blame Wilson for holding a powerhouse back.

At 26 years old, Wilson's legacy remains incomplete, as he has never played alongside Jerry Rice or any true No. 1 wide receiver, for that matter. If he carves out Green Bay's No. 10-rated passing defense with Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse, he'll certainly inch closer into the position's top tier.