NFL Playoffs 2015: AFC, NFC Championship Schedule, Odds and Predictions
The 2015 NFL playoffs have lived up to the lofty expectations set by the regular-season action, but this weekend’s schedule featuring the AFC and NFC Championships could feature the most exciting games of the year.
With the New England Patriots hosting the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC title game and the Green Bay Packers traveling west to play the Seattle Seahawks on the NFC side, the action on the field should be second to none.
Here is the full conference championship round schedule, odds for each matchup, predicted winners and the standout offensive and defensive players to watch this weekend.
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| Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks | Jan. 18 | 3:05 p.m. | Fox | SEA (1-3), GB (5-2) | Seattle |
| Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots | Jan. 18 | 6:40 p.m. | CBS | NE (5-13), IND (11-5) | New England |
*Odds via Odds Shark as of Jan. 15 at 7 a.m. ET.
Standout Offensive Star: Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Each team remaining in the postseason has a player the offense leans on more than anyone else, but for the Seattle Seahawks, the ability of veteran running back Marshawn Lynch will determine whether the team advances past the Green Bay Packers.
Seattle finished the regular season ranked first in rushing yards per game (172.6), and Lynch is the key to that success. With an unwillingness to give up and unparalleled tenacity, the team will once again lean on him to pace the offensive unit and keep drives alive.
Lynch only managed 59 yards on 14 carries and six yards on three receptions in the divisional round against Carolina, but Green Bay has a far less impressive run defense than the Panthers, even with Clay Matthews playing on the inside.
In the regular-season opener between the Seahawks and Packers, Lynch ran the ball 20 times for 110 yards and racked up two touchdowns. If he finds his rhythm early, Green Bay will have a hard time stopping Lynch once again.
Predicted Stat Line: 22 carries for 90 yards and one touchdown, three receptions for 20 yards.
Standout Defensive Star: Darrelle Revis, CB, New England Patriots
Most people think of Tom Brady and the New England offensive unit first when talking about the Patriots, but one of the biggest difference-makers left in the playoffs is cornerback Darrelle Revis.
After losing Aqib Talib to free agency, New England took the educated risk with Revis, and it has paid off big for the team. Revis has once again become a shutdown corner who forces offenses to target the opposite side of the field more often.
The Patriots have lacked the depth around Revis at times to consider the defensive unit elite, but he has been effective taking out the top pass-catchers for the opposition. Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts and No. 1 receiver T.Y. Hilton, Revis will need to bring his best.
Hilton has been one of the most dynamic receivers in the league this season, but he struggles at times dealing with physical cornerbacks. Revis is a deceptively strong player, and he will be extra aggressive with Hilton to get him off his game.
The chess match between Hilton and Revis could ultimately decide which team wins. Fortunately for New England fans, the elite cornerback wins more than he loses.
Predicted Final Score: New England 33, Indianapolis 30
*Stats via NFL.com.
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