2015 NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Schedule and Point Spreads
By Jason McIntyre
And then there were eight. Yes, the Lions probably should have been here. But we’ve discussed that, so let’s move on. The four best teams in the NFL this season all had byes on Wild Card weekend, and they all open as pretty significant favorites. You can tell which way I’m leaning in each of the games.
Saturday:
Baltimore at New England, 4:35 pm, NBC
Patriots -7
Ravens have won two of the last three postseason meetings with the Patriots on the road, including a 28-13 beatdown in 2012 en route to the Super Bowl. They lost 23-20 in 2011 and won 33-14 in 2009. They’ve caused 10 turnovers in those three meetings.
Carolina at Seattle, 8:15, FOX
Seahawks -11
The last three games in this series have all been close (and all in Charlotte), with Seattle winning 16-12, 12-7 and 13-9. The Seahawks last playoff loss at home was in 2004, and it’s unclear if they’ve ever lost a night game at home*.
Sunday:
Dallas at Green Bay, 1 pm, FOX
Packers -6.5
The Cowboys have the No. 2 rushing offense in the NFL (147 ypg) and the Packers give up 119 ypg (23rd) and 4.3 ypc (20th). Green Bay lost at home to San Francisco in the playoffs last year, giving up 167 rushing yards on 30 carries.
Indianapolis at Denver, 4:40 pm, CBS
Broncos -7
Andrew Luck is 0-2 on the road in the playoffs with losses to Baltimore in 2013 and New England in 2014. He’s thrown 2 TDs and 5 INTs. The Broncos held on to beat the Colts at home in Week 1, 31-24, after taking a 24-0 2nd quarter lead.
* You get the point.