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The 2015 NFL playoffs get going Saturday and Sunday with wild card round action. The weekend opens with Cardinals vs. Panthers Saturday early afternoon, and Ravens vs. Steelers in the late afternoon. Sunday features Bengals-Colts in the morning, and then Lions-Cowboys in the afternoon. The divisional round weekend will feature the Patriots and Seahawks facing the worst remaining seed, and the Broncos and Packers facing the highest remaining seeds.
I would contend both days feature one really interesting game, and one potentially blah game. For Saturday, the Ravens and Steelers are one of the better rivalries in football, and the Steelers face a huge question mark with Le'Veon Bell not playing. He had a fantastic year, but the Steelers will need to figure out a way to advance without him. I think they can advance, but it will be a big challenge.
Cardinals-Panthers could prove to be a good game, but I see a low scoring, more defensive affair. I think the Panthers win, but the Cardinals cover the touchdown spread. Ryan Lindley could surprise us, but I would not hold my breath for a strong performance.
On Sunday, I expect a wild game between the Lions and Cowboys. Neither team plays defense well enough to contain the big weapons on the other side. Of course, both quarterbacks are capable of imploding at any given time. Stafford seems more likely to implode in this one, but we'll see. It could be a wild one. The Bengals-Colts game could be fun, but my guess is we see a one-sided win by the Colts.
Cardinals vs. Panthers
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
When: 4:20 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Announcers: Jon Gruden, Mike Tirico
Radio: Cardinals Radio Network | Panthers Radio Network
Online Streaming: WatchESPN
Odds: Carolina, the home team, opened up as 4-point favorites for this matchup. The line only increased in their favor throughout the week, varying between betting sites. They could be had at -7 during the week, according to OddsShark.
Panthers blog: Cat Scratch Reader
Cardinals blog: Revenge of the Birds
Ravens vs. Steelers
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.
When: 8:25 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth
Radio: Ravens Radio Network, Steelers Radio Network
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile | NBC Sports
Odds: Pittsburgh is favored by 3 points at home against Baltimore, with an over/under of 46.5, per OddsShark.
Ravens blog: Baltimore Beatdown.
Steelers blog: Behind The Steel Curtain.
Bengals vs. Colts
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
When: 1:05 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
Radio: Bengals Radio Network, Colts Radio Network
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile
Odds: Indianapolis is favored by 4 points at home against Cincinnati, with an over/under of 49
Bengals blog: Cincy Jungle
Colts blog: Stampede Blue
Lions vs. Cowboys
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
When: 4:40 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Announcers: Troy Aikman and Joe Buck
Radio: Lions Radio Network, Cowboys Radio Network
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile
Odds: Dallas is favored by 6.5 points at home against Detroit, with an over/under of 48 points, per OddsShark.
Lions blog: Pride of Detroit.
Cowboys blog: Blogging The Boys