A three win team by the time December rolled around is the focal point of the 2014 15 NFL Playoffs.
Necessary reseeding and rule changes aside the Carolina Panthers are the hottest team in the league as NFL on ESPN illustrates
A team that was 3 8 1 on December 1st is HOSTING a playoff game Panthers pic.twitter.com/O6zeRoBbTT
NFL on ESPN ( ESPNNFL) December 29 2014The playoff picture as a whole is about what most would expect though. The Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers have byes on the NFC side of things while the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos have the same in the AFC.
All of the above ensures all showdowns will make for must see television so take the time to review what is on the slate.
2014 15 NFL Playoffs Schedule
Wild Card Weekend Predictions
Date Home Away Time (ET) Pick Saturday Jan. 3 No. 4 Carolina Panthers No. 5 Arizona Cardinals 4 35 p.m. CAR Saturday Jan. 3 No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers No. 6 Baltimore Ravens 8 15 p.m. PIT Sunday Jan. 4 No. 4 Indianapolis Colts No. 5 Cincinnati Bengals 1 05 p.m. IND Sunday Jan. 4 No. 3 Dallas Cowboys No. 6 Detroit Lions 4 40 p.m. DAL.
Best Early Matchup Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts
Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesThe first weekend of postseason football has a lot to offer observers although some may choose to overlook an encounter between the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts.
That would be quite foolish.
Look these two played to a 27 0 finish in favor of the home team in Indianapolis back in Week 7 but both teams are quite different this time around.
In that contest Andrew Luck threw for a pair of scores and Trent Richardson ran for 77 yards. Cincinnati as a whole rushed for 32 yards and Andy Dalton threw for 126 yards.
Things were disappointing coach Marvin Lewis said at the time per the Associated Press (via ESPN). Not having execution on third down offensively to not make first downs and not make opportunities to keep the drives alive and then have a couple plays on defense where we didn't play very well.
The thing is the Colts are just a few weeks removed from a 42 7 loss to Dallas whereas the Bengals are a few weeks removed from a 37 28 triumph over Denver.
Cincinnati now leans on rookie back Jeremy Hill who has a minimum of 100 rushing yards in each of his last three games two of which were major wins. This new balance and efficiency means the Bengals can better counter Luck who continues to lead one of the league's best aerial assaults.
A game of chess rife with revenge storylines between two teams prone to defensive collapses promises to entertain. It also promises to give the edge to a home team with a more reliable player under center so look for Luck to pull one out late.
Prediction Colts 27 Bengals 23
Most Obvious Outcome Carolina Panthers Over Arizona Cardinals
Talk about an exercise in patience.
There was a time earlier this season when Carolina was nothing close to the defensive stalwart that got to the postseason one year ago. Things changed when the calendar turned to December though as the Panthers were owners of a top 10 pass defense entering Week 17.
Said defense then held Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to 260 passing yards and took a pair of interceptions back for touchdowns in a 34 3 blowout to win the NFC South.
As if the divisional crown were not enough the Panthers also made history per ESPN Stats Info
Panthers 1st team in NFL history to make playoffs despite having a winless streak of at least 7 games during season (via eliassports)
ESPN Stats Info ( ESPNStatsInfo) December 29 2014Things are not as bright for the Arizona Cardinals.
Losers of two straight games Bruce Arians' team is at rock bottom at the wrong time. According to a note from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport before the Week 17 loss to the 49ers it sounds as if quarterback Drew Stanton will not be around for a dance with Carolina's elite secondary
Sources AZCardinals QB Drew Stanton had arthroscopic surgery to fight an infection. He s recovering but may be done for the year.
Ian Rapoport ( RapSheet) December 26 2014In other words third string option Ryan Lindley who has two touchdowns to four interceptions over the course of the two game skid will be the starter on the road.
Even Arizona's elite run defense looks torrid at present as San Francisco's Frank Gore ran for 144 yards this past weekend. That is a scary proposition considering the damage Cam Newton is capable of on his own especially with a healthy Jonathan Stewart in his backfield.
The wrong combination of health locale and momentum dooms the Cardinals.
Prediction Panthers 23 Cardinals 17
Stats courtesy of NFL.com. Advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
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