The NFL has announced the full schedule for the wild card and divisional round of the 2015 NFL Playoffs, following a packed Week 17 to conclude the regular season.
NFL playoff schedule and bracket 2015: Wild card, divisional matchups announced
We take a look at the 2015 NFL playoff schedule and full bracket following the final week of the regular season.
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One team didn't have anything to play for in Week 17: the New England Patriots. They managed to lock up the AFC East in Week 15 and both a first-round bye and homefield advantage in Week 16. They'll be on the sidelines for wild card weekend alongside the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers. The Seahawks managed to secure the NFC West, while the Packers won the NFC North. The Dallas Cowboys slotted into the third seed, while the Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions took seeds No. 5 and 6.
As we already knew, but still feel like discussing because it's horrible: the NFC South will host a playoff game this postseason. The New Orleans Saints have led the division for much of the season, but they were eliminated in Week 16 by the Atlanta Falcons, setting up Sunday's game for the title against the Carolina Panthers. Carolina won that game and will host a playoff game at 7-8-1.
In the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens won out for the sixth seed, beating the Cleveland Browns while benefiting from a San Diego Chargers loss. Factor in the aforementioned Sunday Night Football game between the Bengals and Steelers, and we have a complete playoff picture.
NFL Playoffs 2015
Here’s a look at the schedule and bracket:
Wild Card Playoffs
AFC Game 1
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (6) Baltimore Ravens
Date: Jan. 3
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m.
TV: NBC
The Ravens managed to punch their ticket over the Chiefs, Texans and Chargers in Week 17. Grabbing that last wild card spot, their entrance means three of the four teams in action for the AFC wild card round are from the AFC North. The two teams went 1-1 this season, though Pittsburgh won their home game and will host this one.
AFC Game 2
(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (5) Cincinnati Bengals
Date: Jan. 4
Kickoff: 1:05 p.m.
TV: CBS
The Bengals lost the AFC North lead in Week 17, falling to the Steelers. Now they’ll have to travel to take on the Colts, who locked up the AFC East in Week 15. These two teams played in Week 7, in Indianapolis, and the Colts dominated that game, 27-0.
NFC Game 1
(4) Carolina Panthers vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Date: Jan. 3
Kickoff: 4:35 p.m.
TV: ESPN
The Cardinals are probably the biggest surprise of the season, racing out to a 9-1 start and comimg a game away from winning the NFC West and securing the top seed in the conference. Despite their strong record, they have major problems at the quarterback position and could actually be underdogs against the Panthers, who won four straight to close out the season.
SB Nation Studios presents: Cam Newton appearing on our game show at last year’s Super Bowl. This year, he hopes to be playing in a (slightly) more important game.
NFC Game 2
(3) Dallas Cowboys vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Date: Jan. 4
Kickoff: 4:40 p.m.
TV: FOX
The Cowboys are one of this year’s surprises. They’ve been bad for a few years now and not a whole lot changed coming into this year, but here they are in the postseason, probably favored over the Detroit Lions. Detroit has been better than expected as well, with an 11-5 record. They did lose the NFC North in Week 17, though.
Divisional Playoffs
NFC Game 3
(1) Seattle Seahawks vs. Lowest Seed
Date: Jan. 10
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m.
TV: FOX
As usual, homefield advantage is as big a factor for the Seahawks as any other team in the league, if not more. It’s widely regarded as the toughest place to play, and the Seahawks have been playing their best football of the year in recent weeks after a rough start to the season. They’re a force to be reckoned with.
NFC Game 4
(2) Green Bay Packers vs. Highest Seed
Date: Jan. 11
Kickoff: 1:05 p.m.
TV: FOX
The Packers trailed the Lions for a good portion of the last few weeks, but they made a statement with a big win in Week 17, taking the division and a first-round bye. It’s going to be a tough out for whichever team makes it this far. As the No. 2 seed, the Packers will take the highest remaining seed.
AFC Game 3
(1) New England Patriots vs. Lowest Seed
Date: Jan. 10
Kickoff: 4:35 p.m.
TV: NBC
Doesn’t it just seem too easy for the Patriots sometimes? Once again, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady led the Patriots to an AFC East win and a top seed with nothing to play for in the final week of the season. They’ll play host to the lowest remaining seed in the AFC, with a week of rest
AFC Game 4
(2) Denver Broncos vs. Highest Seed
Date: Jan. 11
Kickoff: 4:40 p.m.
TV: CBS
Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense wasn’t as insanely productive as they were a season ago, but it’s difficult to smash every significant record in the book two year in a row. They’ll host the highest remaining seed in the AFC in the divisional round.
Conference Championships
AFC: Divisional Winner 1 vs. Divisional Winner 2
Date: Jan. 18
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m.
TV: CBS
Neither the Patriots nor the Broncos play in stadiums generally regarded as tough for visitors, so the AFC Championship storyline will be a lot less focused on than the NFC.
NFC: Divisional Winner 1 vs. Divisional Winner 2
Date: Jan. 18
Kickoff: 3:05 p.m.
TV: FOX
Homefield advantage seems much more significant in the NFC, where the Seahawks and Packers have notoriously tough places to play. If the Seahawks make it through to this game, they’ll play hosts and would likely be heavy favorites.
Super Bowl XLIX
AFC Championship Winner vs. NFC Championship Winner
Date: Feb. 1
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m.
TV: NBC
Super Bowl XLIX will be played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ari. It will be the second Super Bowl held in that stadium, and NBC will handle the broadcast duties for this one.
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