2014-15 NFL Playoff Field Set
The road to Super Bowl XLIX begins now!
After 17 grueling weeks of gridiron action, the field is finally set for the 2014-15 NFL Playoffs.
While 20 teams are busy planning for next season, 12 teams remain alive in the race for Super Bowl XLIX.
Betting Sports now brings you a rundown of those sides still in with a shot at lifting the Lombardi Trophy.
American Football Conference
First Round Bye
The New England Patriots (12-4) locked up the No. 1 seed and home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs in Week 16, rendering this weekend’s game against the Buffalo Bills moot. The Patriots will host the lowest remaining seed next weekend.
The Denver Broncos (12-4) ultimately lost out on the conference top spot by way of a Week 9 loss to the Patriots. The Broncos roughed up the Oakland Raiders this week to maintain a perfect home record on the season and to send a message out to the rest of the league.
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AFC Wild Card: Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA (Sat, 8:15 p.m. ET)
Thanks to a San Diego loss, the Baltimore Ravens (10-6, 4-4 road) secured a postseason berth with a win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The result saw the Ravens become the third AFC North side to punch its ticket to the playoffs, and sets up a massive rivalry game.
Already assured of a postseason game, the Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5, 6-2 home) emerged as the AFC North champion Sunday, getting the better of the Bengals in the Steel City. Now Mike Tomlin’s side will face Baltimore for the third time this campaign.
One of the fiercest rivalries in football, it’s no surprise to see that NBC picked this matchup out as its prime time Saturday night game. After splitting a pair in the regular season, with both sides successfully defending home field, the Steelers opened as a marginal favorite.
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AFC Wild Card: Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN (Sun, 1:05 p.m. ET)
Sunday night’s loss in Pittsburgh relegated the Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1, 5-3 road) to a wild card berth, setting up a rematch with the Indianapolis Colts (11-5, 6-2 home) in the process.
In Week 7, the Colts – a team that punched its postseason ticket three weeks ago – defeated the Bengals 27-0 in the Circle City, putting the bookend on a three-game winless streak for Marvin Lewis’ side. The Bengals are 7-3 since that loss and will be looking to gain a measure of revenge in this one.
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National Football Conference
First Round Byes
The Seattle Seahawks (12-4) became the first team since the 1990 San Francisco 49ers to secure home field advantage after winning a Super Bowl, defeating the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. The road to Super Bowl XLIX is set to pass through CenturyLink Field, something not too many teams will be happy about.
The Green Bay Packers (12-4) secured a 24th straight home win over the Detroit Lions Sunday, winning the NFC North title and booking a first round bye in the process. A third game with the Lions could be on the cards, pending this coming weekend’s action.
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NFC Wild Card: Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC (Sat, 4:20 p.m. ET)
The Carolina Panthers (7-8-1, 4-4 home) became just the second team in history to book a postseason berth with a losing record. Don’t expect such a dubious accolade to bother Ron Rivera’s side this coming Saturday though; the Panthers won four straight to close out the season with a playoff berth.
While the Panthers are trending upwards somewhat, the Arizona Cardinals (11-5, 4-4 road) have struggled down the stretch. A loss to the Niners on Sunday marked a fourth loss in six games. The Cardinals will home the return of quarterback Drew Stanton will help the side on Saturday.
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NFC Wild Card: Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX (Sun, 4:40 p.m. ET)
After a trilogy of 8-8 seasons, the Dallas Cowboys (12-4, 4-4 home) finished the 2014 campaign with a trouncing of the Washington Redskins and the franchise’s best record in seven seasons. Now comes the next challenge for Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray and the rest of Big D’s fabled team.
Sunday’s loss to the Packers saw Detroit (11-5, 4-4 road) once again fail to defeat a quality opponent. There are a lot of question marks over the side ahead of their trip to Arlington. The Lions will be confident in their defense and would love another opportunity to get back at the Packers.
Playing at home has been something of a weakness for the Cowboys this season, although the team thumped the Colts in their home finale in Week 16. Will that factor in to Sunday’s final wild card game, or will the ‘Boys take their undefeated road record into Green Bay to face the Packers, a team unbeaten at home?
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Betting Sports will have coverage throughout the week of the wild card round of the NFL playoffs, so be sure to check back for more information.
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