The Indianapolis Colts' trip to Denver to face the Broncos. As Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer reported, that defense presents a very stiff test for Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers offense: For the second consecutive year, the Seahawks finished with the top defense in the NFL. Gil Brandt: Philadelphia Eagles.

I like three teams coming out of the North to make the playoffs once again. The other two teams, the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars, still have a ways to go to get in this race. Look for LeGarrette Blount to rush for 1,000 yards and help keep the defense off the field. I want to go with Philly, but Sam Bradford's durability still concerns me.

Arizona has the best coach/general manager combo in the league and will compete for the NFC West title. The New York Jets had some offensive success against them.

But the Seahawks have been a strong team all season, one that has only gotten stronger as the season wore on and gave way to the playoffs.

With the Falcons and Packers set to play the 800th edition of Monday Night Football, Judy Battista digs into a 50-year-old NFL institution.Â. Colleen Wolfe: Vikings. I picked them to win this sorry division last year. It's a difficult task that requires everything—including a bit of luck and timing—on the defending champions' side.

The absence of Kelvin Benjamin for the season is a huge blow, but Devin Funchess and Greg Olsen will cushion the blow and the defense should still be the best in the division. Jim Trotter says the heartbreak surrounding Prescott's injury leaves the feeling that there was no real winner from the game. MVP: J.J. Watt, DE, Houston TexansOffensive Player of the Year: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay PackersDefensive Player of the Year: J.J. Watt, DE, Houston TexansOffensive Rookie of the Year: Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland RaidersDefensive Rookie of the Year: Randy Gregory, DE, Dallas CowboysCoach of the Year: Bill O'Brien, Houston TexansComeback Player of the Year: Sam Bradford, QB, Philadelphia Eagles, MVP: Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis ColtsOffensive Player of the Year: Le’Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh SteelersDefensive Player of the Year: Justin Houston, OLB, Kansas City ChiefsOffensive Rookie of the Year: Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego ChargersDefensive Rookie of the Year: Vic Beasley, DE, Atlanta FalconsCoach of the Year: Mike Zimmer, Minnesota VikingsComeback Player of the Year: Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals. The Patriots have run it down the Colts' throats for more than 240 yards in each of the past two games against them.

They are just so loaded. His lack of hesitation and burst through the line of scrimmage gives him and the Broncos’ offensive line an advantage, because hitting the hole so quickly leaves the defense unable to react quickly enough to stop him. We already know what Joe Flacco can do when he gets a crack at the playoffs. The offensive line is suspect and Seattle needs Kam Chancellor to show up, but there is little reason to think the Seahawks won't have a very good chance of getting a do-over on that Super Bowl disaster. Elliot Harrison: Packers. The Colts added this offseason to an already potent offense running back Frank Gore and receiver Andre Johnson. On Saturday, the divisional round of the 2015 NFL playoffs gets underway, which can mean only one thing—time for the big dogs to eat. All things considered – struggles in the red zone, an injured (Julius) Thomas, troubles on the road, combined with an interception-prone Manning makes for an uphill battle heading into the postseason.

Last year was not a mirage -- that offensive line plus Scott Linehan's play-calling equals division dominance. I see a team with weaknesses, but I also see Bruce Arians. The default is "Games must be played", but other sites Brian Billick: Minnesota Vikings. Others receiving votes: Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos (1 vote), Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (1 vote), Winner: Richard Sherman, CB, Seattle Seahawks (3 votes). The Packers return virtually intact a team that was agonizingly close to the Super Bowl last year.

So which will it be? That's the story of this NFC title tilt. Even without Jordy Nelson, this team is strong enough to claim this division. 2015 NFL Predictions.

He's back, and keeping him healthy is priority No. I think it won't take long for the Manning passing game to be the feature. It's going to be tough, no doubt. Steve Wyche: Detroit Lions. The loss of Jordy Nelson diffuses some of the offense's potency, but Rodgers helps Ty Montgomery and Davante Adams grow into big-time playmakers. The Pack’s bad luck won’t hold. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience.

The Colts were frequently spotted carrying the ball in the inside arm against the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card Round, and starting running back Dan Herron fumbled twice. They're still a ways away from catching the Packers, though.

Of course, that isn't to say that Goliath has a clear path to the conference championships. Seahawks: Bowen, Davenport, Freeman, Frenz, Gagnon, Hangst, Hansen, Kruse, McCown, Miller, Simms, Sobleski, Tanier, Tomlinson, No.

Asking Luck to live up to all he was supposed to be for Indianapolis was close to an impossible task, but he is everything we were told he’d be. As for the Seahawks, they have enough talent for a third consecutive trip, especially with the Packers losing Jordy Nelson, although I think in the big game, Indy's offense will have enough to edge by Seattle's always-impressive defense. There was a chance for that jam to get busted last week. Tom Brady is back but the secondary is nowhere to be found. Philadelphia doesn't take the NFC East, but makes playoffs anyway with 10 wins. After exacting revenge on Seattle, Green Bay rides the momentum, not to mention Aaron Rodgers' supreme efficiency and an underrated pass rush, to overmatch New England. The Seattle Seahawks have traveled to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers each of the past three seasons.

Colleen Wolfe: Dallas Cowboys. The AFC West is tougher, but the additions of Jimmy Graham and Tyler Lockett pay huge dividends down the stretch. The New England Patriots face a Baltimore Ravens squad that has relished the role of David in the playoffs in recent years. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories |

NFC South jokes are easy, but New Orleans will thrive after putting Drew Brees into a Cowboys-esque run-heavy attack. Luck's time is coming, but not if Brady has anything to say about it this year. Judy Battista: Dallas Cowboys. We've discussed superstars on both sides of the ball, from Aaron Rodgers to Richard Sherman. As the Cowboys struggle along with the rest of the NFC East, the Eagles' comeback on Sunday night has them leading the division with a 1-2-1 record.

Next man up! The Sam Bradford acquisition pays dividends for a prolific offense.

So many changes with coaches being terminated and players retiring or being let go for off-field issues that it is hard to see the bright side. 2 Green Pay Packers (13-4) at No. They're always physically and mentally ready. However, the leading vote-getter was Indianapolis Colts wideout Donte Moncrief. 267.1 — Yards per game allowed by Seattle's defense this season, by far the fewest in the NFL. Moncrief was on the receiving end of a 36-yard scoring strike from Andrew Luck in last week's win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but the youngster told Stephen Holder of The Indianapolis Star that he still has loads to learn: "Learning defenses, learning how to release (off the line of scrimmage), how to be patient," Moncrief cites some of the lessons he's had to learn.

If the Patriots can get the ground game going after a historically bad outing last week, they should be able to notch a trip to their sixth Super Bowl since 2001. NFC East Lead Writer Brad Gagnon feels that beating the Pats on the road is a more difficult task than winning in Denver: In January, and with Peyton Manning's playoff track record as well as his injury factored in, winning in Denver isn't tantamount to winning in Foxborough. The additions of Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory give the D a devastating set of bookend rushers to attack QBs from the edges. Michael Silver: St. Louis Rams. That from a player with a .700 winning percentage in the regular season. That opportunity should present itself on Sunday. He's pretty good.

They finish up the season with two home games against the Saints and Panthers and heading into those games a 6-8 record could be good enough to give them a chance. However, the vast majority of our panel sided with the Seahawks.

In fact, three of the weekend's four contests received multiple "upset alert" nods. On Sunday in Seattle, a player many consider the best in the game at his position will face off against the league's best defense. Jeffri Chadiha: Seahawks. It isn't the Lombardi, mind you. Brian Billick: Panthers.

If NFL National Lead Writer Ty Schalter is correct in his prediction, then the biggest mismatch of the divisional round can be found in the weekend's first game: Even after Baltimore’s front seven made mincemeat of Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers, it seems no one’s giving them a chance against Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Against an Indy defense that ranked 18th in the NFL against the run in 2014, the panel's money is on Anderson outdueling the Colts' Dan Herron—and every other running back playing in the divisional round. However, none will compare to Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant. “So I'm going to do everything I can to make sure I can play all those minutes.”.

15.9 — Points per game allowed, another league best for Seattle's defense, though just off last year's mark of 14.4 points per game.

And then there were four. Among them was NFL National Lead Writer Mike Tanier: 'Blowout' can be a tricky term.

(Hilton), Reggie (Wayne) and Hakeem (Nicks) and how they play without the ball in their hands. D'Qwell Jackson has also struggled to cover tight ends. Elliot Harrison: Panthers.

On many levels, it's a curious choice. If neither team can establish a balanced attack, that's where the Patriots eventually gain an edge. No other team held opponents under 300 yards per game. $1,000, winner takes all. The offense can put up a 30 spot on any team but the defense struggles in the big games. Aaron Rodgers will spread the ball around to the other pass catchers, and Eddie Lacy will steamroll people again. Chip Kelly proves he is a genius with improvement from every area of his team. But their strengths lie along their O-line and their defensive front seven, making them built for success into January and February. This offense, directed by virtuoso Aaron Rodgers, is too loaded; the o-line too dominant, both at protecting No.

However, Kruse is alone on that bandwagon. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts (2 votes), Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina Panthers (1 vote), Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens (1 vote). Jeffri Chadiha: Packers. Three writers expect Sherman to do just that, enough for the All-Pro to carry the day in this spread-out vote. Judy Battista: Seattle Seahawks. For all the talk about Chip's moves on offense, Philly's D might actually end up being the best in the division. A rookie quarterback means growing pains.

Teams have scored 3, 3, 14, 7, 6 and 6 points in the past six games against the Seahawks. While not flawless, their level of execution in all three phases has been impressive. 1 Seattle Seahawks (13-4), Last Meeting: Week 1 (Seahawks 36, Packers 16). Even as we watch the ascendancy of Andrew Luck into elite quarterback status, the Colts signal-caller simply falls short on experience. You already know. Others receiving votes: Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers (4 votes), Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts (2 votes), T.Y. The option is a notorious playoff bugbear for the Packers since Colin Kaepernick torched them a few years ago. Bucky Brooks: Cowboys.

The increased scoring from the offense and special teams complements a suffocating defense. Davante Adams eases the sting of Jordy Nelson’s absence. If you encounter any issues, please contact us about them. The divisional competition is strong, but Aaron Rodgers is just too good.

The divisional round contains a who's who of the NFL's elite players at the wide receiver position: Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys, T.Y.

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