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NFL divisional round playoff capsules

Summarizing Ravens-Patriots, Panthers-Seahawks, Cowboys-Packers and Colts-Broncos.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) looks for a receiver in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) looks for a receiver in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)Read more

Baltimore Ravens (10-6) at New England Patriots (12-4)

When: Tomorrow, 4:35 p.m.

TV: NBC10

Radio: 94WIP

Line: Patriots -7; over/under 47.5

AFC seeds: No. 6 Ravens, No. 1 Patriots

About the Ravens: Their wild-card win over the Steelers began as a typical AFC North slop-fest with a 10-9 halftime score. But, the Ravens showed some signs of life in the second half, scoring 20 points, including two Joe Flacco touchdown passes. Baltimore will need that second-half Flacco, the one capable of putting together an 11-touchdown, zero-interception Super Bowl-winning run, to counterbalance Tom Brady and New England's offensive attack.

About the Patriots: New England's embarrassing 41-14 "Monday Night Football" loss to the Chiefs in Week 4 lead to questions about Tom Brady's decline. Brady quelled those critics with a 29-touchdown, seven-interception performance in the Patriots' ensuing 12 games. It's just become so hard to envision the AFC Championship Game without Brady and head coach Bill Belichick wearing his trademark sweatshirt on the sideline, as they've made it each of the last three seasons and eight of the last 13.

Quick statistic: Rob Gronkowski's 4,379 receiving yards over the first five seasons of his career are the third most ever for a tight end in that stage of his career, trailing only Jimmy Graham and Kellen Winslow.

Pick: Patriots, 27-24

Carolina Panthers (7-8-1) at Seattle Seahawks (12-4)

When: Tomorrow, 8:15 p.m.

TV: FOX29

Radio: 94WIP

Line: Seahawks -11; over/under 40

NFC seeds: No. 4 Panthers, No. 1 Seahawks

About the Panthers: The Panthers, who finished 7-8-1 in the regular season, beat Arizona, 27-16 in the wild-card round. While the Panthers had built a successful run defense around linebacker Luke Kuechly last season, that unit has plummeted in production in 2014 amid Carolina's overall lackluster season, ranking 22nd in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA (Defensive-adjusted Value Over Average). That could prove worrisome against Marshawn Lynch.

About the Seahawks: They have rebounded after a rocky start to the season that left them 3-3 heading into Week 8, allowing them to capture homefield advantage at CenturyLink Field. The NFL's best defense, which yielded the fewest yards in the league this year and was the top-ranked unit according to Football Outsiders' DVOA shouldn't have much of an issue containing quarterback Cam Newton and Panthers head coach Ron Rivera's offense.

Quick statistic: The last time the Seahawks lost a home playoff game was Jan. 8, 2005 (7-0 since). That was 12 days before George W. Bush began his second term as president.

Pick: Seahawks, 24-7

Dallas Cowboys (12-4) at Green Bay Packers (12-4)

When: Sunday, 1:05 p.m.

TV: FOX29

Radio: 94WIP

Line: Packers 6; over/under 53

NFC Seeds: No. 3 Cowboys. No. 2 Packers.

About the Cowboys: Shaky officiating marred Dallas' home victory over Detroit in the opening round of the playoffs, but the Cowboys still had enough positive performances to be hopeful about their chances at Lambeau Field. Tony Romo, continuing to eschew the foolish choker narrative that surrounds him, threw for 293 yards (a dominant 9.5 yards per attempt) and a pair of touchdowns against the Lions. Even more importantly, Romo was turnover free. The last thing a team wants to be doing on the road against the Packers is giving Aaron Rodgers extra opportunities.

About the Packers: Green Bay's biggest concern is Aaron Rodgers' health; he reportedly has a slight tear in his left calf. While Rodgers says he'll play, the injury could hamper the elusiveness that allows him to sling the ball from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage. If Rodgers can be even close to 100 percent, he should be able to pick apart the Cowboys who surrender the fifth-most net yards per passing attempts, according to Pro-Football Reference.

Quick statistic: Rodgers is the NFL's all-time leader in passer rating (minimum 1,500 attempts) with a rating of 106.0, per Pro-Football Reference. His playoff passer rating of 103.1 is the second highest ever, trailing only former Packers great Bart Starr at 104.8.

Pick: Packers, 28-17

Indianapolis Colts (11-5) at Denver Broncos (12-4)

When: Sunday, 4:40 p.m.

TV: CBS3

Radio: 94WIP

Line: Broncos -7; over/under 54

AFC seeds: No. 4 Colts. No. 2 Broncos.

About the Colts: Indianapolis had leaned on the arm of golden boy quarterback Andrew Luck all season heading into its wild-card matchup with Cincinnati last week. He didn't let the Colts down, tossing for 376 yards, good for an outstanding 8.5 yards per attempt, and a touchdown in a comfortable 16-point win. Denver, however, presents a much more difficult defensive assignment for Luck this week. The Broncos had the fourth-best defense this season according to Football Outsiders' DVOA after coming in as just a league-average defense in 2013.

About the Broncos: While Peyton Manning deserves praise and credit for transforming Denver's offensive attack since coming to the Broncos in 2012, a pleasant surprise for the team this season has been its running game, led by undrafted second-year back C.J. Anderson. In the last eight games, he's gained 767 yards on the ground on 4.7 yards per carry, to go along with 10 total touchdowns. If Indianapolis comes out in dime or nickel coverage to stop Manning, Denver can simply pound the ball with Anderson and exploit any mismatchs.

Quick statistic: What Manning lacks in breakaway speed he makes up with nimble footwork in the pocket. Manning had the lowest sack rate (2.8 percent) for the fifth time in his career.

Pick: Broncos, 35-17

- Shamus Clancy