With the final week of the 2014 NFL season in the books, the playoff picture is finally set.
On the NFC side of things, the Detroit Lions (11-5) will travel to Jerry World to take on the Dallas Cowboys (12-4). In the other game, the winner -- if you can call it that -- of the NFC South, the Carolina Panthers (7-8-1) will host the Arizona Cardinals (11-5). This will be the second time in recent memory that a team that has won double digit games has traveled to play a division winner that has a sub-.500 record.
In the AFC, Wildcard Weekend will be dominated by the AFC North, with the Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers all earning playoff berths, and all being in action.
With Pittsburgh beating the Cincinnati Bengals, the Steelers will host the Ravens as they once again meet in a post season showdown. The potential exists that because of a knee injury to Le'Veon Bell, the Steelers could wind up signing Ray Rice, to add intrigue to a game already steeped in a storied rivalry.
Meanwhile the Bengals will be traveling to Indianapolis to face Andrew Luck and the Colts. Both teams are dealing with some significant injuries. As well, both Andy Dalton and Andrew Luck have had issues in big games. This game could have fireworks long before the final whistle blows.
Full Playoff Schedule
Wild Card Weekend (Jan. 3-4)
AFC
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens (January 3rd, 8:15 p.m. EST, NBC)
Indianapolis Colts vs Cincinnati Bengals (January 4th, 1:15 p.m. EST, CBS)
NFC
Panthers vs Cardinals (January 3rd, 4:35 p.m. EST, ESPN)
Cowboys vs Lions (January 4th, 4:40 p.m. EST, Fox)
Divisional Round (Jan. 10-11)
AFC
New England Patriots vs Lowest Winning Seed From Wild Card Round (January 10th, 4:35 p.m. EST, NBC)
Denver Broncos vs Highest Winning Seed From Wild Card Round (January 11th, 4:40 p.m. EST, CBS)
NFC
Seattle Seahawks vs Lowest Winning Seed From Wild Card Round (January 10th, 8:15 p.m. EST, Fox)
Green Bay Packers vs Highest Winning Seed From Wild Card Round (January 11th, 1:05 p.m. EST, CBS)
Conference Championship (Jan. 18th)
NFC - 3:05 p.m. EST (Fox)
AFC - 8:15 p.m. EST (CBS)
Superbowl (Feb. 1st)
AFC Champion vs NFC Champion - 6:30 p.m. EST (NBC)