The NFL playoffs are officially here.A wild season ended with Mike Tomlin and Reggie Nelson screaming at each otheron Sunday night, and tensions are only going to continue to heat up on the road to Glendale.Let's take a look at what awaits in what should be a thrilling Wild Card Round.NFL Postseason PictureNFC Wild Card OutlookDetroit at Dallas is arguably the most enticing matchup of the weekend.It's a case of unstoppable force vs. immovable object, and that battle begins and ends in the trenches.DeMarco Murray has enjoyed an unbelievable season, running for a Cowboys-record 1,845 rushing yards. Explosive, powerful and elusive, he deserves all the credit he receives, but the offensive line, which has punished opponents all season long, warrants just as much praise.Murray would be the first to admit that, as he was quick to divert the attention away from himself,via theStar-Telegram's Charean Williams:It feels good, you know. Obviously, a lot of people had a lot of helping hands in thiscoaches, obviously the offensive line a huge factor and the tight ends, quarterbacks, receivers, fullbacks. Its an honor for us to take the record, and were excited about it.The Cowboys rank second in Football Outsiders' run blocking rankings, but this will stand as one of their biggest tests of the season.Detroit is first in the NFL in rushing yards allowedper attempt, first in rushing yards per game allowed and first in Football Outsiders' run defense rankings. The absence of Nick Fairley is important, but this unit is incredibly stout.With so many talented skill playersMurray, Dez Bryant, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tateand a pair of entertaining gunslingers, this one could, interestingly enough, be decided by the big uglies in the middle.The NFC's other matchup isn't quite as alluring.Arizona, decimated by injuries, is reeling, while the Carolina Panthers are coming out of the anemic South division. Despite winning just seven games on the season, though, the latter enters as the favorite, per Rotoworld's Adam Levitan:The Panthers have won four in a row, the running game is clicking under Jonathan Stewart and Cam Newton, the defense hasn't allowed more than 20 points in a game in December and they will be at home.Arizona has been resilient all season, but Bruce Arians' squad may be in major trouble.AFC Wild Card OutlookThe Pittsburgh Steelers are red-hot. They have won four in a row and are scoring 29 points per game over the span. But a knee injury to Le'Veon Bell is potentially crippling.Mike Tomlin provided an update after the game, via NFL Network's Albert Breer:Got a hyperextension on LeVeon Bells knee. Structurally it appears to be fine. Well see if hell be available to us here for the next game. Obviously well gather more significant information as we proceed through the week, but no journey is without adversity. Were thankful that its not anything major.At full strength, Pittsburgh should have no trouble beating the Baltimore Ravens at home. They won by 20 at Heinz Field in early November and have played much better over the last month. But if Bell is out, the Steelers suddenly become one-dimensional on offense.That dimension, led by Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, is a pretty dang good one, but the injury to Bell makes this a considerably more even matchup.In the other game, the difference will be quarterback play, as Jacksonville Jaguars announcer Frank Frangie alluded to:The black sheep in that group' That would be Andy Dalton, who is 0-3 in the postseason, has a 1-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio in those games and has constantly been criticized for his play under the spotlight.And opposing him will be Andrew Luck, who is kind of good at football:The Cincinnati Bengals need to lean on Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard and the running game if they hope to have any chance in this one. The duo combined for just 32 yards on 11 carries in a 27-0 loss to Indy earlier in the year, and they are too talented not to touch the ball at least 30 combined times.Even if that happens though, it's tough to bet against Luck.
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