NFL Playoff Scenarios: Teams the Green Bay Packers Should Be Scared to Face

The Green Bay Packers have proven that they are clearly the best team in the NFL this season. There's absolutely no question about that. They have clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and will be able to give their starters basically two weeks of rest before they have to compete. 

Still, though, all bets are off during the playoffs. Teams you assume have no chance will make magical runs. Just look at the Packers from last year. Anything can happen. 

So, although the Pack are clear favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champions, there are some teams they certainly don't want to face on their road to Indianapolis. 

Here's a look at three of them.

New York Giants

The Giants have been about as inconsistent as it gets, but when they are "on," they are tough to beat. 

Eli Manning certainly isn't Aaron Rodgers, but he has put together a Pro Bowl-type season (4,587 yards, 26 touchdowns, 16 interceptions) and the Giants offense can absolutely light it up. This game would likely turn into a shootout, and I have no doubt New York would at least be able to keep up. 

On the defensive side of the ball, New York has battled through injuries, but they have some talented players who can make big plays. The Giants will only get in by winning their division, but I see a lot of similarities between this team and last year's Packers team.

Throw in the fact that NYG has been better on the road this year than at home, and you have yourself a dangerous matchup. 

New Orleans Saints

Speaking of teams that can keep up in a shootout, the Saints are pretty solid on the offensive side of the ball. 

Drew Brees is the new record-holder for passing yards in a season, and that's all you really need to know. New Orleans, like Green Bay, has a bevy of offensive weapons, but they also have a solid run game to turn to if need be. 

Week 1 between these two teams was a thriller, as Green Bay came out on top 42-34. I'm guessing Packers fans wouldn't be too excited about a rematch, especially with how white-hot New Orleans has been the past couple of weeks. 

As a neutral fan, I'd love to see it. 

San Francisco 49ers

Unlike the other two teams who have similar strengths to the Packers, the 49ers are completely opposite. They have a dominating defense and hope every game is in the teens. 

Alex Smith isn't close to the level of Rodgers or Brees, but he doesn't need to be. He just needs to manage the game, as they say, and that's what he has done. His defense has done the rest. 

Green Bay's defense really capitalizes on turnovers, so that makes Smith, who rarely turns the ball over, a fairly tough matchup.

Still, though, it's San Fran's defense that would really make this a good game. The 49ers have been more susceptible through the air than the run, however, so that's a good sign for Green Bay.

San Fran may be the No. 2 seed, but they should scare the Packers the least out of these three teams.