NFL Playoff Scenarios: Matchups Between Contrasting Styles We Want to See

As Washington and Baylor showed us all last night, sometimes having the exact same team play against each other can be a good thing. 

Two great offenses and two bad defenses can give you an all-time classic thriller, but at some point, over 100 total points gets a little repetitive and ridiculous. 

It can be much better to watch an unstoppable force go up against an immovable object. Strength against strength. Not strength against weakness. 

With that being said, here's a look at three of those matchups we really want to see once the NFL playoffs roll around. 

Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers

This has to be No. 1 on everyone's list. The Packers have been absolutely unstoppable on the offensive side of the ball while the 49ers boast arguably the league's most intimidating defense. 

Can Navarro Bowman, Patrick Willis and company actually get enough pressure on Aaron Rodgers to slow him down?

Greg Jennings will likely be back by the time these two teams possibly meet, so Rodgers' offense will be a full strength.

Of course, it's more of the same on the other side of the ball. The Packers have been prone to giving up big plays, but the 49ers, behind Alex Smith, haven't been able to pull off many big plays.

These teams are complete opposites, and it would be a blast to watch them battle for the Super Bowl. 

New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Of course, we already saw this matchup earlier in the season, but it turned into an exciting finish and that's all you can really ask for. 

As far as the matchup we really want to see in this one, it's Tom Brady versus Pittsburgh's pass defense. Brady will likely hit 5,000 yards on the season to go along with his current 36 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions.

On the other side of the ball, Pittsburgh has been, by far and away, the best team in the NFL against the pass. The Steelers are allowing just 172 yards per game and 5.3 yards per attempt. Both of those are best in the NFL. 

Brady was held to just 198 yards in the first meeting, but that's partly because Pittsburgh simply kept him off the field. I'm ready to see what he can do against this vaunted defense in January. 

New England Patriots vs San Francisco 49ers

Might as well combine the first two matchups for an even bigger battle. The Patriots have actually been a little better through the air this year than the Packers, averaging about 20 more yards per game, so that makes the matchup against San Fran's defense even more exciting.

What's even more, New England's defense has also been worse than Green Bay's, so San Francisco stands more of a chance there. 

San Francisco is third in the NFL in rushing attempts while New England gives up a stout 4.6 yards per carry.

Simply put, there are mismatches just like that everywhere in this one, and it would be fun to see who could take advantage. If anyone.