NFL Playoffs Predictions: Are the Green Bay Packers Going to the Super Bowl?

This season was great. We had drama in Indianapolis, some of the best quarterback play ever, and exciting division races all the way up to the final week of the season. Just think, a few months ago the season was in jeopardy. 

Some of the biggest surprises this year were the San Francisco 49ers, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions all making it into the playoffs, while teams like the Packers, Patriots and Ravens are right were we expected them to be. 

Every year there is always one team that rises up and makes a deep run in the playoffs. Will that happen again? It might. 

Here are the playoff matchups and my predictions for how they will shape up. 

AFC Wild Card Round

No. 6 Cincinnati Bengals at No. 3 Houston Texans

Saturday, January 7th at 4.30 pm

The Houston Texans had a great year. They had one of the best defenses in football, and an elite running game. That being said, they have been devastated at the QB position. If they had a reliable quarterback in the mix, I'd pick them to go far. 

Cincinnati is a hard-nosed running team with a good young quarterback at the helm. I see this being Andy Dalton's shining moment after losing the spotlight to Cam Newton all year.

Cincy wins 27-20

No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 4 Denver Broncos

Sunday, January 8th at 4.30 pm

The Broncos creeped in the back door of the playoffs, and that is entirely because of their six-game winning streak. Since then, they have been exposed as a team with a good young defense, a strong running game and absolutely no passing game to speak of. That is a glaring weakness for a playoff team. 

The Steelers have injuries at quarterback and running back, and their offense hasn't been scoring since Ben's been hurt. The Steelers may be hobbling into the playoffs, but no matter, they are experienced enough to handle the problems and smart enough keep Denver's offense from getting ahead. 

Pitt win 20-9

AFC Divisional Round

No. 6 Cincinnati Bengals at No. 1 New England Patriots

Saturday, January 7th at 8.00 pm

The Bengals have a lot to look forward to in their future. This game is not one of them.

Tom Brady and the Patriots have been unstoppable this year, and I don't think the rookies can score at the same pace. The Patriots defense has to play better if they want to accomplish their ultimate goal of winning another Superbowl. Luckily for them, the Bengals do not have an elite offense. 

Pats win 34-17

No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 2 Baltimore Ravens

Sunday, January 8th at 1.00 pm

Who isn't looking forward to this re-re-match. The Steelers lost both games to the Ravens and you know they are looking for revenge. However, the Ravens had the luxury of a week off and they host the game. These two teams are so similar that you can't ever predict what is going to happen. One or two plays either way will decide the game. 

If Ben is healthy I trust him more than Joe Flacco, and I give the Steelers the edge. But I doubt Ben will be A-Ok. The Ravens have been struggling to get a home playoff game for years. They finally get it this year. It helps. 

Ravens win 20-14 

AFC Championship Round

No. 2 Baltimore Ravens at No. 1 New England Patriots

The Ravens have been up and down this season, and just when you think they are ready to announce themselves as a great team, they let you down. Part of the problem is Joe Flacco. He is a good game manager, but he has trouble leading the team to score often.The Patriots on the other hand have no problem scoring, but they struggle to stop the opposing offense. 

If Baltimore can score early AND (and that is a big and) stop the Patriots from scoring a lot in the first half, then they have a great chance to keep it close. If it is close, I see the Ravens getting the win. But I don't think it will be that close. 

Once the Brady train starts rolling, it is unstoppable. 

Patriots 34-20

NFC Wild Card Round

No. 6 Detroit Lions at No. 3 New Orleans Saints

Saturday, January 7th at 8.00 pm

This looks like the best game in the first round of the playoffs. I don't know if it will be the closest game, but it will be high scoring with Drew Brees, who just had one of the best seasons ever, and Matthew Stafford, who took this year to announce that he might be the next elite quarterback. 

As good as Stafford and the Lions are playing this year, the playoffs were the goal, and they already accomplished it, while the Saints have bigger and better things to attend to. 

Saints 45-36

No. 5 Atlanta Falcons at No. 4 New York Giants

Sunday, January 8th at 1.00 pm

This game feels irrelevant to me (although both teams are capable of making a run). Whichever team wins will have a bit of momentum and have to go to Green Bay, and I don't see either of them having much of a chance there.

But, for this week, I think it will be a pretty even match. Both teams had high expectations for the season and didn't quite live up to them. They both have a chance to change their fortunes. 

The Giants were in this position recently and handled it well. The Falcons dropped a bomb last year in their only playoff game. Giants are at home, and I give them the edge. 

Giants win 24-21

NFC Divisional Round

No. 3 New Orleans Saints at No. 2 San Francisco 49ers

Saturday, January 7th at 4.30 pm

This is a game between an immovable object and an irresistible force. The Saints offense is epic, while the 49ers defense has been stout all season long.

One of them has to give. In the end, I just don't think the 49ers can stop the Saints all game long. With Drew Brees and about a dozen other skill players ready to attack, who do you try and stop? 

As good as the 49ers have been, Alex Smith hasn't been able to throw for 300 yards in a game yet this season. He may do so this game, but only because he'll be playing from behind. 

Saints win 31-20

No. 4 New York Giants at No. 1 Green Bay Packers

Sunday, January 8th at 4.30 pm

The Packers worked hard to get a chance to play at home after playing every game on the road during their championship playoff season. Whether on the road or at home, the Packers are the better team. 

The one thing the Giants have going for them is their unlikely run to the Super Bowl a few years back was very similar to this situation. They have hope, and that counts for a lot. 

But, the Packers have Aaron Rodgers and that counts for a lot as well. 

Packers win 38-20

NFC Championship Round

No. 3 New Orleans Saints at No. 1 Green Bay Packers

This might be the most exciting game of the year. In fact, if you look at each QB's regular season, you could make the argument that they each had the best statistical year a quarterback has ever had. 

The Packers dominated throughout the year and nearly walked away with a perfect season. The Saints, on the other hand, have been the most dominant team in the latter half of the season. 

As good as their offenses have been, the defenses rank amongst the worst in the NFL. This game is going to be a shootout, and it's going to be exciting. Pray for sun. 

The Packers did well to defend their championship, but the Saints are just too stacked on offense. 

Saints win 41-37

Super Bowl: New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots

Super Bowl XLVI - Indianpolis, IN

New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots

As good as the matchup was between Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, this meeting with Tom Brady will be just as exciting. The two teams are eerily similar with great quarterbacks, amazing young tight ends that dominate opposing defenses and a plethora of offensive weapons. Of course, they also have bad defenses. 

One team, however has two advantages: a strong running game and (this is very important) a defense that has made big plays, forced turnovers and has been in this exact same position just a couple of years ago. 

Drew Brees may not have won the regular season MVP, but this one is much more fulfilling. Brees for Super Bowl MVP. 

New Orleans Saints win Super Bowl 48-40