NFL Playoff Picture: Complete Postseason Matchup Scenarios

With the 2012 NFL playoffs set in stone, let's run through some quick predictions of each Wild Card game and also the resulting matchups of the rest of the postseason.

WILD CARD ROUND

Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints

In a game that should light up the scoreboard, I'm going with the history-making offense. Drew Brees and the Saints are almost unbeatable at home in the Superdome, too.

Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants

Who in their right mind wants to play the Giants right now, especially at MetLife Stadium? They've gotten hot at exactly the perfect time, a la 2007. 

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

The Broncos are the worst team in the postseason field and will throw a gadget offense at one of the game's best defensive coordinators in Dick LeBeau. Good luck. Two touchdowns could seal this game for the Steelers early.

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans

After three Texans' losses to end the regular season, a lot of people will be tempted to pick the Bengals to go on the road and win in Houston. But don't forget, the Texans' 10th (and final) win of the regular season came in Cincinnati against the Bengals. Texans advance. 

DIVISIONAL ROUND

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers

The last time a playoff game was played at Lambeau Field, the Giants were the ones headed to the Super Bowl. Four years later, the Packers get their revenge in another close contest between these two teams. 

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers

Which prevails: The NFL's best offense or defense? We'll get to find out in this matchup. In the end, the enormous difference at the quarterback position decides the winner. Saints move on.

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots

Tom Brady has historically owned the Steelers' defense, but that wasn't the case earlier this season. The Steelers beat up the Patriots offense again, knocking New England out of the playoffs in the Divisional round for the second-straight season. 

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

The Texans simply don't have enough at the quarterback position to go to Baltimore and win a playoff game. Steelers-Ravens again in the postseason.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers

The NFL's two highest-scoring offenses meet in a rematch of the season opener. What has changed to think the result will be any different? Yards and points will be aplenty, but the Packers get one or two turnovers from Drew Brees that turn the tides. Green Bay goes back to the Super Bowl.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens got a clean sweep of the Steelers in the regular season, so there's reason to think they could finally break through against their arch rivals in the postseason. Not so fast. The Steelers have weapons in the passing game to make this a vertical affair. Baltimore's offense can't keep up.

SUPER BOWL

Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

This probably isn't the Super Bowl that people want to see, especially with so many viable teams in this year's playoff field. Too bad. The Steelers, who run through the playoffs unscathed on the road, repay the Packers in the Super Bowl by winning their seventh Lombardi trophy.