NFL Playoff Predictions: Looking into the Chase for the Lombardi Trophy

It's that time of the year: time to predict the playoff outcomes. Unfortunately these predictions aren't revised and published weekly, because I am sure to get a couple wrong along the way.

I don't pretend to be all-knowing, I just thought I would give predicting these rounds a shot:

- Wild Card Weekend

- Divisional Round

- Conference Championships

- Super Bowl XLVI

Wild Card Weekend

Ahh, the best time of the year is upon us and there is nothing quite like it. It's only fitting that I predict each game of the weekend.  Enjoy!

NFC

Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints: Two dome teams with excellent offenses. The Saints are coming into the game as one of the most dangerous teams in the league, with Drew Brees

 playing at a record-breaking level. 

On the other hand, the Detroit Lions are limping into the game after suffering their 20th consecutive loss to Green Bay at Lambeau, when they had a No. 5 seed there for the taking.  

Instead they let, not Aaron Rodgers

, but Matt Flynn

 put up a record breaking performance with 480 yards and six touchdowns!  Be afraid Lions, be very afraid.  

Atlanta Falcons @ New York Giants: I know the Giants are the home team, and they have a quarterback who has actually won playoff games and a Super Bowl, but this should be one of the more evenly matched games of the entire playoffs.  

I think the Falcons are letting out a huge sigh of relief after not having to return to the Superdome for the second time in three weeks, and will come in loose and ready to play.  The Falcons hold an advantage in the running game to control the clock, and when he is healthy, Julio Jones is a freak. The Falcons come in and give Matt Ryan his first playoff victory in a very close game.

AFC

Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans: Two rookie quarterbacks playing in the playoffs—a great story.  I have to lean towards the home team in this one.  But the Bengals may be feeling lucky after being defeated by the Ravens this week despite still making the playoffs.  

Texans fans have been waiting for this since 2002, and I think the home field will be the difference in this one.  Everything points to an early Texans exit, but I am sucker for a good story, so I like the Texans at home.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos: I don't care if God himself is out there directing the offense for the Broncos, the Steelers could have been the best No. 5 seed of all-time, but the loss of Mendenhall hurts, but still, they are better than the Broncos in every facet of the game.  

The fans may start off chanting "Te-Bow," but I can see that quickly turning into "No-Mo'" as a plea for leniency from the relentless Steelers defense and patchwork running game.

Divisional Round

NFC

Falcons @ Packers: The Falcons lost to the Packers earlier in the year at home. After watching the Packers beat the Lions without Aaron Rodgers, I just have to go with the better team. The Packers are just better...it's that simple.

Saints @ 49ers: As good of a job as Harbaugh and the 49ers have done this year, and as strong of a defense as they sport, I just don't see them stopping the Saints and scoring enough to win the ballgame. Drew Brees and Co. are playing better than anyone in the NFL right now, and the weather in San Francisco shouldn't serve as a deterrent.

AFC

Steelers @ Patriots: I think Tom Brady will be able to overcome the Patriot's porous defense, I just don't think he can keep it up all by himself past this game.  I really don't know what to make of the Steelers at this point.

Texans @ Ravens: This could be one of the biggest mismatches in divisional round history. Yates has done a commendable job after the injury to Schaub, but I think the Ravens are playing for much more.  The Texans have nothing to hang their head about. 

Conference Championships

NFC

Saints @ Packers:  I know I could sit and write about this game, and I probably will when it comes to fruition, but the only thing that can slow down the Saints is the cold.  The Packers are used to it—it gives them the edge.  Although I am a sucker for outdoor playoff games, this one would be much more fun to watch if it were indoors.

AFC

Ravens @ Patriots:  Like I said, Tom Brady can only do so much.  The Ravens aren't a good road team, however only one thought comes to my mind: 2010 at New England.

Super Bowl XLVI

SUPER BOWL XLVI

Ravens vs. Packers:  Since these are simply predictions, I think we are going to see the first repeat winner since the Patriots.  I have never seen a team prove so much in Week 17 as the Packers.

Of Course, these picks could all be shot to hell, but it sure was fun.......