NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Matchups That Will Make This an Unforgettable Playoff

If things work out right, this could be one of the most exciting and unique playoffs in NFL history. The potential is there. It is just up to the right teams advancing. 

This playoff has a little of everything: high-profile players and coaches, hard-hitting dominant defenses, and unstoppable high-scoring offenses. 

These are the matchups that would push this playoffs over the top. 

Steelers vs. Ravens

This is the best rivalry in the NFL for the past decade. These are two professional and fierce teams that like to hit and win games with defense. 

Any time these two teams meet it is must-watch TV, and when they meet in the playoffs it is just a bonus. These two met in the divisional round last year, and played a thrilling and surprisingly high-scoring game that the Steelers won 31-24.

While the score was high, the production was not. Pittsburgh outgained Baltimore 263 yards to 126. 

Baltimore blew out Pittsburgh in the first week of the season, but that was a fluke that likely can be attributed to the disjointed offseason. These two had a much more typical game the second time they met that Baltimore won, 23-20, with a late TD pass

A playoff match between these two would undoubtedly give us another epic defensive battle, and that would serve as a foil for the next two matchups, which are all about defense. 

Saints vs. Packers

We all got a taste of the potential of this matchup in the first game of this NFL season. Green Bay won that game 42-34. There were 876 yards of offense in that game. 

There is nothing that has transpired over the course of the season to suggest a second matchup between these two would be anything less thrilling. 

This game would be an offensive shootout led by Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, who will likely finish first and second in the MVP voting. 

Sign me up. I'm ready for Round 2. 

Patriots vs. Packers

The highest scoring Super Bowl was 75 points. This one would beat that, and it would be a lot more competitive. 

The water mark for points came when the 49ers beat the Chargers 49-26 in Super Bowl 29. 

This matchup would cross the 80-point barrier. It certainly wouldn't feature the best defense, but it would feature plenty of yards and highlight-worthy plays. 

The Patriots and Packers are second and third respectively in total offense, and 31st and 32nd respectively in total defense.

The Super Bowl has never seen anything close to matchup like this. This game would have a very real chance of breaking the 1,000-yard mark, and it would be an amazing way to end a wild season.