NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Predicting AFC and NFC Divisional-Round Matchups

Sure, the playoffs haven't even started yet, but it's hard not to look ahead to what could be some thrilling divisional-round matchups.

Forget Tim Tebow vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. That will end in disaster for the Denver Broncos.

Forget the Detroit Lions vs. the New Orleans Saints. The Lions aren't ready for Drew Brees and Co. at this point.

Let us look ahead to the divisional round and salivate at the thought of some great football.

AFC

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots

After the Steelers dispose of the Broncos, they'll head to Foxboro to face the vaunted New England Patriots.

The Patriots, behind that guy named Tom Brady, have won their last eight games. They've had some close ones against unlikely challenges like the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins, but this team's offense always seems to bail out its pass defense.

Everyone talks about the Patriots' forgiving pass defense, but despite being second-to-last in passing yards per game, remember that the Patriots were third-to-last last season. Sure, the defense has given up more passing yards per game this season, but so has most of the league as a whole in what has largely been a pass-happy season.

The Steelers have a very good defense, but they don't have the offense to keep up with the Patriots. I see this going to the Patriots in Foxboro.

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

I see the Texans barely edging the upstart Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card Round based on their defense, but things won't be as peachy against the Ravens in Baltimore.

While the Ravens have been somewhat inconsistent this season, I don't see them coming into the playoffs unmotivated. They have a dominant defense that will cause fits for Texans rookie quarterback T.J. Yates and they have a better offense than the Bengals.

Expect the Ravens to win this one.

NFC

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers

If this was the same Giants team as four seasons ago, the same one that won the Super Bowl, I'd think they'd have a shot at knocking off the Packers in Green Bay.

But this is 2012, and the Giants aren't the same team as before.

The Giants are riding a big hot streak, winning their last two games against the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys, and that's the reason I see them beating the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card Round.

But I still have concerns that this team is just too inconsistent to make a legitimate run in the playoffs. Even with the team's dominant pass rush, the Giants have still given up 25.0 points per game this season. I just don't see that working out against the Packers.

It also helps the Packers' case that they're 8-0 at home this season.

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers

While the Steelers at the Patriots should be the AFC Game of the Week during the divisional round, this should be the NFC Game of the Week.

There are so many things to like about this matchup. The Saints have an explosive offense while the 49ers have a dominant defense allowing just 14.3 points per game this season. Plus, the 49ers have a much-improved offense due to the emergence of receiver Michael Crabtree and better play-calling in general.

Watching Drew Brees go up against this defense in an away game should be a joy to watch, on both sides of the ball.

In the end, it's a close call, but I'm giving it to the Saints. I just think Brees is too good this season. The Saints have won eight in a row and have scored a combined 132 points in their last three games.