NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Projecting Conference Championship Matchups

Now that the 2012 NFL playoffs are right around the corner, it's only a matter of time before championship weekend is upon us and the right to play in Super Bowl XLVI is at stake.

By that token of excitement, here are the predicted conference championship games in late January.

AFC Championship: Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

Once again the Ravens and Patriots meet in New England in the playoffs, only this time it's for a trip to the Super Bowl.

Baltimore did so thanks to a second home win over Houston and the Pats avenged their regular season loss to overcome the Pittsburgh Steelers. As for this game, New England's passing game and Tom Brady's protection will be challenged by the Ravens' front seven pass rush and safety Ed Reed.

Fortunately for New England, no one in Baltimore can cover Rob Gronkowski singled-up and Wes Welker is no cakewalk for anyone against him mano-a-mano. That being said, it simply comes down to the Ravens' pass rush in slowing down the Patriots.

We know Baltimore will move the ball on New England's weak pass defense and their lack of a pass rush, however, the Ravens will have trouble scoring inside the red-zone. The Pats may give up yards but they don't give up nearly as many points by correlation.

Which brings us back to the Ravens' pass rush. New England will score TDs, not field-goals, when inside the red-zone. They're balanced with a running game that averages four yards per carry.

Add in Joe Flacco's consistently weak outings in the postseason and New England will force him to out-perform Tom Brady as the Pats zero in on Ray Rice.

NFC Championship: San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers

Old NFC playoffs rivals clash once again on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.

What's great about the rivalry this time around is the number of new faces to a generation long rivalry. The game will come down to the 49ers' rush offense versus the Packers' passing offense.

Green Bay will struggle somewhat in shutting down Frank Gore but expect them to keep eight defenders in the box to isolate him. In turn, the cheese will want to force the Niners' offense into the hands of Alex Smith.

With a depleted receiving corps for San Fran, it's quite possible that Green Bay has a field day feasting on turnovers once again. The underrated mobility of Alex Smith will be the difference for Frisco's offense.

As for Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers will elude the San Fran pass rush enough to be effective. The problem lies in the weather conditions and the 49ers' front four (not the front seven). Without a doubt San Fran will pressure Rodgers, but the Niners' pass defense isn't good enough to slow down the Pack while constantly blitzing (as they'll be in a lot of single coverage situations).

They need coverage sacks and anytime Green Bay runs the ball they must render it completely obsolete. But if this game gets into Alex Smith versus Aaron Rodgers early on, the odds quickly and heavily favor Green Bay.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter