NFL Playoff Bracket 2012: Teams with Toughest Roads to Super Bowl

No matter who you are, the road to the Super Bowl is tough. Let's just get that straight. 

What's more, it's obviously extremely hard for any No. 5 or No. 6 seed to make it to the Super Bowl, although it has happened before. Because of that, I'm not putting the Lions or Broncos on this list. They are too obvious.

Instead, this is just a look at legitimate, realistic Super Bowl contenders that have the hardest path to the promised land in Indianapolis. 

San Francisco 49ers

They have a first-round bye, so the road is that much easier than most wild-card teams, but the two games San Fran will likely have to play to get to the Super Bowl are going to be tough. 

Assuming New Orleans takes care of Detroit in the Wild Card Round, the 49ers will host the Saints in the Divisional Round. 

And if San Francisco gets by the Saints, the Packers—at home—likely await.

That's two explosive offenses the Niners will have to knock off. Two teams that match up directly opposite of them. Two games of "top defense vs. top offense."

San Francisco has a very good defense, but a Super Bowl appearance will be tough. 

New England Patriots

Assuming Houston and Pittsburgh—the two favorites—win in the Wild Card Round, the Pats will have to host the Steelers.

You may remember that Pittsburgh knocked off the Patriots earlier this year, as they possess a style of play that keeps Tom Brady off the field. They also have a menacing defense.

If the Pats somehow get revenge and win that one, then they'll likely have to go up against Baltimore. The Ravens, by the way, beat the Steelers twice during the regular season. 

New England may have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, but those are two very dangerous games. 

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are a slight underdog this weekend at New York against the Giants, but I think they'll pull the upset.

If they manage to get past that game, they'll probably get the present of going to Lambeau to face the Green Bay Packers, and potentially another road game at New Orleans.

That's a hard road for any team, period—but for the Falcons especially.

Since Week 5, Atlanta has only lost four times. Three of those have come against Green Bay and New Orleans.

That spells trouble for Atlanta. 

This Weekend's Playoff Schedule

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans, Sat 1/7, 4:30 PM ET

Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints, Sat 1/7, 8:00 PM ET

Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants, Sun 1/8, 1:00 PM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos, Sun 1/8, 4:30 PM ET

New England Patriots: Bye

Baltimore Ravens: Bye

Green Bay Packers: Bye

San Francisco 49ers: Bye