NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Ranking Best Possible Divisional Round Matchups

The NFL's Wild Card Round begins today, as the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans will ease us into a postseason that is sure to be a memorable one.

But I'd rather not talk about the here and now. I'd rather talk about the future, at least as it pertains to next weekend.

That's when the divisional round will take place. The top seeds in both conferences will be in action, and the survivors of the Wild Card Round will be looking for upsets.

While we don't know what the matchups will look like, we know what the matchups might look like. 

Here are five matchups that would be better than all the rest.

5. Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers

On paper, this is a very sexy matchup. It would feature two of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, and it would be a rematch of one of last year's divisional round games.

And that's exactly why it barely makes the cut. As I'm sure all of us recall, the Packers destroyed the Falcons in last year's playoffs. They went into Atlanta as underdogs, but they exited as a legit Super Bowl contender.

The Falcons would look to return the favor if they went to Green Bay, but beating the Packers at Lambeau Field in the playoffs is notoriously hard. It takes a special kind of grit to get the job done.

Grit is not something we associate with this Falcons team. At least, not until further notice.

4. New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers

If you like matchups that feature contrasting styles, this would be the game for you.

The 49ers get by on defense. They finished among the league leaders in virtually all major defensive categories, including No. 2 overall in points allowed per game. If they weren't the best defensive team in the NFL, they were certainly the best defensive team in the NFC.

In this game, they would be going up against the best offensive team in the NFL. The Saints set all sorts of offensive records during the regular season, and they are led by a master quarterback in Drew Brees.

Brees and the Saints would probably be viewed as favorites if this matchup came to fruition, but they would hardly be a lock. The 49ers have the kind of defense that could humble them, and winning on the road in San Francisco is typically pretty tough.

In a year filled with crazy offense, it would be too perfect if the league's most explosive team fell victim to one of the league's elite defensive teams.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots

When these two teams hooked up in Week 8, the Steelers dominated. They allowed the Patriots to gain just 213 total yards and score just 17 points.

The Steelers are dealing with some key injuries on offense, but their defense is still strong. If they were to meet the Pats in the divisional round, an upset would be in the cards.

At the same time, it must be pointed out that the Pats are not the same team the Steelers played in Week 8. They were in an offensive funk at the time, and they broke out of that in a big way down the stretch. Right now, they're one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL.

Then again, that's what we thought last season too, and the New York Jets went into Foxborough and dominated the Pats. The Steelers could duplicate the feat.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens beat the Steelers twice during the regular season, but it's always fun when these two teams hook up.

I see no reason why it wouldn't be fun again. What makes this rivalry so fun is how evenly matched these teams are. Both boast elite defenses, and both run offenses that have the ability to surprise you. 

The question in this matchup would be whether or not Joe Flacco would come to play. The Ravens are as strong as can be around him, but he has a way of holding them back, especially in the playoffs. This year's team appears strong enough to go to the Super Bowl, but they're going to need Flacco to get them there.

The Steelers would have something to say about that. And knowing them, they would like nothing more than to deny Flacco and the Ravens again.

1. Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers

We just saw these two teams play each other in Week 17. After watching that game, I'd like to see them play again.

There's not a doubt in my mind that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense would do their thing in this game. Detroit's defense is strong up front, but the Lions aren't talented or deep enough in the secondary to hinder the Packers' offense.

Luckily, Matthew Stafford proved in Week 17 that he can play well at Lambeau Field. He passed for over 500 yards and had five touchdown passes. Similar numbers would give the Lions a legit shot at upsetting the Packers.

Even if the Lions were to fall short, it's hard to imagine this game being anything less than a shootout. Who doesn't love those?

2012 NFL Playoff Schedule

Wild Card Round

Saturday, Jan. 7

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans—4:30 p.m. ET on NBC

Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints—8:00 p.m. ET on NBC

Sunday, Jan 8

Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants—1:00 p.m. ET on FOX

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos—4:30 p.m. ET on CBS

Divisional Round

Saturday, Jan 14

Highest Remaining NFC Seed at San Francisco 49ers—4:30 p.m. ET on FOX

Lowest Remaining AFC Seed at New England Patriots—8:00 p.m. ET on CBS

Sunday, Jan 15

Highest Remaining AFC Seed at Baltimore Ravens—1:00 p.m. ET on CBS

Lowest Remaining NFC Seed at Green Bay Packers—4:30 p.m. ET on FOX

Conference Championships

AFC Championship Game

Sunday, Jan. 22 on CBS

NFC Championship Game

Sunday, Jan. 22 on FOX

Super Bowl XLVI

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium 

When: Sunday, Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. ET