NFL Playoffs 2012: Power Ranking Wild Card Weekend Home-Field Advantages

The benefit of a hostile crowd and a familiar locker room is the most undeniable advantage for any NFL playoff team hosting a postseason matchup.

Four teams will have that advantage on Wild Card Weekend, but where do they rank in terms of strength?

Join Bleacher Report as we power rank the the four Wild Card home-field advantages this weekend.

No. 4: New York Giants (MetLife Stadium)

The Giants have hardly benefited from playing at home this season, winning just five of nine games if we include their Week 16 win over the Jets, which technically was a road game. The Atlanta Falcons should have little problem executing in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday.

MetLife Stadium is far too new to have history and lacks the noise to get to opposing offenses in critical moments. Similar to the new Cowboys Stadium, MetLife just isn't home to the Giants yet. It's also difficult to bring an overwhelming crowd to a city split by two teams. 

No. 3: Houston Texans (Reliant Stadium)

Don't get me wrong, the Texans' faithful will be out of their minds on Saturday night, likely creating a blue and red sea of shouting supporters. But there will be an incredibly large cloud of "what could have been" over Reliant Stadium this weekend, as fans wonder what the future may have had in store without injuries to key players like Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson.

It will be rowdy in Houston, after all they finished 5-3 there this season, but nothing that the Bengals won't be able to weather. 

No. 2: Denver Broncos (Sports Authority Field at Mile High)

Despite Denver's lack of home success in 2011, winning just three of eight games at Mile High all season long, the Broncos boast a home-field advantage that no team can match. Not only does Mile High carry a long tradition and rich postseason history, but it allows for longer field goals and even limits opposing players from contributing.

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark won't be playing against the Broncos on Sunday, not because of injury but because of a medical condition, a sickle-cell trait that causes him to become fatigued when playing at high elevations. 

No. 1: New Orleans Saints (Mercedes-Benz Superdome)

Ah, the Superdome. The Saints' fast track in which no one can slow or stop their offense on. Not only is New Orleans fully charged on offense at home, they are one of the fastest and most opportune defenses there.

The Saints were a flawless 8-0 at the Superdome this season, and already used their jolting crowd to top the Lions once, 31-17 back in Week 13.

Wacky costumes and props will be a guarantee in the dome on Saturday night, and the decibels will be threatening to blow the roof off like nearly every other weekend in the fall.