NFL Playoff Picture: 4 Epic Matchups That Could Come to Light

With the 2012 NFL playoffs underway, it's time to dream. Let's take a look at four possible playoff matchups that would be to die for.

With teams like New England, Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the AFC picture and Green Bay, New Orleans and San Francisco in the NFC picture, the possibilities for marquee matchups are extensive.

Here are four that would stand above the rest in excitement and intrigue if they were played.

Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints

What better matchup to start off with?

This is one of the most likely scenarios on this list, as the Packers need only beat the winner of the Falcons-Giants game while the Saints need to knock off the 49ers in San Francisco.

The Saints and the Packers kicked off the NFL season with a bang by playing each other, and after a wild 42-34 victory by the Packers, fans have been itching for the rematch ever since.

Such a matchup would be very fitting for the NFC Championship, and you can bet there would be a whole lot of fireworks. There may not be a game in the playoffs that football fans want to see as badly as this one.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens have knocked off the Pittsburgh Steelers twice this season, but would they be able to do it a third time on the big stage?

This hard-hitting matchup is always a treat to watch, and the implications would add all the more intensity to an already-intense game.

The Steelers would have to take out the Broncos and the Patriots to earn a trip to Baltimore, and the Ravens would have to top the Texans at home.

This scenario is not out of the question, as both teams have tremendous defenses, and despite the fact that they've already beaten Pittsburgh twice, Baltimore would very likely welcome this outcome because they would get to stay home rather than travel to Foxboro to take on Tom Brady and the Patriots.

A Ravens-Steelers rematch for the AFC Championship would be very fitting and very exciting.

New England Patriots vs. New York Giants

How's this for deja vu?

This scenario is as unlikely as they come, but wouldn't it be interesting to see the Patriots and the Giants in a Super Bowl rematch?

The Giants spoiled a perfect season for the Patriots in 2008, the historical significance of which was enormous, but the Pats would have the opportunity to get payback on the big stage and win another Super Bowl at the same time.

It's not far-fetched to see the Patriots making it this far, but the Giants would have to catch fire in a big way to take out the Falcons, the Packers and then the winner of the Saints-49ers matchup, the last two of which would be on the road.

Still, it's fun to speculate.

Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers

A rematch of the Harbaugh Bowl in the Super Bowl?

What could be better than that?

This scenario would cement the validity of the phrase "defense wins championships," and this would in all likelihood be a slug-fest in the mold of the first game.

While it may not be as high-flying as, say, the Patriots vs. the Packers, it would be a fun one for the fans that appreciate a thunderous hit and a good running game.

It would be difficult for the Harbaugh parents to decide which team to root for, but I have to think they'd be pretty proud that both of their sons were head coaches of opposing Super Bowl teams.