NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Offense Will Trump Defense in Divisional Round

Let's for a moment assume that the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to beat the Denver Tebows—er, Broncos—this afternoon.

If that's the case, at least two of the divisional round games—Pittsburgh at the New England Patriots and the New Orleans Saints at the San Francisco 49ers—will pit one team's strength on the offensive side of the ball versus the other team's strength on the defensive side of the ball.

A third—the Houston Texans at the Baltimore Ravens—will likely come down to whether or not the Texans defense can keep the game close enough to win a close contest in the end.

And no matter who the Green Bay Packers get to host—either the Atlanta Falcons or New York Giants—well, we know that one will be a shootout.

Let's take a look at how some of the strength-on-strength games might play out.

Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants

Date and time: Sunday, Jan. 8 (1 p.m. EST on FOX)

Pick: Falcons

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

Date and time: Sunday, Jan. 8 (4:30 p.m. EST on CBS) 

Pick: Steelers 

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers

Date and time: Saturday, Jan. 14 (4:30 p.m. EST on FOX)

Analysis: If there is one way to attack San Francisco's second-ranked defense, it is through the air. The 49ers are 16th in passing yards allowed (230.9 yards per game), and in their losses to the Cardinals and Cowboys this season they gave up 627 passing yards and six touchdowns. (Their loss to the Ravens was probably due to Alex Smith getting sack nine times and pressured all game long.)

Oh, and the Saints have the league's top-ranking pass attack and have now won nine consecutive games.

Sure, all three of the Saints' losses came on the road this year. No matter—they'll pass their way past San Francisco for a rematch with Green Bay in the NFC conference championship.

Pick: Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers or Denver Broncos (c'mon, it's gonna be Pittsburgh) at New England Patriots

Date and time: Saturday, Jan. 14 (8:00 p.m. EST on CBS)

Analysis: The Patriots have a lot going for them no matter what the matchup may be.

They are 7-2 in the playoffs at Gillette Stadium. The Steelers have a beat-up Ben Roethlisberger and no Rashard Mendenhall, and the Broncos don't exactly scare anyone with their offense.

Oh, and against top-10 defenses this year, the Patriots have scored 38 (Eagles), 30 and 37 (Jets) and 17 (Steelers).

Yes, they lost that game to the Steelers, 25-17. But that game was in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers controlled the clock with 39 minutes of possession.

A beat-up Steelers offense won't so effectively play keep away this time around, and the Patriots offense will move the ball in a victory.

Pick: Patriots

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

Date and time: Sunday, Jan. 15 (1:00 p.m. EST on CBS)

Analysis: Yes, Houston rolled the Bengals, 31-10. But the Bengals don't have the offensive balance that the Ravens do. The Bengals, while a good defense, aren't nearly as stout as the Ravens defense is.

Joe Flacco trumps Andy Dalton. Ray Rice trumps any offensive player the Bengals have.

The Texans have a good enough defense to keep it close. But the Ravens have a good enough offense to win.

Pick: Ravens

Atlanta Falcons or New York Giants at Green Bay Packers

Date and time: Sunday, Jan 15 (4:30 p.m. EST on FOX) 

Pick: Packers

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