NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Patriots vs Steelers and More Matchups We Want to See

One of the best rivalries that the NFL has enjoyed over the last 10 years is the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers.

They are two teams that have dominated the AFC in recent seasons, and watching them battle for a spot in the AFC championship game is something that football fans want to see in the Divisional Round next week.

In the NFC playoffs, there are a number of intriguing matchups as well, and several teams, such as the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers, have already played each other once this season.

Let's look at three matchups that football fans want to see the most this postseason.

Steelers vs. Patriots

Since the 2001 season, the Patriots and Steelers have represented the AFC conference in the Super Bowl seven times. In those Super Bowls, they have won five times (Patriots 3, Steelers 2).

These two teams met in Pittsburgh in Week 8, and the Steelers held on late in the fourth quarter to win 25-17.

However, Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall has been lost for the season due to injury, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been battling an injury over the last few weeks. These injuries have made the Steelers a worse team than they were back in Week 8, but the Patriots did not play well in December.

This matchup would be decided by the Patriots' No. 2-ranked passing offense against the Steelers' No. 1-ranked passing defense, and that's a matchup everyone wants to see.

Saints vs. Packers

The New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers are the last two Super Bowl champions, and they met in the season's opening week—a 42-34 victory for the Packers at Lambeau Field.

Including Saturday's Wild Card playoff win against the Detroit Lions, the Saints have won nine straight games. They are playing exceptionally well right now and are good enough to beat the Packers.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees leads the NFL's No. 1-ranked passing offense, and he broke Dan Marino's single season record for most passing yards this season.

Both teams don't play a lot of defense, so this could be a very entertaining game, especially when you consider that Brees and Aaron Rodgers are two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

These are the two best teams in the NFC and would give a fans a high-scoring, exciting game if they meet this postseason.

Giants vs. Patriots

These two teams met in Super Bowl 42 when the Giants defeated the 18-0 Patriots to pull of a stunning championship win.

The Patriots are again the favorites to come out of the AFC, and the Giants are playing very well right now because of their talented pass rush.

Both teams have veterans who know how to win in the playoffs, and you can bet the Patriots would love a chance to avenge their Super Bowl loss back in 2008.

Of all the possible Super Bowl matchups, this one is the most intriguing..