NFL Playoff Bracket 2012: Divisional-Round Predictions for 2012 Playoffs

Talk about a memorable Wild Card Round of football.

With the first round of the 2012 NFL playoffs now in the books, just eight teams remain in what has the makings to be one of the more exciting NFL playoffs in recent years.

Whether it's Tom Brady and the Patriots back as the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the resurgent, point-crazy Saints team in New Orleans or down-to-the-wire Tim Tebow heroics, this playoffs has had a plethora of promise for fans of the game.

With several interesting matchups in the second round, these are the predictions for each of the division-round games in these 2012 NFL playoffs.

Baltimore Ravens beat Houston Texans, 31-13

In arguably the most intriguing and toughest matchup of the four, the Baltimore Ravens will edge out the Texans and move on to the AFC Championship Game.

The Texans come into this contest especially inconsistent as of late as a result of injury problems at the QB position. The Texans have lost three of the their last four games.

T.J. Yates is a capable young QB who led a solid charge against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the playoffs, yet overall he has been unable to play consistent football.

Against an experienced, tough Ravens team on the road, Baltimore should win easy over an inexperienced, younger Texans team.

The Ravens will ultimately have the advantage with the ground game of RB Ray Rice, who has put up career-best numbers in both yards and touchdowns this season.

New England Patriots top Denver Broncos, 35-28

Talk about a heck of a football team putting up a memorable performance in these 2012 playoffs. Tim Tebow and the Broncos defense are one game into the playoffs and already putting together late-game heroics.

Against the worst defense in the NFL, expect the Broncos to put up points early and put the pressure on the New England Patriots in this one.

Despite the Tim Tebow heroics and momentum coming into this one, with the Pats boasting Tom Brady at the quarterback position and head coach Bill Belichick roaming the sidelines, the Broncos stand little chance in this contest.

With the advantage of playoff experience and arguably the best offense in football, it will be tough for Tebow and the crew to play catch-up in this contest. Unlike the No. 21 team scoring of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Patriots know a thing or two about putting up points.

Considering the Patriots won handily several weeks ago over the Denver Broncos, expect much of the same in Foxboro for New England in this contest.

New Orleans Saints to upset San Francisco 49ers, 38-27

In what will be a battle of a top-five defense against arguably the best offense in football, the New Orleans Saints are expected to get the best of the 49ers in this one.

Going in as current three-point favorites, the Saints have dominated their opponents as of late. Easily the hottest team in football over the last nine weeks, the Saints will look to force Alex Smith and an experienced offense to play catch-up from the get-go.

QB Drew Brees will be the deciding factor in this one, as he goes into the game with eight consecutive performances throwing for at least 300 yards and two touchdowns. In his last four games, he has thrown an impressive 17 touchdowns.

In what will be a story of momentum, expect the Saints to get the upper hand against the 49ers at Candlestick Park.

Green Bay Packers to edge out New York Giants, 31-28

The New York Giants are the one team that have the potential to upset this Green Bay Packers team, as they were neck-and-neck with this Packers team in what was a 38-35 loss after last-minute Aaron Rodgers heroics.

With the Giants winning four of their last five games since the loss to the Packers this season, expect the Giants to bring much of the same against the Pack in this contest. Eli Manning will be a big part of this team's success, as Manning threw a record 15 touchdowns in this fourth quarter alone this season.

Yet with Aaron Rodgers on the Packers' side in this one, there is no question the NFC's No. 1 seed will prevail in this one. Expect another late-game drive from Rodgers and company in this one, leading to a Packers division-round victory.