NFL Playoff Picks: Ranking the Games by Upset Potential

It was surprising to see all of the home teams win in Wild Card Weekend. Will that trend continue, or is the Tim Tebow magic too strong?

The teams with the four best records were allowed to take a week off, and only time will tell if that helped or hurt.

The next set of games will be on an even bigger stage, and the intensity will grow as teams start to sniff the Super Bowl. Which squads from the opening round can continue winning and pull the upset?

For the purpose of this article, an upset is when a lower seed (road team) defeats a higher seed (home team). It has nothing to do with betting lines.

4. Denver Broncos at New England Patriots

Upset Potential: Low

America is now completely divided when it watches Denver Broncos games.

Half of the country watches a great game, sees the final score and figures the quarterback must have done well in order for the team to win.

The other half watches Tim Tebow and cannot understand how a player who should not be successful continues to do enough. This side is simply waiting for the luck to run out.

It is about time the luck ran out.

When a person says, "All he does is win," it's just a simple excuse for not being able to explain a football game.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were missing starting free safety Ryan Clark, the person responsible for not giving up the long passes that Denver continued to get time after time.

Next week, the pass defense for the New England Patriots is worse, but the offense is a whole lot better. Upgrade an injured Ben Roethlisberger for Tom Brady, a weak offensive line for a great one, and Heath Miller for Rob Gronkowski, and this is a completely different game.

This time the roles will be reversed. Tebow will put up great statistics against a poor defense, but his team will not be able to help get a victory.

3. New York Giants at Green Bay Packers

Upset Potential: Medium

The New York Giants have played well lately, but the Green Bay Packers have played well all year long.

While many will point to the 38-35 game at MetLife Stadium as proof that the Giants can stay with the Packers, this time they will have to travel to Lambeau Field. The only time the Packers did not win by more than seven at home was Week 17 in a 45-41 win over the Detroit Lions with Matt Flynn at quarterback.

With Eli Manning playing at an elite level and the Packers defense allowing so many yards through the air, this will be a close, high-scoring game.

However, the best quarterback in the league plays for Green Bay, and Aaron Rodgers will be able to score almost at will if these teams are close.

The return of wide receiver Greg Jennings might be what the Packers need to take them all the way.

2. Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

Upset Potential: Medium

If you look closely, you will see how similar these teams really are.

Both the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens have great defenses, and the offenses rely heavily on the run.

Arian Foster and Ray Rice are both powerful running backs that are skilled in receiving the ball out of the backfield. Joe Flacco has a lot more experience than fellow quarterback T.J. Yates, but Flacco does not have anyone on his team who compares to receiver Andre Johnson.

If Houston can take an early lead and force the Ravens into passing situations, the Texans can win this game.

However, the Ravens have stayed focused when playing at home this season. The team is 8-0 in Baltimore, including victories over six different teams that were .500 or better.

The Ravens should come away on top and move closer to the Super Bowl.

1. New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers

Upset Potential: High

The New Orleans Saints won the last nine games of the season and scored over 40 points in the last four.

No one in the NFL is playing at a higher level than Drew Brees, and it seems the offense is impossible to stop.

However, the San Francisco 49ers are not ready to simply give up. The 13-3 record is not a fluke, as they had one of the top defenses in the league all season long.

The Saints have also only played five outdoor games this season. They lost two and won two more by less than a touchdown. Anyone who watched the Atlanta Falcons loss to the New York Giants should notice that there is a big difference when facing the elements.

This should be the best game of the weekend, and whoever is considered the "favorite" at game time should still be wary of an upset.