NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Identifying the Best Divisional Round Matchups

When looking at the 2012 NFL Divisional Round, the four games rank as follows (from best to worst):

1. New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers

For the better part of nine weeks, we've seen the Saints put up video game numbers on offense in the comfortable conditions of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Now, we get to see once and for all how that offense plays away from home against a top defense.

Drew Brees vs. Alex Smith isn't a sexy quarterback matchup, but this is the best matchup of offense vs. defense that we'll see in the 2012 playoffs. Can the 49ers tip the scales back in favor of defense during this season of record-breaking offensive numbers?  

2. New York Giants at Green Bay Packers

It didn't take long after the Giants' 24-2 win over the Falcons for talk about the Packers-Giants NFC Championship game in 2008 to arise. In a lot of ways, their game on Sunday has a lot in common with the one they played five Januarys ago. New York will come into Lambeau Field a confident bunch, winners of three straight elimination games in impressive fashion.

But the weather forecast—overcast, 21 degrees—will feel like a day at the beach compared to the arctic temperatures in '08, and the these Packers now have the best quarterback in football on their side. Could revenge be a dish best served at slightly higher temps?  

3. Denver Broncos at New England Patriots

I'll be the first to admit: Everything said about Tim Tebow this past week was wrong. He played out of his mind against the Steelers, matching every move legendary coordinator Dick LeBeau had for him with a counter of his own. Now comes the question of whether or not Tebow can continue it this weekend against the Patriots on the road.

The Broncos landed a few blows early against New England a few weeks back, but Tom Brady methodically picked apart their defense. Instead of focusing on Tebow this week, maybe the Broncos defense should get a look. If they don't play well again this weekend, Denver's playoff run will be over.  

4. Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

Fresh off their first ever playoff win, the Texans will travel back to Baltimore for a rematch with the second-seeded Ravens. Way back in Week 6, the Ravens knocked off the Texans by a score of 29-14. Doesn't this game have that same scoreline written all over it?

Houston will need to run the ball well for four quarters to give themselves a chance. Asking T.J. Yates to do much against a veteran Ravens' defense that has had two weeks to get a gauge on him is optimistic thinking.

But keep your eyes on Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. He's been nothing more than mediocre this season, and he's been bad in a few of the Ravens' eye-catching losses. A tough game from him gives the Texans a chance to pull off the upset.