NFL Playoff Bracket 2012: Breaking Down the Homefield Advantage in Each Game

To borrow from Simon and Garfunkel for a moment, there are four teams who wish they were homeward bound this weekend.

And four more who are quite content to remain in their own building.

But what, exactly, will the home-field advantage—if any—be for the for home teams in this upcoming weekend's Divisional Round?

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers

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

49ers home record: 7-1

Saints road record: 5-3

Analysis: The Saints are basically impossible to beat at home this year, accumulating a 9-0 record on the Superdome's turf. 

But they won't be at home against the 49ers. And on the slower grass surface that plays in favor of the 49ers' stout defense and running attack, the Saints may find themselves with fewer opportunities and less points than they've become accustomed to. 

Then again, can you really pick against Drew Brees right now?

Pick: Saints

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots

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

Patriots home record: 7-1

Broncos road record: 5-3

Analysis: It doesn't bode well for Denver that the Patriots already beat them in Denver in Week 15. Or that the Patriots are 15-4 in the playoffs under Bill Belichick.

Or that the Patriots have lost their last two games at home in the playoffs (to Baltimore in 2010 and the Jets last year) and will desperately want to erase that trend this year against the Broncos.

Then again, maybe that proves that New England is susceptible at home in the playoffs and Tim Tebow can pull off the upset.

Nah.

Pick: Patriots

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

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

Ravens home record: 8-0

Texans road record: 5-3

Analysis: The records alone tell a pretty compelling story, but let's not forget that the Ravens already beat the Texans in Baltimore, 29-14, in Week 6.

Pick: Ravens

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers

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

Packers home record: 8-0

Giants road record: 5-3

Analysis: First of all, can we talk about the fact that calling it "the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field" is redundant, since by definition a tundra is frozen?

Okay, glad we cleared that up.

At first glance, you might think that Sunday's likely conditions—partly cloudy with a high of 22 degrees, according to Weather.com—might actually favor the Giants, who will want to run the ball and try to control the clock to limit the touches of Green Bay's explosive offense.

The Packers are 1-1 at Lambeau Field under coach Mike McCarthy in the playoffs, winning all of their games last year on the road. The famous home-field advantage of Lambeau Field shouldn't play as much of a role in this game for the Packers as you might think.

Then again, can you really pick against Aaron Rodgers right now?

Pick: Packers

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