Super Bowl 2012: New York Giants and More Teams Capable of Taking Down Packers

Before the NFL playoffs started, the Green Bay Packers were the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Now that we are moving closer to their first game, nothing has changed.

But we do know the formula to beat them, thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs. 

It all boils down to playing great defense, making Aaron Rodgers uncomfortable in the pocket, forcing turnovers and controlling the ball to limit their possessions. 

Unfortunately, not all teams are equipped to play that kind of style. But there are a few teams left that do play that style who would be able to knock off the Packers if given the opportunity. 

Here are the three most likely teams that would be able to defeat the Packers in the playoffs. 

New York Giants

The Giants are the first team on the list, partly because they match the criteria listed above and partly because they are next in line to play the Packers. 

Offensively, they did not look good last week against Atlanta. They made a couple of plays late in the fourth quarter to pull away, but overall it was not a great effort. 

That said, they are strong enough to put up points against Green Bay's porous secondary. Eli Manning has moments of brilliance in him, although they are mixed in with a lot of frustrating throws. 

Defensively, they played their best game of the year last week. The front seven was getting all kinds of pressure on Matt Ryan, which made it easier for the secondary in coverage. They only had two sacks, but had six pressures and hit Ryan seven times. 

If they can keep their running game going and sack Aaron Rodgers, they can steal a victory in Lambeau Field.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers don't possess the offensive firepower that the Giants do, but they are stronger on defense and love to control the clock when they have the ball. 

Their front seven is as good as there is in the NFL.

The Smith Brothers—Aldon and Justin—combined for 21.5 sacks. Patrick Willis is the best linebacker in the league, though he is still trying to work his way back from a hamstring injury that caused him to miss three games. 

Alex Smith would have to make a few big plays to keep the Packers defense honest. But if these two teams were to matchup, expect a lot of Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter. 

The one concern I would have is in the secondary, which has given up a lot of yards this season. If they weren't able to create pressure with their defensive line, that could end up spelling their doom. 

Baltimore Ravens

The only team in the AFC that has a strong enough offense and defense to knock off the Packers plays in Baltimore.

Joe Flacco is going to have to make plays this postseason for the Ravens to sniff the Super Bowl, but as long as Cam Cameron doesn't make him throw the ball 40 times a game and remembers that Ray Rice is good at running the ball, they can keep Aaron Rodgers off the field. 

Defensively, they have been great all season. Haloti Ngata , Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs can create the pressure up front to force Rodgers to move. Ed Reed, Jimmy Smith and Ladarius Webb are terrific at baiting quarterbacks into thinking there is an open window before closing for the interception. 

Apologies to: New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots

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