Super Bowl 2012: Bold Predictions for Divisional Games and Beyond

Aside from Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos shocking the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, things have pretty much been chalk in the NFL postseason thus far. While that may continue, something surprising inevitably happens at every turn. Even if the favored teams continue to win, though, things will rarely play out the way they were expected to.

Generally speaking, all four favorites look like pretty strong bets to advance into the conference championship round, but it certainly won't be easy. Here are three bold predictions for what will go down in the divisional round and in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl.

New Orleans Saints will smash San Francisco 49ers on the road

Because of their red-hot passing attack led by quarterback Drew Brees and eight straight victories, I think it's fair to say most expect the New Orleans Saints to beat the San Francisco 49ers this weekend. The Niners are only four-point underdogs, though, and will have the benefit of home-field advantage. On top of that they have what many consider to be the best defense in football. None of that will matter one bit against the Saints, however.

New Orleans is simply a well-oiled machine on offense right now, as Brees is utilizing every one of his dangerous weapons. The main issue is the 49ers don't have the horses on offense to keep up. Running back Frank Gore can carry them to an extent, but quarterback Alex Smith will eventually have to go shot-for-shot with Brees. This will be Smith's first playoff game, and with little in the way of weapons aside from Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree, the Saints will blow the Niners out of the water.

Tim Tebow will throw for 300 yards—and lose

After losing three straight games to end the season and backing into the playoffs, it was universally thought that quarterback Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos would fall flat against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the postseason.

You really can't blame people for thinking that way, either, as the Steelers had the best pass defense in football during the regular season. Tebow exploited their single coverage, however, and he racked up 316 passing yards, including a game-winning, 80-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in overtime.

Tebow will have the pleasure of facing the New England Patriots and their league-worst pass defense this weekend. I assume the Patriots will force Tebow to prove he can beat them through the air just as the Steelers did last week. Because of that, another 300-yard game is a very real possibility.

Even if Tebow does reach that plateau, though, it won't be enough to overcome the Patriots. New England's offense is banging on all cylinders right now thanks to quarterback Tom Brady, so Tebow will have to equal him, but I don't believe he can.

Ravens will run through AFC with ease

The Baltimore Ravens got what they wanted as the Houston Texans won their first-round matchup, meaning the two teams will meet in the divisional round. As the No. 2 seed the Ravens are obviously expected to at least make it to the AFC Championship Game, but I believe a win over the Texans will be the first step in their run to the Super Bowl. The way I see it, there may be no team in the entire league with as much overall balance as the Ravens.

Not only do they probably have the best defense in football, but running back Ray Rice is the cornerstone of an offense that can put up big points when it's clicking. Also, while quarterback Joe Flacco is often maligned, he had a solid season and has come up big in some important moments.

I think the Ravens will have a fairly easy time with the Texans before taking out the Patriots for the right to get to the Super Bowl. Once there, the Ravens will take on the Green Bay Packers and, while I would slightly favor Green Bay, I wouldn't put it past Baltimore to win it all.