NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Outlining the Divisional Round

Featuring Tim Tebow, the New England Patriots, a streaking New Orleans Saints squad, the resurgent New York Giants, and the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, the NFL Divisional Round is certainly not lacking intrigue.

Don't forget defensively stout clubs like the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, and the balanced Baltimore Ravens are in action, too. 

Let's outline the entire weekend of NFL action.

No. 4 Denver Broncos at No. 1 New England Patriots, Saturday 8 P.M. EST (CBS)

A rematch from the Patriots' Week 15 victory in Denver. Currently, New England is a 14-point favorite over the Broncos, who beat the Pittsburgh Steelers over Wild Card Weekend. 

Denver boasts the best running attack in the NFL, and rushed for 167 yards in the first quarter of the regular-season matchup between these two clubs. 

Three second-quarter turnovers and Tom Brady's unwavering poise in the pocket ultimately doomed the Broncos.

It will be interesting to see if head coach John Fox loosens the reigns on Tebow, and allows him to throw the football more frequently against the league's 31st-ranked passing defense. 

Can the Patriots get their first playoff win in nearly four years? Will Tom Brady tear through Denver's defense for a second time? 

No. 3 Houston Texans at No. 2 Baltimore Ravens, Sunday 1 P.M. EST (CBS)

Joe Flacco will make his seventh postseason start, and his first at home this weekend. The Ravens are nine-point favorites in a matchup that pits two eerily similar teams against each other. 

Baltimore will look to feature Ray Rice and their punishing ground game, while controlling the game with their veteran-laden defense. 

Houston's defensive unit was dominating in their defeat of the Cincinnati Bengals in the opening round. They reeled in three interceptions, sacked Andy Dalton four times and had eight tackles for loss. 

While offense has ruled the NFL this year, this game will come down to the team that makes more plays on defense and limits the opposition's star runners.

No. 3 New Orleans Saints at. No. 2 San Francisco 49ers, Saturday 4:30 P.M. EST (FOX)

A classic offense vs. defense battle. 

New Orleans is actually a four-point road favorite in this one.

The Saints enter the game with the most explosive offense in the NFL. They amassed an inconceivable 626 yards of total offense against the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card Round. 

However, they aren't playing indoors and are up against one of the most stingy defenses in football. 

Justin Smith, Patrick Willis and Aldon Smith lead a ferocious 49ers defense that was the best against the run in 2011, and allowed a pedestrian 14.3 points per game this season.

Which side will give?

No. 4 New York Giants at No. 1 Green Bay Packers, Sunday 4:30 P.M. EST (FOX)

The second rematch of the weekend, the Giants fell to the Packers 38-35 in their Week 13 matchup.

Despite heading into the game with a full head of steam, New York is a nine-point underdog.

Both clubs have impressive aerial attacks and are led by former Super Bowl MVPs. The Giants have arguably the most intimidating pass rush left in the postseason, and the Packers are getting go-to wideout Greg Jennings back from a knee injury.

In what should be a shootout, which team's defense can make a late-game stand? 

Expect a handful of big plays in this epic showdown.

Follow @ChrisTrapasso