NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: 9 Things to Know for Sunday's Games

Saturday's NFL divisional round was one of the most entertaining nights of football in recent memory. 

Alex Smith's heroics catapulted the San Francisco to a 36-32 victory over the New Orleans Saints while the New England Patriots ended "Tebow Time" by a score of 45-10. 

In that spirit, let's take a closer look at Sunday's games—here are eight things to know for Sunday's games.

49ers Will Play the Winner of the Giants vs. Packers

The San Francisco 49ers did the impossible Saturday night as they out-scored the New Orleans Saints, 36-32. 

The winner of the New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers game will face the 49ers in the NFC championship. 

Patriots Will Play the Winner of the Texans vs. Ravens

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots proved to the NFL that Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos are nowhere near the same class as the Patriots. 

Brady set an NFL postseason record as he threw five touchdowns in the first half and looks to be white-hot as his Patriots will face the winner of the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens game in the AFC championship. 

T.J. Yates Could Became the Third Rookie QB in Four Seasons to Reach the Conference Championship

If T.J. Yates and the Houston Texans are able to escape Baltimore with a victory, then Yates will become the third rookie quarterback in four seasons to lead his team to the conference championship.

Joe Flacco led his Ravens to the AFC championship in 2008 while Mark Sanchez led the New York Jets to the AFC championship in 2009—however, both failed to reach the Super Bowl.

The Packers Beat the Giants By Only 3 Points Six Weeks Ago

It appeared that the New York Giants were going to have a chance to knock off the then-undefeated Green Bay Packers as they tied the game up at 35 with just 58 seconds left. However, 58 seconds was just far too much time for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers as Green Bay marched down the field and Mason Crosby drilled a 31-yard game-winning field goal with time expiring. 

New York certainly had a chance to leave Week 13 with a victory but they'll look to redeem themselves Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field. 

Aaron Rodgers Hasn't Played Since Christmas

Can you believe that it's been that long? Aaron Rodgers could be either well-rested or be a little bit rusty.

If you ask me, I'm going to say that he's a bit rusty. 

Baltimore Edged the Texans Back in Week 6

The Baltimore Ravens looked to have sent the Houston Texans in a downward spiral back in Week 6 as they scored 13 fourth quarter points in a 29-14 victory.

With the loss, the Texans dropped to 3-3 but still managed to rally and win the AFC South. 

Keep in mind that this is not the same Texans team as it was back in Week 6, as for starters, Matt Schaub is no longer at quarterback, the team was without Andre Johnson and Arian Foster was still struggling. 

The Last Time the Giants Went to Lambeau Field, They Won

This is game that all Green Bay Packers fans probably would love to forget—but they simply can't.

The last time the New York Giants went to Lambeau Field in the playoffs was in the 2007 NFC Championship where they upset the Packers, 23-20, in overtime. 

I think we all remember this game, especially New York's head coach Tom Coughlin as his face was practically frozen solid due to the -7 degree temperature. 

It Wont be That Cold Saturday Afternoon at Lambeau Field

It's going to be cold, but not -7 degrees cold.

As of right now, the 4:30 p.m. kickoff looks to be around 29 degrees with the temperature just dipping down one or two degrees for the duration of the game. 

Baltimore Has the Second-Best Run Defense

The Baltimore Ravens finished 2011 as the second-ranked rush defense in the NFL, which does not fare well for the Houston Texans.

We all know that Houston wants to run the ball with Arian Foster and Ben Tate, especially with rookie quarterback T.J. Yates. 

However, stats simply don't look too good for the Texans. 

For more articles like this, check out PatriotsPlus.net.