NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: A Quick Guide to Sunday's Divisional Games

Sunday's slate of divisional round action will determine the last two participants in next week's conference championship games, as the Houston Texans travel to face the Baltimore Ravens while the Green Bay Packers play host to the New York Giants.

Here's a look at three keys for victory for each team in today's matchups and my predictions for the games, beginning with the early contest between the Texans and Ravens.

Three Keys to a Houston Texans Victory

1. Pound the Rock

It's not going to be easy to do against the Ravens' second-ranked run defense, but the Texans are going to have to establish the run with Arian Foster and Ben Tate to take pressure off rookie quarterback T.J. Yates.

2. Take a Few Shots

Like it or not the Texans are going to have to try to take a few downfield chances with long passes to Andre Johnson, whether it's to loosen up the Ravens defense or set up off of play action.

3. Make a Big Play on Defense

The Texans defense has been strong all season long but they'll need to come up with their best effort of the season this week, including forcing a game-altering turnover on defense.

Three Keys to a Baltimore Ravens Victory

1. Establish Ray Rice

Running back Ray Rice is the heart and soul of the Baltimore Ravens offense, and against a solid Houston Texans defense getting Rice rolling early should be a priority for the Ravens.

2. Eliminate Mistakes

This is a game that most folks expect the Ravens to win, so the Ravens can't afford to let the Texans hang around by committing stupid penalties or turning the ball over.

3. Rattle the Rookie

Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates has played very well as a rookie, but the fact remains that he is a rookie, so the Ravens should pin their ears back and come after him early and often.

The Pick: Baltimore Rolls

The Houston Texans have had a fine season in 2011, advancing to the postseason for the first time in franchise history, but against a Ravens team playing their first home playoff game since 2008 that hasn't lost in Baltimore this season, the Texans will be hard-pressed to keep the game close.

Ravens 27, Texans 10

Three Keys to a New York Giants Victory

1. Play Keep-Away

The Green Bay Packers offense can't score if they don't have the ball, so the Giants would be well-served to try to establish the ground game early, controlling the clock and keeping Aaron Rodgers off the field.

2. Get a Push Up Front

Perhaps no team in the National Football League generates more pressure on the quarterback with their front four than the New York Giants, who can then leave more players in zone coverage in an effort to slow down the Green Bay offense.

3. Protect the Rock

An interception returned for a touchdown was one of the big plays that determined the game the last time these two teams faced off, and the Giants simply can't afford to give the Packers extra possessions with turnovers.

Three Keys to a Green Bay Packers Victory

1. Come Out of the Gate Fast

The Packers need to come out firing in an attempt to force this contest into a "track meet" kind of game, playing at their tempo while taking advantage of the Giants' so-so secondary.

2. Get After Eli Manning

Manning has been known to make bad decisions when pressured, so defensive coordinator Dom Capers should dial up the blitzes in an effort to force an ill-advised throw.

3. Protect Aaron Rodgers

The New York Giants' best chance at pulling an upset may lie in their ability to get after the quarterback, so it's vital that the Green Bay offensive line give Rodgers the time he'll need to pick apart the Giants pass defense.

The Pick: Green Bay Moves on

As the New York Giants showed earlier this season, they are more than capable of giving the Green Bay Packers all they can handle, but this game will feature a bit too much Green Bay offense and one too many bad throws from Eli Manning.

Green Bay 41, New York 37