NFL Playoffs 2012: Power Ranking Potential Championship Matchups

Saturday's Divisional round playoff games are history and now that one half of the conference championship matchups are locked in, let's find the best one out there.

We know for certain now that Tim Tebow will not be participating, neither will Drew Brees and New Orleans Saints' high-powered offensive attack. But fret not NFL fans, there is still plenty of heart-pounding playoff football to be played.

Join Bleacher Report as we break down and power rank the four potential conference championship matchups.

No. 4. AFC Championship Game: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots 

This conference championship matchup is without a doubt the worst scenario still out there. It would be hard to imagine the Texans giving the Patriots a run for their money in wintry Foxboro. Much respect to the Houston defense this season, which ranks third and fourth against the pass and run respectively, but Tom Brady just threw six touchdown passes in a Divisional round playoff game.

New England's defense held Denver to just 252 total yards and 10 points on Saturday night, suggesting that a run-first offense will not cut it against them. The Broncos were the league's best ground attack, and Houston is No. 2. The Pats would be an overwhelming favorite in this AFC Championship Game, no question about it.

Last meeting: HOU 34, NE 27, Week 17 of 2009 season

No. 3. NFC Championship Game: New York Giants vs. San Francisco Giants

The lesser of the two potential NFC Championship matchups features the Giants riding an upset win over the Pack to the Bay Area to take on the revamped Niners. San Francisco's defense showed some cracks late against the Saints on Saturday, but they would hands down have the advantage over Eli Manning's offense.

Like the Packers, the 49ers force turnovers left and right—could the Giants really survive two-straight games against the NFL's top-two takeaway leaders? The Niners' offense even has confidence after their latest victory, and that likely result in an extremely lopsided matchup. New York's running game would be rendered useless against the NFL's top rush defense, and Manning's arm would be a ticking turnover time-bomb. 

Last meeting: SF 27, NYG 20, Week 10 of 2011 season

No. 2. AFC Championship Game: Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots

The best AFC scenario still out there has the Ravens heading to New England to take on the conference's No. 1 seed in the Patriots. The teams last battled in the postseason in the 2009 Wild Card round. Baltimore rode its stifling defense to a 19-point rout of Tom Brady's Pats. That evidenced threat is what makes them the better matchup for New England than Houston. 

Although it's not always pretty when the Ravens call on Joe Flacco to move the ball with his strong arm, he is absolutely capable. The fourth-year quarterback tossed for 3,610 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2011. Flacco has started seven playoff games in his short career and would provide a much better contest to the Pats than could a third-string rookie in Houston's T.J. Yates.

Last meeting: NE 23, BAL 20 OT, Week 6 of 2010 season

No. 1. NFC Championship Game: San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers

As far as the best championship face off fans could see next Sunday is concerned, look no further than Niners and Packers at Lambeau Field to cap off the NFC Playoffs. Both defenses have forced turnovers like clockwork this season, combining for 76 takeaways total in 2011.

Meanwhile both offenses have been extremely careful with the ball on their way to a combined 28 wins and four losses during the regular season. The Packers have been perfect at home this season and would have a rocking crowd to give them a boost throughout. Green Bay's stellar passing attack and San Francisco's methodical, balanced offensive approach would make for a thrilling chess match with overtime potential.

A game that would not only produce a Super Bowl XLVI favorite, but a classic conference championship matchup that would be remembered for years to come.

Last meeting: GB 34, SF 16, week 13 of 2010 season