NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Breaking Down Sunday's Biggest Storylines

There are several riveting storylines heading into Sunday's divisional-round action in the NFL.

The defending Super Bowl champions are hosting the rabid New York Giants who are coming off a defensive shutout last week in the wild-card round, while two top-five defenses face off in Baltimore.

Before winners are decided, let's break down a few of the day's biggest storylines.

Can Aaron Rodgers and the Packers Win Their Fifth Straight Postseason Game?

The Green Bay Packers ransacked their 2011 regular season schedule after rolling to the world championship last February in Dallas. At 15-1, Green Bay sports the best record in football this year and arguably the top home-field advantage heading into their Sunday afternoon battle with the Giants.

The bottom line: Rodgers and the Pack are 21-1 in their last 22 games and have not lost in the postseason since wild-card weekend in January 2010. They will top New York in a shootout at Lambeau Field on Sunday to continue that impressive streak.

Will the Texans Ground Attack Halt the Ravens' March to Indy?

The Houston Texans rushing threat is the best offense they have going for them Sunday in Baltimore. The Texans are led by third-string rookie T.J. Yates, so airing it out is simply a bad idea against the league's fourth-best pass defense.

Houston ranks second in rushing yards this season and will find gaps and lanes tough to come by against the Ravens' stout, second-ranked rush defense. Unless Yates does the impossible on Sunday and picks apart Baltimore in the passing game, the Ravens should have the Texans offense grounded early and often. 

Will the Playmaking Packers Defense Expose the Turnover-Prone Eli Manning?

The Green Bay defense has forced 38 turnovers this season, tied with the San Francisco 49ers for the most all year. Thirty-one of those takeaways have come through the air via interception. Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews have combined for 10 of those 31 picks this season, including a pick-six via Matthews back in Week 13 when the Packers topped the Giants in New York. 

Based on how well the Niners fared against the Saints in the turnover department, the Packers are primed to get their hands on a few passes. Manning threw 16 picks this season and that essentially guarantees No. 10 will toss one or two Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Is There Any Way the Texans Can Beat the Ravens for the First Time in Franchise History?

The Texans have never beaten the Ravens. Five times they have tried and five times they have lost. The most recent meeting between the two teams saw the Ravens top the Texans 29-14 at home.

Baltimore is undefeated at home this season and allowing less than 15 points per game there on the year.

It's certainly difficult to see Houston finding enough offense to outscore the Birds, who average more than 27 points per game at M&T Bank Stadium this season. Houston has taken the next step towards greatness, but the Ravens have been in the spotlight before. Baltimore extends its winning streak over Houston to six games on Sunday.