Ranking the Remaining Possible Super Bowl XLVI Matchups

Which of the remaining possible Super Bowl XLVI matchups would I most like to see? An intriguing question, for sure. 

The divisional round is in the books, and there is only one more game left in each conference to decide the participants of Super Bowl XLVI. 

The New York Giants travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, and the Baltimore Ravens will make their way to Boston to face the red-hot New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

Of the four teams left in the running, only the New England Patriots feature offense as their main weapon. Hmmm. I guess defense still does have something to do with winning championships.

4. New York Giants vs. Baltimore Ravens

A contest between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Ravens would be a bloody mess for quarterbacks, which I am loathe to see unless it is the 49ers doing the damage. 

If these two teams do meet up for Super Bowl XLVI, it will be a game that features two of the best pass-rushers in the NFL in Jason Pierre-Paul and Terrell Suggs. I predict carnage for both offensive lines should this occur.

It could also be a matchup of some seriously sporadic and explosive outbursts on offense, with men like Victor Cruz and Torrey Smith roaming the field. Eli Manning and Joe Flacco can be deadly with their deep throws, and it could be an exciting game (when they aren't getting smashed, of course).

In the end, the game would probably hinge on which team could run the ball, keeping the other defense off guard and susceptible to getting beat deep.

As a west coast man, this matchup is least appealing to me, though I'm sure I'm in the minority here.

3. San Francisco 49ers vs. New England Patriots

Talk about a couple teams that know a thing or two about winning Super Bowls. The New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers have won eight between the two of them.

I can't help but see what general manager Trent Baalke and Jim Harbaugh have started in San Francisco as anything other than a "New England West" as far as the model they have used. 

Strong drafting and intricate coaching, coupled with the ability to lead men in a unique way has given these franchises success.

If the Patriots win in the championship round against the Baltimore Ravens, I will be concerned about the 49ers chances, provided that they win as well. 

The one thing the 49ers do much better than the Ravens, though, is create turnovers. I don't care who the quarterback has been, they have been confusing them and causing them to do things they don't normally do.

This is a matchup I'd love to see, and it would be another epic battle of "offense vs. defense." I think you know which one I think would win.

New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

I would pay money to watch Eli Manning and Tom Brady duke it out again. If not for the success of the 49ers this season, this is the matchup I'd most like to see in Super Bowl XLVI.

The track will be fast, as the game is being played indoors in Indianapolis. This means we'd see a plethora of big plays in the passing game for both teams. 

More than likely, this contest would be decided by whichever team has the ball last. 

Manning already took it to the Pats earlier this year when the Giants went into Gillette Stadium and defeated them with a last-minute touchdown.

You know Tom Brady wants nothing more than another opportunity to beat the Giants. He hates losing. He hates losing at home even more, and he has a score to settle.

1. San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens

Jack Harbaugh and his wife Jackie must be beaming with pride these days. Two of their sons are coaching teams still in the hunt for the title. 

I think Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers would relish an opportunity to face the Baltimore Ravens once again. The first matchup between the two teams was brutally unbalanced, as the 49ers had about three days to get ready for the game, travel across the country and face the Ravens at home on Thanksgiving night. 

There were other extenuating circumstances that led to the 49ers losing the first contest, as well. 

I would like nothing more than for Super Bowl XLVI to feature the two best defenses in the NFL, rather than an offensive shootout. I'm partial to defense, what can I say?

There is something about the attitude that exudes from teams that are founded on defense like the 49ers and Ravens. They develop a mentality of dominance, which can translate to the offense, given the right direction. 

Besides the Harbaugh connection, Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis are the standard at middle linebacker in the NFL, and I would love to see these two warriors play in front of one another on the biggest stage.