NFL Playoffs 2012: 10 Storylines to Expect in AFC/NFC Championship Games

After a wild weekend of last-minute drives, stifling defenses and unsuspecting upsets, the NFL divisional round turned out to be better than expected. 

The San Francisco 49ers have shown they are true contenders with an impressive victory over the favored New Orleans Saints.  San Francisco’s defense once again proved to be one of the more formidable opponents for any offense.  With impressive plays from Goldshon, Smith and Davis, this team has shown its true potential. 

Baltimore squeezed out a win against a tough Texans defense.  Ray Rice did not have a particularly good game, at least in comparison to his counterpart in Arian Foster.  Foster ran for more than 100 yards along with a touchdown.   

New England’s win was probably the most expected in the playoffs.  Broncos fans might get angered by that line, but let’s be honest—Tom Brady was not going to lose that game. 

However, what I believe was the most interesting win was the Giants' win against the Packers.  All week, fans were wondering how the Packers would react emotionally to the death of the son of the Packers' offensive coordinator. 

Clearly from their performance, it had a negative impact on the entire team. 

The Giants did not win this game on sheer luck and poor performance from the Packers, though.  Eli Manning is having one of the best years of his career, and the defense for New York is nothing to laugh at, either. 

The Giants have some great talent being led by an elite quarterback.  It will be intriguing to see if this will translate to two more wins in the 2012 NFL season.  

Tom Brady vs. Baltimore D

Tom Brady is the best quarterback left in the playoffs. 

He has the resume, talent and highlight film to prove that he is the best. 

However, his next opponent is the Baltimore Ravens and that unparalleled defense. 

With Pro Bowlers Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, the Ravens defense will be a difficult task for Tom Brady to handle.

Although Brady is a proven winner, this is not a guaranteed win by any means. 

It is most likely that the Ravens will be able to stop the Patriots' run game, which will put immense pressure on Brady to have another spectacular game such as the one he had against Denver. 

To beat Baltimore, it will take a more balanced attack in order to keep the defense honest.  The Patriots offensive line is also going to have to do a good job at protecting Brady from that tough D-line and linebacking corps from Baltimore.    

Baltimore Offense vs. Terrible New England Defense

The New England Patriots had one of the worst statistical defenses in the league during the regular season. 

Granted, this did not mean much, considering they still had an impressive 13-3 regular season record.

However, the Baltimore Ravens, with running back Ray Rice, are going to be a tough test for the shaky Patriots defense.

New England has also had some unfortunate injuries to their defense toward the end of the regular season that could hurt them. 

However, with the coaching of Belichick, his teams tend to be ready regardless of the talent.

In the Patriots last game against the Broncos, they did not seem like the same defense that had played in the regular season.  They played cleaner and executed their plays much better. 

Baltimore does have a big edge going up against a statistically weaker defense, but that cannot be relied on judging by the history of playoff play from Belichick-coached teams.   

Tom Brady and Eli Manning 2007 Rematch

As most football fans know, the New England Patriots were on the brink of setting NFL history with an undefeated season back in 2007. 

Unfortunately for them, the New York Giants had other plans and decided to make Super Bowl XLI a memorable one. 

Although this storyline does not necessarily pertain to the individual championship game, thoughts of this rematch are sure to come up. 

Tom Brady would love to have the opportunity to beat the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. 

After that disheartening loss to them in 2007, I can only imagine an all-out effort for a victory if this matchup happens again.  Granted, both teams would be closer in talent this year than in 2007.

Are These the 2007 Giants?

Especially with the win against the heavily favored Green Bay Packers, the New York Giants are starting to look like the 2007 Giants.

The 2007 Giants were in constant headlines of being the underdogs. 

Even in 2012, they are still not expected to make the Super Bowl and yet, here they are. 

Eli Manning is playing some his best football, and the rest of the team is rallying around his play. 

Regardless of how well they play, however, there is going to be constant talk of how they will not be able to win.

San Francisco poses a bigger threat than the Green Bay defense did, however.  The run game will most likely not be a factor against the best rush defense in the league.  This will mean more stress on Manning to perform against a tough secondary and safety combination. 

Although it may be a little premature, it will be interesting to see what happens with the media if the Giants win against the 49ers.  

Is Eli Manning an Elite Quarterback?

Early in quarterback Eli Manning’s career, he was always watched under a microscope. 

Ever since his ordeal with Philip Rivers, he has had a chip on his shoulder to prove that he is an elite quarterback.

Quite frankly, his stats show that he has progressed into one of the top quarterbacks in the league. 

He threw for 29 touchdowns and 4,933 yards this year.  Most importantly, however, his team is still in the playoffs and looking to make it to the Super Bowl. 

It is tough to say definitively if he is up in the same category with the Brady, Rodgers and Brees. 

However, he continues to defy the critics with his play and leads his team to Super Bowl contention every year.  

49ers O-Line vs. Giants D-Line

The San Francisco 49ers are known for being a more conservative team. 

They pride themselves on field position, time of possession, defense and their run game. 

One of the most vital aspects for the run game and time of possession is the play of the offensive line. 

If the 49ers offensive line can keep the Giants defensive line in check, New York is going to have long night. 

It will be important for Frank Gore to get going and keep the Giants offense off the field. 

Alex Smith looks to have an opportunity for a big game with the Giants' average secondary. If Smith is given enough time in the pocket, he will have opportunities for big gains with Vernon Davis.  

San Francisco out of Nowhere

Who are the 49ers, and where did they come from? 

With only six wins in 2010, San Francisco miraculously achieved a 13-3 record in 2011. 

This may be a combination of better play, better cohesion or even the new coaching change. 

There are plenty of explanations to why they are where they are, but the real answer will always be up in the air. 

It looks like Harbaugh implemented a more basic style of offense, which quarterback Alex Smith has a pretty good handle on. 

Also, with Vernon Davis rejuvenated and one of the best defenses in the league, the 49ers look poised to make a serious run.

It only took one year to completely change the atmosphere in this clubhouse.  If this is just the start to a continuing trend, look for the 49ers' resurgence back into elite status.  

Every game they win brings back the thoughts of the great era of Joe Montana and Steve Young.  Hopefully this 2011 season is no fluke and they can maintain this play for years to come.  

Jim Harbaugh as Coach of the Year

It is hard to argue with this statement. 

As mentioned earlier, Harbaugh came into a team that had only won six games in 2010 and looked to barely make the playoffs if they were lucky.

However, Harbaugh came into this team, implemented a slightly altered offense and beefed up that defense. 

There were no blockbuster trades or free agents that helped this team but merely a better system.

The defense is one of the best in the league, and quarterback Alex Smith is playing with a confidence fans have not seen. 

If Harbaugh does not win coach of the year, it will be a serious disappointment.  

Alex Smith the New Montana and Young?

The history of the San Francisco 49ers is rich when it comes to the quarterback position—most notably Joe Montana and Steve Young.  

To even be mentioned among these names must mean that they are doing something right. 

Alex Smith’s touchdown passes to tight end Vernon Davis drew comparisons to Joe Montana’s (The Catch) and Steve Young’s (The Catch II) historic plays. 

It is obviously much too bold to compare Alex Smith to those two greats at this point in his career. 

However, if this team maintains its players and buys into Harbaugh’s system, the future looks bright for the next decade. 

Maybe Alex Smith will have an opportunity to be in those talks for future generations.  

Bay Area Magic

This headline might be more for Bay Area folk, but it is a legitimate story. 

Last year, the San Francisco Giants won the World Series. 

This year, the 49ers have an opportunity to win the Super Bowl. 

Whether that happens or not, this deep run has been spectacular for the area, team and brand. 

If this trend continues, maybe we can see some other Bay Area teams, such as the Raiders, Warriors or A’s, show something special next year.