NFL Playoff Bracket 2012: An Early Preview for AFC, NFC Championship Games

The New England Patriots, with Tom Brady and his potentially legendary tight end tandem, bump heads with the star defensive quartet of Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed, and Haloti Ngata in what should be a classic AFC Championship. 

On the NFC side of the playoff bracket, quarterbacks Alex Smith and Eli Manning have experienced similar 2011-2012 seasons. Both proved critics wrong and triumphed over elite quarterbacks to move one step away from the Super Bowl. 

Let's preview both intriguing title games.

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots  3 p.m. EST (CBS) 

Similar to the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints' matchup in the Divisional Round, this game pits a stellar quarterback and offense against a tremendously stingy defense with thumping linebackers and a stifling secondary. 

Tom Brady has been provided great protection by his stonewall offensive line, which has allowed Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to become known in households across America. 

The Ravens are a more balanced team overall, led by bowling ball runner Ray Rice, the big play ability of Anquan Boldin, and rookie burner Torrey Smith. 

Although Joe Flacco doesn't receive a ton of notoriety, the possibility of the play-action deep ball cannot be ignored. 

Baltimore stunned the Patriots at home in the 2009-2010 postseason, riding a 234-yard explosion from their rushing game en route to a 33-14 victory.

The Ravens went on to lose in the next round to the Indianapolis Colts, the eventual AFC champion. 

The Patriots are 4-1 in AFC Championship games under Bill Belichick.

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers 6:30 p.m. EST (FOX)

The unquestioned two-best defensive lines in football this season. 

No one allowed fewer yards on the ground than the 49ers in 2011, and they tied the Patriots' for the second-most interceptions with 23.

They picked off Drew Brees twice and their continual pressure yielded three sacks along with frequent checkdowns for the most vertically efficient passing team in football. 

When they were fully healthy, New York's front four was the most intimidating group in the NFL.

They tallied 48 quarterback takedowns, and the 20 interceptions they hauled in were the result of extreme pressure put on by Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, and Osi Umenyiora. 

Eli Manning and Alex Smith are playing the best football of their careers, adding even more appeal to this Week 10 rematch.

San Fran emerged victorious in that one, 27-20.   

While the Giants have more pass-catching threats, the 49ers execute well and utilize an old-school offensive approach that features running backs and tight ends. 

The offense and defense are clicking for both these clubs, so it'll be interesting to see what gives in the game to decide who represents the NFC in this year's Super Bowl.

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