Super Bowl Predictions 2012: Ranking the Best Possible Super Bowl Matchups

There are several factors to consider when trying to think of the perfect Super Bowl matchups. They include, but are not limited to, style of play, potential rivalries and star power. These ingredients can help lead to a memorable game that will become an instant classic.

Even though there are still a handful of different Super Bowl possibilities, the following two really stand out from the rest.

1. New England Patriots vs. New York Giants

A rematch of XLII when the New York Giants stunned the previously undefeated New England Patriots is far and away the best potential matchup remaining.

The Patriots have a dominant offense once against thanks to Tom Brady. The defense is a completely different story, however, as New England gave up more than 400 yards per game during the regular season.

Fans would be in for quite a treat with the Giants offense clicking on all cylinders right now. Any time a game is likely to become a shootout, it's hard to root against it happening. While a defensive battle isn't necessarily bad, an offensive explosion is what makes a game unforgettable.

New York has rounded into form at the perfect time and made the seemingly unbeatable Green Bay Packers look downright average on Sunday. The team's dominant pass rush would make Brady work for every yard.

All told, the Patriots would enter as the favorite just like they did four years ago. That would just serve as extra motivation for the Giants to shock the world—again.

2. Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers

If not a rematch between the Patriots and Giants, how about Harbaugh Bowl II? Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and his younger brother Jim, the 49ers' lead man, met on Thanksgiving Day, with Baltimore coming out on top.

Both teams play hard-hitting defense and rely on elite running backs to carry the load on offense. While it wouldn't be as aesthetically pleasing as the other game, it would still have enough storylines to get fans pumped to watch it.

If nothing else, the middle linebacker matchup of Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis would be worth the price of admission. It's be tough to find two biggest competitors than Lewis and Willis, which would make the level of intensity go through the roof.

Baltimore's offense, led by Ray Rice, would give them the slight advantage heading into Super Sunday, but if this game was decided by more than a single score, it would be a surprise. The teams are just too evenly matched for it to be a blowout.

The sibling rivalry factor would make the game truly unique. Beating your brother in a game of pickup basketball or video games is one thing, but defeating his team to win the Super Bowl?

That would be the ultimate bragging rights.