NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Dissecting Inevitable Media Storylines in Each Game

Each week, media coverage of NFL playoff games is inundated with common themes, feel-good stories and tried-and-true cliches.

I expect this week we'll be no different. Here's what I expect you'll be hearing and reading for the rest of the week.

"Ohmigod, you guys—the Super Bowl could be the Harbaugh Bowl!"

If the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens win this week, we would have a rematch between the two head-coaching brothers, Jim and John Harbaugh. (John and the Ravens won in Week 12, 16-6.)

Can you imagine ESPN having two...whole...weeks to cover the Harbaugh family angle before the Super Bowl? By the time the Super Bowl started, we would literally know every last detail of the relationship between the two brothers.

This week, I'm predicting the term "Harbaugh Bowl" will be uttered by every single person predicting wins by the 49ers and Ravens.

"It's 2007 all over again in New York."

Yes, we get that in 2007 the Giants ran the table on the road and shocked the previously unbeaten Patriots in the Super Bowl. On the defensive side of the ball, that comparison is apt.

But the 2007 and 2012 versions of this team couldn't be more differently offensively. In 2007, the Giants averaged 134.2 rushing yards per game, fourth in the league, and the team's greatest margin of victory was by 10 points against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round.

This year, the Giants averaged 89.2 rushing yards per game, worst in the NFL. They made up for it behind Eli Manning and the 385.1 passing yards per game they've compiled, of course, and have won by 22 and 17 points in their first two games.

So yeah, each team took a similar path. But they've traversed that path in drastically different manners.

"The Patriots offense is an unstoppable force, and the Ravens defense is an immovable object."

I've already talked about why I don't think the game will come down to the battle between the Patriots high-scoring offense and the Ravens swarming defense, but rather will be won in surprising fashion by New England's defense.

But let me repeat: You will see or hear the above phrase all week long. I'm putting the over/under at 3.5 uses of the phrase per SportsCenter.

Between Chris Berman and Herm Edwards, I'd go with the over.

"Alex Smith is the most inspirational redemption story ever!"

Here are some of the talking points you'll hear surrounding Smith this week:

He's had seven offensive coordinators in seven years—it's no wonder he struggled.

He proved the doubters wrong that said San Francisco couldn't win in the playoffs with him.

He's now a legend in San Francisco.

The 49ers were geniuses for sticking with him this year.

He's not fancy, but he proved he was clutch.

He just wins. (Wait, sorry, I'm still detoxing from all of the Tebow talk this season...)

For more on why I think the above is premature and Smith should be viewed in realistic terms, check this out.

Here is this weekend's Conference Championship schedule:

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

Date and time: Sunday, January 22 (3:00 p.m. EST on CBS)

Patriots home record: 8-1

Ravens road record: 4-4

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers

Date and time: Sunday, January 22 (6:30 p.m. EST on FOX)

49ers home record: 8-1

Giants road record: 6-3

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