NFL Playoff Picks 2012: Early Picks for the AFC and NFC Championship Games

This weekend's conference championship games pit four teams together in what are two outstanding matchups. Here is how I see them playing out.

Baltimore Ravens (13-4) at New England Patriots (14-3)

This will be a classic battle of a powerful offense taking on a stout defense. Two of the NFL's best units all season will clash and the outcome of the game will largely depend on which wins that battle.

The Ravens finished the season third in the NFL in total defense, allowing 288.9 yards per game. Baltimore was also fourth against the pass (196.3 yards per game) and second against the run (92.6 yards per game). 

That defense will be facing a Patriots offense that finished the season ranked second in total yards (428.0 yards per game) and second in passing yards (317.8). That offense, led by quarterback Tom Brady and his career-high 5,235 yards, has led New England to nine straight wins.

The Patriots defense has given up a ton of yards this season, and the Ravens' offense has struggled as well, which I think makes that matchup a wash. This one will come down to Brady's offense against Ray Lewis' defense.

It's going to be a great game, but the Patriots will be at home and their offense has been so good I just don't think they can be stopped.

New England 27, Baltimore 21

New York Giants (11-7) at San Francisco 49ers (14-3)

In a matchup of two extremely tough, hard-nosed teams the 49ers should be favored at home. While the Giants are on a great run of late and against the Green Bay Packers they stepped up big-time to get a road win. But the 49ers present a very tough matchup for Eli Manning and company.

San Francisco had the NFL's top run defense on the season, surrendering just 77.3 yards per game. Jim Harbaugh's team was also second in the NFL in points allowed (14.3 points per game). 

Manning and the Giants finished fifth in the league in passing yards (295.9 yards per game), and will only come away with a win if receivers Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks have big games. 

I think Alex Smith, Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and San Francisco's offense will do just enough to weather any storms Manning and company cause. It will be close and it might be ugly, but the 49ers will head to the Super Bowl thanks to their outstanding defense.

San Francisco 24, New York (Giants) 21