NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Shocking Predictions for Conference Championships

The Super Bowl is but a step away, but the teams you might figure to feature in the biggest game on the planet will be watching at home just like you. 

Just when you thought it was safe to carry a football assumption, the conference championships will turn everything upside down. 

We are headed into another great week of NFL action. This is one weekend that will have us forget that Drew Brees, Tim Tebow and Aaron Rodgers were taken out by fate a week ago. 

Here are the two games featuring this Sunday that will determine who we will be watching as we sit down to enjoy hours of commercials on Super Bowl Sunday. 

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots: Sunday, 3:00 p.m. ET CBS

The Ravens square off against the Tom Brady machine that is the New England Patriots. Before you hand over the Super Bowl to the home team, consider that the Patriots have not had to beat one team that placed over .500 this season. 

More than that is their soft secondary that ranks as one of the worst in the league. More than that, they are mediocre in stopping the run, giving up 117 yards per contest. 

The Ravens will pound the ball and Joe Flacco will have plenty of opportunity to throw the ball around the yard. 

The Patriots will see one of the best most balanced defenses in football. They will need a great deal more than Tom Brady brilliance in what will be Baltimore's stunning away win in the AFC Title game. 

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers: Sunday, 6:30 ET FOX 

Nobody gave the Giants much of a chance before the playoffs began. I am putting all my confidence in the Giants coming with the same defensive measures they did last week against the Packers. 

The 49ers showed they can score with abandon on the Saints, but the Giants are far better on that side of the ball. 

Eli Manning has thrown three touchdowns in the last three games and is playing at an elite level. Those clamoring for Harbaugh Bowl 2.0 will have to wait for another season, because the Giants will continue their magical season with a win on Sunday. 

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