NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Contrasting Styles Make for Must-Watch Games

Are you a fan of nasty, hard-hitting and stingy defenses? Or do you prefer high-scoring offenses that rely heavily on exciting passing attacks?

Are you a fan of watching established coaches and quarterbacks trying to add another championship to already-impressive resumes? Or do you prefer redemption stories for formerly mediocre quarterbacks and coaches going for their first Super Bowl win?

Whatever your preference might be, both the AFC and NFC Championship will have something for you to watch for today.

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

On one hand, you have the Baltimore Ravens pitting an elite defense and their scrutinized quarterback, Joe Flacco, against the Tom Brady-led Patriots offense and inconsistent New England defense, which nonetheless has a few tricks up its sleeve thanks to mastermind head coach Bill Belichick.

Will the playoff experience of Brady and Belichick be too much for the Ravens to overcome? Can Baltimore slow down New England's offense and establish the running game with Ray Rice?

Is Flacco capable of leading his team to the Super Bowl?

Can any defense actually stop New England's tight end combination of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez?

My thoughts: The Ravens will slow down the Patriots offense, but Belichick's defensive scheme will confuse Flacco and shift the turnover battle in New England's favor. The Patriots will win a tight battle.

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

In the other game, the suddenly-hot New York Giants are set to face this year's non-Tebow surprise story of the year, the San Francisco 49ers.

Will New York's balance as a team outweigh San Francisco's ball-control offense and a defense that thrives on forcing turnovers? They not only put up points behind Eli Manning's elite arm, but their defense is swarming quarterbacks and peaking in the playoffs.

Can Alex Smith and Vernon Davis replicate their magical performances from a week earlier against the Saints and propel San Francisco to the Super Bowl? Or will the Giants' playoff experience under coach Tom Coughlin rule the day?

My thoughts: The Giants' balance and Eli Manning's hot play will be too much for the Niners to overcome. Manning will limit the turnovers, the 49ers will struggle to slow the Giants passing attack and Big Blue's defense will frustrate Alex Smith and company for much of the day. The Giants win.

How do you see the Conference Championships playing out?

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