5 Super Bowl Matchups We'd Much Rather See Than This Rematch

The story lines leading into Super Bowl XLVI are fantastic.

Will the Patriots avenge their loss from 2008? Will Eli Manning convince the critics that he's finally an elite quarterback? Is Tom Brady the greatest NFL quarterback of all time?

Whichever angle you approach it, the New York Giants vs. the New England Patriots is fun to think about.

But let's be real here. Whether you don't like the quarterbacks, can't stand the coaches or simply are not a fan of the teams, this matchup is not for everybody.  

When you sit down to watch the Super Bowl this year, if you could grab your remote and change it to any other matchup out there, who would you want to watch?

Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers

If not for a couple of narrow victories in the conference championships, the biggest stage in the NFL would feature the Harbough Bowl Part II.

The obvious story line here is the faceoff between brothers John and Jim Harbaugh.

The Ravens were solid as usual this year, while the 49ers snuck up on some teams following their 6-10 output last season.

The week leading up to the game itself would be full of brotherhood stories, childhood profiles and a plethora of "brotherly love" jokes. But when it got down to kickoff, the field would play host to a hard-hitting game that featured two of the top defenses in the league. 

Part I wasn't the prettiest of games, resulting in a Ravens 16-6 victory. Not everybody likes to see a defensive battle in a championship game—I get that.

But the idea of big brother versus little brother, a first-year head coach appearance and two quarterbacks looking for their first championship rings would be enough to make this matchup one to remember.

New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots

If you like offense, it pains you to think that this game won't be played this season.

2011 was considered by some to be, "The Year of the Passing Game," and no two quarterbacks had more to do with that than than Drew Brees and Tom Brady.

In the first game of the entire NFL season, Brees had himself a 419-yard outing, throwing for three touchdowns. Not to be outdone, Brady had 517 yards and four touchdowns three days later.

Before this season, Dan Marino held the NFL record for passing yards in a season for 27 years. Marino now finds himself sitting in third place, behind who else, but Brees and Brady.

If you like defense, you'd probably have to look away while watching this game. 

Had the Saints been able to put it together in the playoffs, these two teams could have met for one of the most exciting Super Bowls to ever be played. 

Denver Broncos vs. Detroit Lions

Let's be honest; a miracle far greater than Tim Tebow's six-game winning streak would have to take place for this game to actually happen. 

Despite a hot start from the Detroit Lions, and the miraculous comebacks and inexplicable success Tebow had throughout spurts this season, neither could get it done when it counted most. 

This game would probably be laughed at for an entire week leading up to the game, but it would sure be a new look for the Super Bowl, wouldn't it?

It's always fun to see new faces in the postseason, and this matchup would have some exciting ones to watch.

Calvin Johnson is more than just a thrilling up-and-coming player—he's a superstar. His 1,681 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns were both league-highs for wide receivers this season.

Ndamukong Suh certainly made headlines this year, both good and bad.

Matthew Stafford even showed signs of becoming the franchise quarterback that he was brought in to be. 

But quite frankly, we all know who the main headliner would be.

Say he didn't have success if you want, but all season long, fans and analysts alike were completely enamored with Tebow and his play.

Whether you want to see him lead a game-winning, fourth-quarter drive or simply get his face shoved into the ground by Suh, Tebow himself would surely be enough to make almost any football fan tune in.

Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Well, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Last year's Super Bowl was spectacular, and a rematch only one year removed would have been something to sit back and enjoy come Super Bowl Sunday.

Two teams have not met in back-to-back Super Bowls since the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills did it in 1994, which is exactly what these two teams would have loved to do this season.

The Packers appeared to be Super Bowl bound this year, losing only one game in the regular season, while the Steelers only lost two games following a 2-2 start. 

It has been said that defense wins championships, but in a season that featured so much offense, both Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers' defense would be put to the test. 

On a side note, there's no denying that the Packers vs. New England Patriots would have been intriguing too—another classic quarterback battle. But with the Packers and the Steelers still fresh in each other's minds, a repeat of last year's Super Bowl could have been spectacular.

New York Giants vs. Indianapolis Colts

This one's a stretch for obvious reasons. We'll just call it Peyton vs. Eli.

Without Peyton Manning behind center, the Indianapolis Colts won just two games all season long, and without making the playoffs, the Colts should be nowhere near this list. 

But man, isn't this one exciting to think about?

Eli Manning began to establish himself as an elite quarterback throughout this season. In fact, the better he proved to be, the question began to surface if he has actually become a better player than his brother. 

While the numbers don't lie, it's easy to make that claim while Peyton is stuck on the bench with a neck injury.

With each of them possessing one Super Bowl ring, what better way to duke it out than facing off in the Manning Bowl?

If Peyton is traded this offseason, he could very well be dealt out of the conference and into the NFC, making the dream matchup impossible.

Don't forget, either, that this year's game takes place where Peyton has become an icon throughout his entire NFL career—Indianapolis. 

Put it all together, and what do you get?

A Super Bowl for the ages.