Super Bowl 2013: 10 Awesome Matchups We'd Love to See Next Year

Now that Super Bowl XLVI is over, it is time to turn our attention to the 2012-13 NFL season and which 2013 Super Bowl matchups would be the most awesome to see next year.

Of course, teams like the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots will be on this list, but there will be some surprise teams too.

Here are 10 awesome matchups that we'd love to see in the 2013 Super Bowl.

Tim Tebow vs. Anyone

You may be surprised to see just Tim Tebow playing in the Super Bowl instead of the entire Denver Broncos team, but I have this strange feeling that if the Broncos did make it to the Super Bowl, Tebow would want to take on whoever their opponent is single-handedly.

Of course, I'm just kidding about Tebow wanting to play a team all by himself, but it would be quite the picture, wouldn't it?

Carolina Panthers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

To have the top two rookie quarterbacks from the 2011 season lead their respective teams to the 2013 Super Bowl would be quite the matchup.

Andy Dalton has already led his team to the playoffs, and with a few more pieces the Cincinnati Bengals would have to be considered a legitimate title contender.

While the Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton didn't finish over .500 this year, there is no doubting that Newton is one of the most exciting players in the NFL. If he improves his game, the Panthers could be an extremely scary team for the next 10 years.

This would be the ultimate "young guns" Super Bowl matchup.

Detroit Lions vs. New York Jets

There are two main reasons that I would love to see the Detroit Lions and New York Jets play in Super Bowl 2013.

The first reason is the Lions. How great would it be to see this franchise finally make the Super Bowl? Even if you aren't a fan of this team, you would have to enjoy them getting to the big game.

The second reason is the individual matchup of Calvin Johnson vs. Darrelle Revis. It would be fantastic to watch the best wide receiver go up against the best cornerback in the biggest game. The winner of that matchup would likely decide the winner of the game.

While the Lions need to be considered Super Bowl contenders, unless the Jets can replace Mark Sanchez, I can't see them getting there.

Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots

The debate over the best quarterback in the NFL during the 2011 season only featured three quarterbacks. While Aaron Rodgers came home with the MVP Award, both Drew Brees and Tom Brady need to be considered on the same level as Rodgers.

Well, what better way to decide who is truly the best by pitting them against each other in the 2013 Super Bowl?

Of course, the Green Bay Packers would have to beat the New Orleans Saints in the NFC championship game, so then Rodgers vs. Brady would make the final decision of who is the absolute best.

It would be the ultimate game to decide the best player in the NFL.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Baltimore Ravens

This would be a sentimental matchup. Neither Ed Reed nor Tony Gonzalez has had a chance to win a Super Bowl. This game might possibly be their last chance.

There simply aren't two players more deserving of a Super Bowl ring than Gonzalez and Reed. They're two of the greatest players to ever play the game at their respective positions.

While the rest of the game may not be too exciting, the headline of Gonzalez and Reed would be one of the best storylines in recent years.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Houston Texans

Nobody does it bigger and better than Texas, so pitting two in-state teams against each other would be quite the matchup.

Both the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys boast fantastic offenses. With star players like Andre Johnson, Miles Austin, Arian Foster, DeMarco Murray, Tony Romo and Matt Schaub, you know this matchup would create points in a hurry.

On the defensive side of the ball, both teams can also get after the quarterback. Guys like DeMarcus Ware, Mario Williams and J.J. Watt make their living putting pressure in the backfield.

This game would give either Houston or Dallas bragging rights as the best football team in the state of Texas.

New Orleans Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Some of the greatest Super Bowls have placed a great offensive team against a great defensive team and let the two simply go at it for 60 minutes.

With the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers, that is the type of game you'd have. While the Steelers are capable of putting up some points, the strongest part of their team is on the defensive side of the football.

Would their defense be enough to slow down Drew Brees? That would be one question that would need to be answered during the Super Bowl.

Oakland Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers

The biggest reason that this would be an awesome matchup is the fact that these two teams are separated by a bridge. With no more than 20 miles between the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, this would be a great matchup for fans of both teams.

You'd also have the sentimental side of the game as the Raiders would make the Super Bowl in their first full year without Al Davis running the team. It would be the ultimate show of appreciation for their former leader if Oakland were to get to the Super Bowl.

The only questions that would remain are which fans would be rowdier and how many fights would break out on the Bay Bridge leading up to the big game.

My guess is Raiders fans and at least 20 fights.

Peyton Manning vs. Anyone

How awesome would it be to see Peyton Manning get back on the field in 2012 and lead whatever team he happens to be playing for to the Super Bowl?

It would be the ultimate slap in the face to anyone who said that Manning was done.

In fact, I can only think of one more awesome matchup than this.

Peyton Manning vs. Indianapolis Colts

As unlikely as this would be, it would also be incredibly awesome.

Just imagine Peyton Manning going to some team in the NFC—maybe the Arizona Cardinals or Seattle Seahawks—and bringing it to the Super Bowl. Then let's say that Andrew Luck is incredible as a rookie and leads the Indianapolis Colts to the Super Bowl.

How awesome would that matchup be?