Ranking Every Potential Rematch in the NFL Playoffs

A rematch in the playoffs is an opportunity to enact revenge. 

In the 2012 postseason, we're bound to see a handful of regular-season rematches with the stakes the highest in January. 

Peyton Manning getting another shot at Tom Brady. 

Tom Brady getting another shot at the Baltimore Ravens. 

How about another Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll chess match?

Let's rank the best potential rematches in the postseason. 

15. Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens

The third meeting of the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens would make for great playoff theatre, and although division rivalries—especially ones that reside in the AFC North—typically yield gutsy, blue-collar affairs, this potential rematch comes in at No. 15 on the list. 

We see the Ravens and Bengals play at least twice every year, and Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton don't exactly formulate a prime quarterback matchup. 

14. Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Seahawks beat the Minnesota Vikings in Seattle 30-20 in Week 9. 

Adrian Peterson went for 182 yards on a mere 17 carries, and Russell Wilson threw three touchdowns with no interceptions. 

Yes, AP and Wilson are premier headliners, but the ancillary cast of characters, especially on the Vikings, and the slim chance of this game actually happening explain why this potential matchup is No. 14 on the list. 

13. Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos

The Bengals had a fourth-quarter lead over the Broncos in their Week 9 battle, but Peyton Manning orchestrated two touchdown drives that led Denver to a 31-23 victory. 

Maybe the battle between Cincinnati's defensive line and the Broncos' offensive line would be intriguing, but there just isn't much that is captivating about this potential matchup. 

12. Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Houston Texans absolutely steamrolled the Ravens in Week 7, 43-13. 

Joe Flacco finished the game with a .3 QBR, Ray Rice had 42 yards rushing on nine carries and the Texans accumulated 420 yards of total offense. 

Now, Houston did have middle linebacker stud Brian Cushing for that game, and a torn knee ligament will keep him off the field if this matchup comes to fruition. 

As two well-rounded, well-coached teams with occasionally leaky defenses and middle-of-the-road quarterbacks, they would give this game some intrigue, but after the bashing Baltimore took earlier in the year, it falls a bit short. 

11. Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings

With the Green Bay Packers and the Vikings, the divisional allure is certainly there, but it's a matchup we've watched many times before. 

Aaron Rodgers would be, far and away, the more capable quarterback in this one. However, watching the Packers attempting to slow down Adrian Peterson would be rather interesting. 

10. Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers

With the way Seattle destroyed San Francisco in Week 16 and the looming Jim Harbaugh versus Pete Carroll head-coaching clash, this NFC West duel would be intriguing. But again, having already watched these teams play twice, there wouldn't be a tremendous amount of intrigue.

But, with these teams splitting during the year and the marquee players on both teams, interest would be somewhat piqued here. 

9. Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts

Last year, the Texans were the upstart team that made the playoffs. 

This season, Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts are, arguably, the best rags-to-riches story in football.

Houston handled the Colts in Week 15, but Indy kept it close for most of the game.

Watching these AFC South clubs battle to advance in the postseason would make for terrific television, especially with Luck under center. 

8. Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans

All the way back on September 23, the Texans went into Denver and beat the Broncos 31-25 in a wildly entertaining game. 

Many believe Peyton Manning wasn't 100 percent healthy or hadn't shaken all the rust off by Week 3, but he did lead a ferocious comeback effort. 

With the score 31-11 in the fourth quarter, Manning led two quick-scoring drives to get within six, however, the Broncos couldn't pull off the victory. 

As two of the AFC's top teams all season, this potential matchup would be highly anticipated. 

7. New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts

The New England Patriots embarrassed the Indianapolis Colts, 59-24, in Week 11 and did so by thoroughly frustrating Andrew Luck en route to three interceptions. 

In this potential battle, the intrigue lies within the Tom Brady and Luck rematch, as many envision a bright future for Luck, a guy capable of filling the shoes of Brady when the Patriots icon calls it quits.

No, it wouldn't necessarily be a changing-of-the-guard chance for the Colts' quarterback, but watching a legend face a youngster with transcendent ability would be compelling. 

6. New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans

Andre Johnson called the Texans' game against the New England Patriots the biggest in team history (h/t NFL.com), and after the game was over, it was one everyone in Houston wanted to immediately forget. 

How would Gary Kubiak and Wade Phillips adjust to the 42-14 beatdown? 

One has to think the Texans would come out flying. 

5. Atlanta Falcons vs. Washington Redskins

Robert Griffin III suffered the first injury of his NFL career against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 5 when Sean Weatherspoon hit him on a scramble near the sideline. 

Mike Smith's team went on to win 24-17 when Kirk Cousins replaced RG3.  

Better believe the Redskins would like a second shot at the Falcons. 

Matt Ryan vs. Griffin III? 

Yes, please. 

4. Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers

As two teams that have hovered near the top of the NFC all season, this clash of the titans would receive an abundance of rightful hype. 

Aaron Rodgers against the defensively stout 49ers would be the main storyline. 

Remember, this would be a redemption game for Green Bay, as an Alex Smith-led San Fran club beat the Packers in Week 1. 

3. Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots

Tom Brady against Peyton Manning.

Need I say more? 

OK, I will. 

Home-field advantage would be instrumental in this one, and with two of the game's hottest teams colliding, we would be in for a treat if the Broncos squared off against the Patriots. 

2. New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens beat the Patriots in rather controversial fashion in Week 3, 31-30, and the always fierce Tom Brady would love to enact his revenge on a team that has already beaten him at home in the postseason. 

Oh, and it would be a rematch of last year's AFC title game. 

Not bad, right?

1. Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers

September 24, 2012, a day that will live in NFL infamy. 

Forever. 

The night when a plethora of atrocious calls made by replacement officials culminated with the worst call in league history that gave the Seahawks a most improbable victory. 

Think the Packers will carry some vengeance into this one? 

I do.