New England Patriots Best-Case, Worst-Case Super Bowl Path Scenarios

Bill Belichick isn't worried about who the New England Patriots may or may not play in the upcoming playoff games. Belichick will work up a game plan for whomever darkens the halls of Gillette Stadium on Saturday, January 10. He won't think about the AFC Championship Game or Super Bowl until the Patriots have punched their tickets.

Fans, however, can look ahead all they want. Here are the best- and worst-case scenarios for New England in each round of the 2014 NFL playoffs.

Divisional Round: Best Case

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Run the ball and stop the run. Do those and you can go far in the playoffs. The Indianapolis Colts did neither in their 42-20 loss to the Patriots earlier this year.

Andrew Luck was their leading rusher, with their running backs combining for four yards on 13 carries. That was accomplished with Chandler Jones out with a hip injury. Jonas Gray, meanwhile, rushed for over 200 yards and four touchdowns.

That sort of mismatch along the offensive and defensive lines may be too hard for Luck—or anyone else—to overcome.

Divisional Round: Worst Case

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The Baltimore Ravens haven't shown much on offense this year, but they still have something that can give the New England Patriots fits: a strong pass rush. Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Pernell McPhee and rookie Timmy Jernigan can all get after the passer. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees—who held the same position with New England—knows all the right buttons to push.

If the Patriots' offensive line can hold firm, Tom Brady should be able to take advantage of a patchwork secondary. Slowing the rushers with some well-timed draws and screens will be key.

This might not be the prettiest game ever, but there will be plenty of hitting.

AFC Championship Game: Best Case

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I'd put the Colts here again if I could, but the Cincinnati Bengals will suffice. New England crushed the Bengals by 26 points on a short week of preparation in Week 5, bouncing back from a tough loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Brandon Browner and Sealver Siliga weren't on the roster the first time around, while Rob Gronkowski was just rounding into shape. The Bengals aren't trending the same way in the injury department. A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham both missed practice on Wednesday, according to Josh Kirkendall of CincyJungle.com.

If either are unable to go up against the Patriots, the New England secondary will have an even easier job shutting down Andy Dalton's offense.

AFC Championship Game: Worst Case

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Peyton Manning just doesn't strike the same fear in the hearts and minds of opponents as he once did. That said, their running game and defense make for a tough matchup.

New England held C.J. Anderson and company to just 43 rushing yards in Week 9, but Manning was able to distribute the ball to Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas for 278 of his 438 passing yards. As Manning's arm has deteriorated through the season, Anderson's rushing has picked up the slack.

With all the talent on defense—Von Miller and Aqib Talib spring to mind—the Denver Broncos are always a threat to score, even when they don't have the ball.

While the Pittsburgh Steelers might have the best offensive player in the game right now in Antonio Brown, the Broncos are still the opponent that the Patriots should be wary of.

Super Bowl: Best Case

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If you can play a team with a losing regular-season record in the Super Bowl, you take that opportunity. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has missed some key offensive linemen and his best receivers from last year—Brandon LaFell and Steve Smith—are on AFC playoff teams at this point.

Instead, Jerricho Cotchery and rookie Kelvin Benjamin are Newton's go-to wideouts. Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner are licking their chops.

Luke Kuechly and the Panthers' defensive line have some talent, but their secondary won't keep Tom Brady up at night. Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman should feast.

If Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton isn't able to return to service this year, I reserve the right to change my pick here.

Super Bowl: Worst Case

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This decision came down to the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks. While Seattle may be the No. 1 seed, the Packers may be the toughest team for the Patriots to beat.

The Patriots have a disciplined defense that can contain Russell Wilson and make him win with his arm and receivers from inside the pocket—easier said than done. Aaron Rodgers, however, can do just that. Rodgers was electric in Green Bay against the Patriots, winning 26-21 while throwing for 368 yards and two touchdowns.

If New England meets the Packers in the Super Bowl, it'll have to rely on the return of Chandler Jones and the neutral field to slow down Rodgers' high-powered offense.

Stats and figures courtesy of NFL.com.