NFL Playoff Scenarios: Potential Matchups Each Team Wants to Avoid

NFL playoff scenarios are starting to dominate the landscape as teams start to jockey for position and for a spot in the postseason.

The teams who will be standing when the dust of the regular season clears will all say the right things to the press and public before their respective first games. But there's always the one team that fans know have the possibly to destroy their favorite team's season.

The team that always find a way to win against their team, that get all the breaks. The team that possibly might be a better team than their teams.

With that in mind, here are some potential playoff matchups that some teams might not want any part of.

New York Jets-New England Patriots

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Nick Mangold #74 of the New York Jets blocks Vince Wilfork #74 of the New England Patriots during their game on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Ge

Who wants to avoid matchup: New England

A lot will depend on who wins the division and would be the home team in this potential matchup. Monday night's colossal tilt in Foxborough will go a long way to deciding that.

But in the very short time since Rex Ryan has come to New York, he's shown he's not afraid of the Patriots. His defense has proven it can get pressure and knock Tom Brady around, and the Jets offense is good enough to exploit Bill Belichick's D.

Why is home field so important in this matchup? Rex Ryan is 2-1 against the Patriots. Both wins came at home.

Atlanta Falcons-New Orleans Saints

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 26: Lance Moore #16 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by Thomas DeCoud #28 of the Atlanta Falcons at the Louisiana Superdome on September 26, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Falcons defeated the Saints 27-24. (Photo by Ch

Who wants to avoid matchup: Both teams

The Falcons might be having their second-best season in franchise history (behind only the Jamal Anderson "Dirty Bird" Falcons that went to the Super Bowl). They've already beaten New Orleans once this season, but that was early on when the Saints seemed to be sleepwalking.

Now the Saints are getting healthier and hitting their stride on offense. Drew Brees can carve up most defenses in the league, and Atlanta's one of them.

On the flip slide, Matt Ryan had a great day against the Saints pass defense earlier in the season and the game could very well be played in Atlanta. Ryan is 19-1 in starts at home. That could very well derail the Saints' chances of a repeat.

Chicago Bears-New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears gets chased by Osi Umenyiora #72 of the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Who wants to avoid matchup: Chicago

The only thing that really needs to be said about this matchup can be summed up by watching the highlights of the Bears-Giants matchup from Week 4.

Jay Cutler started the game; Caleb Hanie finished the game, and Cutler sat on the bench nine sacks and a concussion later. 

The Giants pass rush can cause havoc with the Bears' porous offensive line and if the two should meet in the playoffs, it could very well be more of the same.

Chicago Bears-Philadelphia Eagles

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs to avoid Anthony Adams #95 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Who wants to avoid matchup: Philadelphia

The Bears defense did what no other defense has been able to do this season: slow down and somewhat contain Michael Vick. Sure, the Birds did put up some points at the end of the game, but the Bears still harassed Vick all day. And that's just the defense.

That's not considering Jay Cutler had possibly his best day as a Bear, shredding the depleted Philadelphia secondary for four TDs. Yes, the Eagles were missing Asante Samuel, but the Eagles have struggled on defense and Cutler exploited it. 

Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 03: Antwaan Randle El #82 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs past Fabian Washington #31 the Baltimore Ravens on October 3, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Who wants to avoid matchup: Baltimore

I'm not saying the Steelers have the Ravens' number, because for the last decade it's been a very close and very heated matchup, and both teams have the ability to knock each other out in the postseason.

But the Steelers have beaten the Ravens three straight times in games played late in November or later (including the 2009 AFC Championship Game) and the Ravens have never beaten the Steelers in the playoffs.

Especially with Ben Roethlisberger back and playing well, his ability to buy time and find open receivers breaking coverage after five or 10 seconds can kill the Ravens' thin secondary the same way it did in 2009.

Pittsburgh Steelers-New England Patriots

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 14: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots calls out signals during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Who wants to avoid matchup: Pittsburgh

Simply put, New England owns Pittsburgh. Save for the Steelers beating up on Matt Cassel in 2008, New England and Tom Brady always seem to find a way to beat the Steelers.

Doesn't matter if it's in Gillette Stadium or Heinz Field, Brady wins against the Steelers. Or should we forget the two AFC Championship games Pittsburgh hosted at home that the Pats passed through on the way to the Super Bowl?

Indianapolis Colts-New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Deion Branch #84 of the New England Patriots carries the ball as Aaron Francisco #43 of the Indianapolis Colts chases on November 21, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Colts 31-28. (

Who wants to avoid matchup: Indianapolis

Peyton Manning has shaken the notion that he can't beat the Patriots, especially in a big game. But he still hasn't proven he can win a playoff game in Foxborough.

There's something about the cold of New England in January that seems to shake the Colts. Then again, a lot of those games were before Peyton finally broke through against the Pats, and those New England defenses were much better than this one.

But as we saw earlier this season, Manning still has demons in New England. And if the Colts want to go back to the Super Bowl, they'll probably have to go through Foxborough to do so.

Atlanta Falcons-Any Team Outdoors

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Jeremy Maclin #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against Brent Grimes #20 of the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty I

Who wants to avoid matchup: Atlanta

Inside the Georgia Dome, the Falcons have been unbeatable and one of the best teams in the NFL. But they've played outdoors three times this season, and lost two of them. One was the season-opening loss to Pittsburgh and the other was a blowout loss in Philadelphia.

If Atlanta has to play outside in the elements in January, it could really take away the speed factor for the Falcons and could rattle them.

Starting this week in Tampa, the Falcons play three straight road games outdoors, including a trip to Seattle. They'll have to prove they can play outdoors.

San Diego Chargers-AFC East

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SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17: Running back Shonn Greene #23 of the New York Jets runs for a 53-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, Californ

Who wants to avoid matchup: San Diego

During the Bolts' recent run of division titles and playoff berths, the Chargers have beaten the Colts more times than they've beaten the AFC East—specifically the Jets and Patriots. Since 2004, the Chargers have played four playoff games against the AFC East, two against the Jets and two against the Patriots. Three of those were at home with the Chargers the higher seed.

They've lost all four.

Chances are if San Diego can take the division, they will have to face either the Jets or the Patriots. If San Diego wants to finally reach its potential, they have to beat the East eventually.

NFC West-Any Playoff Team

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SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Wide receiver Brandon Stokley #15 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by Javier Arenas #21 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Qwest Field on November 28, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Who wants to avoid matchup: NFC West

Think about this. The Rams lead this division right now. They're 5-6. The Cardinals are in last place and by far the worst team in this division.

They're two games back.

Every team in the NFC West has struggled mightily this season. And it's pretty clear that whoever wins this division will have a hard time with the wild card team that will have a better record.

And just think, whoever wins this division will have a home game.