NFL Playoff Predictions: New England Patriots Possible Playoff Matchups

After the New England Patriots complete man-handling of the Chicago Bears Sunday, 36-7, they have clinched a playoff berth. 

If all goes to plan for the Pats, they will be looking at the No. 1 seed with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. 

Contenders are finally shaping up to be contenders while the pretenders are finally showing their real colors in the AFC, we can now try to sort out the whole AFC playoff picture. 

Here, I have composed a list of teams the Patriots could potentially face in the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass in front of Johnathan Wade #26 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the game on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently sitting atop of the AFC North division at 10-3. The Steelers have played strong this year, however they were dominated by New England in Week 10. 

The Patriots went into Pittsburgh and simply destroyed the Steelers 39-26 . New England's questionable offense, at the time, played extremely well against the tough Pittsburgh defense. 

Quarterback Tom Brady threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns and just shredded Pittsburgh's secondary. 

However, the Steelers are a great team, and they know how to win. This would be a very interesting match-up as New England's young defense is finally finding it's identity against a Steelers offense with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hardly able to walk. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates following the game against the Oakland Raiders at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Jacksonville is one of the surprising teams in the NFL this year, but could present quite the challenge for New England.

Jaguars' stud running-back, Maurice Jones-Drew is having a stellar season so far and could find some easy holes in New England's young defense. However, New England's defense has played well against the run this year, only giving up 4.2 yards per-carry.

But, when all is said and done, Tom Brady should have no problem against the Jags' sub-par defense  which has allowed 258 yards per-game via air. 

Indianapolis Colts

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts gives instructions to his team during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Manning/Brady Bowl, what a great match-up this would be. 

If the Colts were to make the playoffs, I wouldn't be too surprised if these two teams met.

The Patriots earlier this season took down the Colts, thanks to a late Manning interception, 31-28 in late November. 

The Colts have been bit by the injury bug this year, but could be well on their way to re-claiming the top of the AFC South. 

The Pats played with a bend-don't-break mentality and forced Manning to make poor decisions, which resulted in a big victory for New England. If New England's defense played like it did earlier this year against Indy then the Pats should come out on top. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the game against the Denver Broncos on December 5, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs, better known as the Patriots of the midwest, would bring a lot of drama to New England if the two were to faceoff. 

The Chiefs starting quarterback, Matt Cassel, is a former New England Patriot who filled in for Tom Brady when Brady was injured, leading New England to an 11-5 record.

Not only are Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel Chiefs with Patriot history, the team's two coordinators are former Patriots. Charlie Weiss and Romeo Crennel are both former coordinators under Bill Belichick and have won three Super Bowls with the Pats.

Kansas City is barely hanging onto their division lead, but they cannot be taken lightly. With Weiss and Crennel coaching, they can be a team that can cause some damage.  

Baltimore Ravens

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

Out of all the playoff contenders, the Baltimore Ravens concern me most. 

The Patriots barely beat the Ravens back in October, 23-20, in overtime, and a year ago were man-handled in the first round of the playoffs.

Despite the close game earlier this year, the Patriots offense has been rolling. Tom Brady has been playing amazing and is shaping up to be the league's MVP, but against Baltimore's tough defense it could be a challenge. 

The Ravens are only allowing just under 17 points per game this season and have won games thanks to timely turnovers, however Brady and the Patriots have taken care of the ball quite well this season. 

This matchup could be the clash of the two best teams in the AFC.