NFL Playoff Scenarios: 15 Most Exciting Matchups We'd Love To See
NFL playoff scenarios are getting clearer by the day, and it won't be long before we know where we stand.
The Patriots and Falcons pretty much have their divisions under wraps with 11 wins apiece, and the Steelers and Saints are also playoff locks with 10 wins. But there are still plenty of divisions up for grabs, including the NFC East, AFC South, and the dreaded NFC West. And then there are the wild cards to consider.
However, knowing what the playoff teams could be is boring. Projecting the matchups is fun. So we're going to go ahead and count down what we think would be the most exciting playoff matchups.
Keep in mind that this is not a playoff prediction, as many of these matchups contradict each other. They're based on excitement value only, hence the repetition of many teams and the notable absence of anybody from the NFC West.
15. Kansas City Chiefs Vs. New England Patriots
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This is probably one of the more intriguing matchups because of the several ex-Patriots on the Kansas City Chiefs.
You have Matt Cassel, who was of course Tom Brady's replacement in 2008. You have Romeo Crennel, who was the defensive coordinator for the Pats from 2001-2004. You also have Mike Vrabel, who was a great player for the Patriots when they were winning championships earlier in the decade.
The Chiefs are also a very underrated team, and would probably put up a better fight against the Patriots than most might think.
14. Atlanta Falcons Vs. Chicago Bears
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This would probably be a better matchup if it was going to be played in Chicago, but that seems highly unlikely right now.
Nevertheless, the notion of watching the Bears defense line up opposite Atlanta's multi-talented offense sounds like a fun time. Watching Julius Peppers chase Matt Ryan around on the turf would also be pretty fun.
13. Green Bay Packers Vs. New Orleans Saints
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Let's pretend for a second that Aaron Rodgers is going to be just fine following his second concussion, and that he'll be good enough to lead the Packers to the playoffs, most likely as NFC North champs.
First of all, that would be amazing in its own right. But if it led to an eventual matchup with the Saints, it would be even better.
It's not so much that it would give us Rodgers versus Drew Brees. I think the more intriguing part would be that it would basically be two one-dimensional offenses squaring off against each other.
And I don't know about you, but I love a good barnburner.
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12. New York Giants Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
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I might be alone on this one, but the reason the Giants only appear once on this list is because I just think they're a decidedly boring team to watch.
That being said, this would be a pretty cool matchup to behold. It was good the first time around this season, and it should be good on Sunday as well.
One of the things to watch for in this matchup is how New York's defensive line affects the play of Mike Vick. They managed to bottle him up pretty well in their first meeting, and could probably even improve doing so this week.
Besides, it's always fun whenever divisional rivalries spill over into the playoffs.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
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Remember David Garrard's draw play in the 2008 playoffs against Pittsburgh? That run went for 32 yards and set the Jaguars up for a 31-29 win.
Yeah, that was awesome. And that was one of the better playoff games of the last couple years. And because the teams are largely unchanged since then, why not do it again?
Perhaps the most interesting part of this matchup would be Maurice Jones-Drew against Rashard Mendenhall. The Steelers would use Mendenhall because they know that the Jags struggle against the run, and the Jags would use Jones-Drew because that's what they do.
Sounds like fun.
10. New York Jets Vs. Indianapolis Colts
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This would be a matchup of last year's AFC Championship game, and it is the only scenario involving the Jets that I can get excited about at this point. And that has everything to do with their play as of late.
At this rate, both of these teams have a tough road to the playoffs in the first place, but they could both do some damage once they get there. That was definitely the case with the Jets last season, as they more or less snuck their way through the playoffs.
In addition to being a good matchup in its own right, this one also has significant value as far as history is concerned. If you don't know what I'm referring to, please kick yourself in the face.
9. Indianapolis Colts Vs. New England Patriots
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Because when is this matchup not entertaining?
To be sure, the Colts have their work cut out for them if they are going to make the playoffs, and they would obviously have to win at least one game in order to force this matchup. And that's a lot to ask, given the number of injuries they have to deal with.
But if they do get in, who wouldn't want to see another round of Peyton Manning versus Tom Brady?
Nevertheless, the reason it's relatively low on this list is because the Colts just aren't all that strong this year.
8. Chicago Bears Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
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I for one thought this was a damn fun matchup to watch when the Eagles and Bears squared off at Soldier Field in Week 12. Not only did Jay Cutler have a great game, the Bears also showed that their defense is a fine argument for Michael Vick.
If this were indeed to come to fruition as a playoff matchup, that would indeed be one of the bigger story lines. Could the Bears contain him again, or would he have his revenge?
Other stuff would probably happen too. All of it would no doubt be awesome.
7. Atlanta Falcons Vs. New England Patriots
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The appeal of this one isn't too hard to decipher: it would be the NFC's best against the AFC's best.
But the other reason to watch, I suppose, would be the quarterback matchups. Matt Ryan is one of the best young QBs in the game, and Tom Brady is already one of the best to ever play the game.
It would also be good to see the Falcons in just their second Super Bowl appearance, especially since their first appearance is one of the most forgettable Super Bowls ever played. That would be their 34-19 loss to the Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. New Orleans Saints
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What could be better than a matchup of the last two Super Bowl champions?
Well, as this list will demonstrate, a couple of things. But it would still be a fun matchup.
Basically what we'd be getting is a classic offense-defense matchup. The Saints have gotten back to their high-scoring ways in the last couple weeks, and the Steelers have had one of the top defenses all season.
Good times.
5. Atlanta Falcons Vs. New Orleans Saints
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Conceivably, this could be a matchup we'd see in either the divisional round or in the NFC championship game. I don't know about you, but I would prefer the latter.
Indeed, it doesn't get much better than the defending champions against the NFC's newest powerhouse team. Drew Brees versus Matt Ryan would get a lot of hype, but it would also be interesting to see if the Falcons as a team would be able to hold back a Saints team that would love to make another Super Bowl appearance.
Of course, that road goes both ways. And because this game would likely be played in Atlanta, this could be the start of Matt Ryan's legendary home playoff streak, not unlike Brett Favre in Lambeau Field.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. New England Patriots
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Remember when the Patriots were heading into their prime-time matchup with the Steelers as underdogs?
If you don't, that was when the Pats woke up. And it was also an embarrassing performance for Pittsburgh's defense.
And that, I think, is what would make this a great playoff matchup, especially if we got to see it in the AFC Championship. The Pats would have to continue their offensive dominance against the very team that started it against.
One would think the Steelers wouldn't be that bad again. And that's where the fun begins.
3. Baltimore Ravens Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
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These two teams have already played twice this season, and both of those games have been pretty darned entertaining.
So how about one more? With both the Steelers and Ravens locks for the playoffs right now, it could certainly happen. Depending on how they finish, we could be looking at a possibility for the divisional round, but an AFC Championship matchup is also possible.
Regardless, we know what we'd be getting: defense, defense, and more defense. Sounds good to me.
2. New England Patriots Vs. New Orleans Saints
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Sure, we talk a lot about the Falcons as the team to beat in the NFC, but the Saints are just as dangerous as they were last year. Making it back to the Super Bowl is by no means a pipe dream.
And this would be one heck of a high-scoring Super Bowl. Both teams have great offenses, and while the Saints do have a very underrated defense, the Patriots have shown that doesn't matter to them.
In addition, this game would feature two of the smartest coaches in the league matching wits.
And just imagine if the Saints won. We would be talking dynasty.
1. Philadelphia Eagles Vs. New England Patriots
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A rematch of Super Bowl XXXIX sounds good enough. Throw in the two most exciting quarterbacks in the NFL, and we have ourselves a true winner.
The Eagles have been just as hot as both the Saints and Falcons in the last few weeks. Make no mistake, they definitely have a shot at making it to the Super Bowl.
But I think we all know why this game would be worth watching: Michael Vick versus Tom Brady. It doesn't get much more prime time than that.
Ultimately, this could end up being one of the more exciting Super Bowls in history.
Who Do You Want To See?
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There's no point in hiding the fact that this is a highly subjective list. And I doubt that all of you are going to agree with everything on it.
If there is a matchup you want to see that isn't on here, by all means make it known in the comments section. We may as well get a discussion going.
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