Super Bowl XLV Predictions: New England Patriots, Tom Brady Bound for More Glory

The NFL regular season Week 17 finale is upon us.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts all need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Atlanta and New Orleans are still battling for the NFC South division crown. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are also battling for the AFC North division title.

Most likely, the Falcons and Steelers will hang on to the division.

The Seattle Seahawks host the St. Louis Rams in the NFC West matchup of the century to close out the NFL regular season. The Seahawks’ inconsistency will be their death as Sam Bradford leads the Rams to the playoffs.

The Packers win to enter the playoffs over the Giants.

Peyton Manning wins at home to take his Colts back to the playoffs as AFC South division Champions.

This year’s playoff tournament is decorated with fantastic quarterbacks. Who will lead their team to the biggest game of the season, Super Bowl XLV?

Tom Brady and Michael Vick have battled for the 2010 NFL MVP award for most of the season. Will they continue their battle on the grandest stage of all?

Can Drew Brees march his Saints back to the Super Bowl?

Will rookie sensation Sam Bradford complete one of the greatest turn arounds in NFL history?

NFC Seeding

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks upfield during warm-ups prior to the start of the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran

1. Atlanta Falcons (13-3)

2. Chicago Bears (11-5)

3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

4. St. Louis Rams (8-8)

5. New Orleans Saints (12-4)

6. Green Bay Packers (10-6)

AFC Seeding

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. New England won 34-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

1. New England Patriots (14-2)

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)

4. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)

5. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

6. New York Jets (11-5)

NFC Wild Card: Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers rolls out of the pocket against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

These two teams opened the season against one another. The Packers’ lineman Clay Mathews forced then starting quarterback Kevin Kolb out of the game with a concussion.

Michael Vick relieved Kolb and almost won the game. Ever since then, Michael Vick has been the starting quarterback when healthy.

The Giants slipped up and left the door open for the Packers to enter the playoffs behind the accurate and rocket arm of Aaron Rodgers.

The Packers defense has played fantastic in recent weeks, and Clay Matthews will be a thorn in Vick’s side. Defenses have finally started to figure out ways to disrupt Vick. Charles Woodson shuts down DeSean Jackson and gets in his immature head.

The Packers defense defended Tom Brady well two weeks ago. Aaron Rodgers does enough to pick apart the declining Eagles defense for the win.

NFC Wild Card: New Orleans Saints @ St. Louis Rams

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham in the second half during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Phot

The Saints handled the Rams well earlier in the month. The Rams are lucky enough to host a playoff game since they won their awful NFC West division.

The Rams are a great story, but the Saints roll over them as they are finally healthy on both sides of the ball.

The Saints running game is finally on point with Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas healthy. The Saints have been overlooked throughout the year, but Drew Brees leads the defending Super Bowl Champions to an easy road victory.

AFC Wild Card: New York Jets @ Kansas City Chiefs

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts against the Green Bay Packers on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

These are two similar teams. Both have great coaching staffs. They each rely on solid defense and a great rushing attack. Most importantly, they require their quarterback to take care of the ball.

In recent weeks, Mark Sanchez has not been able to take care of the football. He has been erratic in his decision making and his throws and clearly lost his confidence.

Matt Cassel had a surprisingly great season and Dwayne Bowe emerged as one of the top receivers in the game.

Unfortunately for the Chiefs, Bowe will be shut down by superstar Darrelle Revis. The Jets defense also does a fine job against Jamaal Charles and former Jet great Thomas Jones.

Behind their own rushing attack led by LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene, Mark Sanchez leads the Jets to the road win.

AFC Wild Card: Baltimore Ravens @ Indianapolis Colts

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 19: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks for a receiver during the game against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Saints 30-24. (Photo by Larry

A rematch from last year’s playoffs, the Ravens get their payback on Peyton Manning.

The Colts have been wildly inconsistent this season, which is unlike them in the Manning era. The Ravens dominate this game on the road. Ray Rice powers the Ravens through the mediocre Colts defense. Anquan Boldin and Joe Flacco finally regain their early season chemistry as Boldin proves to be too physical for the Colts secondary.

Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs hit Manning throughout and send the Colts packing.

NFC Divisional: New Orleans Saints @ Chicago Bears

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Pierre Thomas #23 of the New Orleans Saints runs upfield against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half during their game at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

A rematch the Saints have been looking forward to for years. The Bears eliminated the Saints from the playoffs years on their way to a Super Bowl.

Now that the Saints have a better defense and supporting cast around Brees, the Saints get their revenge.

Regardless of the weather conditions, the Saints are better equipped with Pierre Thomas running the rock. The Bears defense is fantastic, yes, but Drew Brees and Sean Payton will find ways to dissect them.

The most important aspect in this game is the Saints defense disrupting Jay Cutler. Mike Martz’ offense leaves Cutler too vulnerable to big hits and turnovers. The Saints defense does just enough to pull off another road victory.

NFC Divisional: Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is celebrates a touchdown against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Falcons won eight straight and then lost to the Saints at home, where they were previously undefeated. The Falcons may have had the best record in the NFC, but they are not without their flaws.

Charles Woodson on Roddy White will be one of the premiere cornerback against wide receiver matchups in the postseason. After shutting down DeSean Jackson the week before, Woodson effectively disrupts the chemistry between White and Matt Ryan. With Ryan forced to turn to Tony Gonzalez, Michael Jenkins and Harry Douglas, the Falcons lose steam on offense. Michael Turner has been inconsistent this season and simply will not be able to carry his team to the next level.

Aaron Rodgers effectively dissects the Falcons’ suspect, bend-but-don’t-break defense, which finally breaks when it matters most. John Abraham isn’t able to bother Rodgers much as the Packers’ offensive line focuses on stopping him all game.

With the playoffs once out of sight, the Packers sneak in and make it to the NFC Championship.

AFC Divisional: Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Linebacker Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates as he leaves the field after their game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty

One of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL, the Ravens travel to Pittsburgh in what will be the hardest-hitting, toughest playoff games in the postseason. These two teams simply hate each other and always put on a fantastic show for the fans.

Both regular season contests ended in the waning minutes of a low-scoring affair. This will be another.

Neither rushing attack gets going effectively as both teams possess two of the best run stopping defenses in the league. Ray Rice will prove to be the bigger difference maker between him and Rashard Mendehall because of his receiving ability.

In the terrible weather conditions, the Steelers actually miss kicker Jeff Reed who knew Heinz Field better than any other kicker.

On this day, Joe Flacco and Ray Lewis actually get the better of Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu.

AFC Divisional: New York Jets @ New England Patriots

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots readies to throw a pass against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. New England won 34-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Imag

The Jets and Patriots form one of the most heated rivalries in the NFL. Like the Steelers and Ravens, they meet for the third time this season.

They split the regular season, but the Patriots have the advantage after they owned the Jets on Monday Night Football and embarrassed Rex Ryan’s cocky team.

Tom Brady once again proves how calm and collective he is, shrugging off the endless blitzes that Rex Ryan throws his way.

Brady and Bill Belichick stole the Jets’ confidence on that cold Monday Night in Foxboro. The Patriots only reminded them of that starry night as the Jets are sent packing, wondering how they let their Super Bowl aspirations slip through their fingertips. Perhaps it was anointing themselves Super Bowl contenders without playing each and every game.

NFC Conference Championship: Green Bay Packers @ New Orleans Saints

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints in action during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

This will be one of the most exciting playoff matchups in the tournament. Two high powered offenses against similarly tough defenses.

Aaron Rodgers against Drew Brees is one of the top quarterback vs quarterback matchups this league has to offer.

Both quarterback can effectively shred an opposing defense. Darren Sharper and Charles Woodson prove to be the difference makers for their respective defensive units.

In the end, it is Sean Payton’s creativeness mixed with Reggie Bush’s all-purpose offensive and special teams threat that wins out.

In light of essentially being forced to relinquish his Heisman trophy, Bush is the main player in taking his team making it to the Super Bowl for the second straight season.

AFC Conference Championship: Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stands on the sidelines against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. New England won 34-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Ima

These two teams met earlier in the season. The Patriots won in overtime and Tom Brady threw two interceptions. He has yet to throw an interception since heading into Week 17 of the regular season.

The Ravens are clicking on all cylinders offensively heading into the game against Bill Belichick’s inexperienced defense.

Ray Lewis’ defense has been prone to being dissected. Although they disrupted Brady earlier in the season, Brady has shown incredible poise since that game and has been on a historic, torrid pace.

The Ravens sent Brady and Belichick packing in last year’s playoffs.

This time, Brady and Belichick avenge their loss and make it back to the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XLV: New Orleans Saints @ New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with head coach Bill Belichick before playing against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the g

The Saints handled the Patriots last year en route to their city-changing Super Bowl victory.

This time, Tom Brady is in rare form and feeling fantastic after winning his second MVP award. Brady has been on fire since Week 9 and continues his historic pace to another Super Bowl ring.

This matchup pits two of the greatest quarterbacks to ever grace the gridiron. Unlike last year against Peyton Manning, Drew Brees is unable to topple another Hall of Fame quarterback.

Although a close, high-scoring game, Bill Belichick has the game plan to dissect the Saints defense and disrupt the phenomenal Drew Brees.

It is simply too difficult to bet against the Brady and Belichick combination. Sean Payton pulls out all of the stops ala last year’s Super Bowl victory, but Belichick, who just win coach of the year, remains one step ahead.

Tom Brady wins the Super Bowl MVP award and completes the greatest season of his career.