NFL Playoff Scenarios: Predicting Every Game on the Road to the Super Bowl

By Sunday we will know for sure who's in.

For the moment, though, there is still time to speculate about who is headed to the NFL playoffs. Nine teams have secured playoff berths, but there are still four division titles that need to be decided: The AFC North, AFC South, NFC South and NFC West.

New England has clinched homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, while Atlanta could do the same in the NFC if it defeats Carolina on Sunday.

Now is the time, though, to let the fun begin. Here's a look ahead at who the divisional winners and wild card recipients will be, with predictions for all the playoff games, including the Super Bowl:

NFC Division Winners

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Rashied Davis #81 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a special team tackle against the New York Jets at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles (10-5): The Eagles already have this wrapped up and can rest their starters Sunday against Dallas.

NFC North

Chicago Bears (11-4): Like Philadelphia, they've already clinched. Could Lovie Smith's team be one of the great sleeper picks for the playoffs?

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons (12-3): This team is incredibly balanced, but how will they respond after the New Orleans loss this Sunday?

NFC West

St. Louis Rams (7-8): The Rams will clinch the division with a win over Seattle on Sunday night, but will likely have to face the Saints in the first round. It's been an incredible year for Sam Bradford and company.

AFC Division Winners

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs is congratulated by fans as he jumps into the stands after making a 75 yard touchdown catch during the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead S

AFC East

New England Patriots (13-2): The Patriots have already clinched and have homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. It will be almost impossible to beat them in Foxboro.

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4):  Pittsburgh needs to beat Cleveland on Sunday to clinch the division. After last year's nightmarish season, the Steelers have returned to their normal spot among the NFL's elite.

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts (9-6): The Colts can clinch with a win this Sunday. There was a point this year when things looked grim, but Peyton Manning has kept things on track and the team has finally discovered a ground game.

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs (10-5): They've clinched the division already. Is this a possible darkhorse in the AFC playoffs?

NFC Wild Card Teams

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham #80 in the second half during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (

New Orleans Saints (11-4)

The defending Super Bowl champs could still have a shot at the division title if they beat Tampa on Sunday, and Atlanta loses to Carolina. But the Panthers don't have a chance. Since losing to Cleveland, New Orleans has found a rhythm and has a 7-1 record, including Monday night's huge win at Atlanta.

Green Bay Packers (9-6)

Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews lead a Packers team that could easily pull off some upsets in the NFC playoffs. Green Bay almost beat Atlanta, and did have a shocking loss to Detroit, but nearly beat New England with backup quarterback Matt Flynn. Last week's win over the Giants could be an indication of things to come.

AFC Wild Card Teams

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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

Baltimore Ravens (11-4)

The Ravens have only lost once at home this year, and have been superb on both sides of the ball. Three of their four losses have come to NFL heavyweights (New England, Pittsburgh and Atlanta) by a combined 11 points. Pay careful attention to a potential rematch with New England. The Patriots won 23-20 in overtime on Oct. 17, and will get a chance to avenge last year's humiliating playoff loss to Baltimore.

New York Jets (10-5)

Time for Rex Ryan's team to back up their coach's talk. Are they talented? Of course. But they seem to do better creating drama, and barely winning games, too.

NFC Wild Card Game: New Orleans Saints (5) at St. Louis Rams (4)

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a touchdown pass in the first half during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox

The Saints will have to take to the road to begin their Super Bowl title defense. The two teams met on Dec. 12, with New Orleans winning 31-13. The Saints had more first downs (22-14), total yards (345-327) and controlled the clock against the young, talented Rams.

I'd like to say St. Louis has a chance, but New Orleans has talent, experience and knows how to succeed under playoff pressure. Give the Rams two more years, and they'll be serious contenders.

Prediction: New Orleans, 28-14.

NFC Wild Card Game: Green Bay Packers (6) at Philadelphia Eagles (3)

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on December 28, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Packers won at Philadelphia 27-20 in their season opener. Green Bay finished with 299 total yards, and Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdowns as well as two interceptions. Both teams have changed dramatically since then. Green Bay is fifth in pass defense (199.3) and 19th in rush defense (115.2). That will get tested against a top-notch, balanced Eagles offense that can kill you in a moment's notice with big plays.

Philadelphia has all the skill needed for a win, but watch for Green Bay's defense to try and fluster Michael Vick and get him into making rushed decisions.

Prediction: Green Bay, 35-31.

AFC Wild Card Game: New York Jets (6) at Kansas City Chiefs (3)

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets slips as he tosses the ball to a running back as Anthony Adams #95 and Israel Idonije #71 of the Chicago Bears rush at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defea

The Jets and Chiefs have two of the games top passers in Mark Sanchez and Matt Cassel. New York has squeaked out plenty of dramatic victories this year, so playing under pressure won't be a problem. But they'll be playing at Arrowhead, where the Chiefs are undefeated this year. Kansas City is way more balanced offensively, and watch and see what offensive coordinator Charlie Weis does to keep the Jets guessing.

I can see this game being close until the end, but if the Chiefs stick to what they've been doing, they'll be just fine and should be able to expose New York.

Prediction: Kansas City, 24-21. 

AFC Wild Card Game: Baltimore Ravens (5) at Indianapolis Colts (4)

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Running back Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs by linebacker Eric Barton #50 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Colts have rediscovered their run game, and do have an edge playing in the dome at home. But Baltimore's got plenty of veteran experience on defense, and the ability to get Peyton Manning to make costly mistakes. Joe Flacco and Ray Rice also lead a balanced offense that should be able to wear down a Colts defense that isn't quite as strong as it has been in recent years.

Indianapolis has done great and overcome a lot this year, but Baltimore is going to expose them.

Prediction: Baltimore, 35-21.

NFC Division Round: Green Bay (6) at Atlanta (1)

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 19: Running back Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons rushes against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 19, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The two teams just played on Nov. 28, and Matt Bryant's 47-yard field goal with nine seconds left gave the Falcons a 20-17 victory. Beating a team twice certainly isn't easy, and Atlanta will also be dealing with the pressure of being one of the NFC favorites to reach the Super Bowl. The pressure will also be on the defense to try and contain Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 344 yards in the first meeting.

Green Bay will make this close, but in the end, look for an inspired Falcons team to pull out a victory.

Prediction: Atlanta, 27-24.

NFC Division Round: New Orleans Saints (5) at Chicago Bears (2)

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Joe McKnight #25 of the New York Jets is tackled by Brian Iwuh #52, Rashied Davis #81, Garrett Wolfe #25 and Josh Bullocks #36 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated t

Jay Cutler has had a tremendous season, and the Bears defense has been dominant again. New Orleans will need to attack Cutler and keep in his face. Also, don't be shocked if Chicago makes the Saints one-dimensional and forces Drew Brees to beat them.

Devin Hester could be the X-factor in this game, and the Saints would be wise to keep the ball away from him, or find a way to tackle him deep.

As much as my gut says to go with the Saints, I know Chicago's got just the kind of defense that gets you to Super Bowls. Baltimore provided the blueprint with its Super Bowl XXXV run, and in this case, that will make the difference.

Prediction: Chicago, 31-24.

AFC Division Round: Baltimore Ravens (5) at New England Patriots (1)

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks tso pass against the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Image

Many have said it's Baltimore who has the best chance to knock New England from atop its perch. If the Ravens are going to do that, they're going to have to get Tom Brady into throwing interceptions, and attacking a young Patriots defense that doesn't have quite the playoff experience like those on offense.

New England's going to have to stretch the field with its runners (it would be stupid to try and run up the middle against Baltimore), and make sure Brady gets protection so he can get in a rhythm.

This will be a well-played game, but New England will make the critical plays late.

Prediction: New England, 35-34.

AFC Division Round: Kansas City Chiefs (3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2)

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers rushes during the game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

The question here is this: Can the Chiefs establish their run powerful game against a Steelers defense that is allowing 64 rushing yards per game? That will put all the pressure on Matt Cassel, who has had an MVP caliber-type season.

I would like to think Kansas City could keep this close, but I can also see the Chiefs making plenty of careless mistakes and costly turnovers. If they had trouble with the likes of Denver and Oakland, then Pittsburgh is going give them even worse problems.

Prediction: Pittsburgh, 27-17.

NFC Championship: Chicago Bears (2) at Atlanta Falcons (1)

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Roddy White #84 and Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate a first half touchdown during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty

Atlanta has managed to excel against talented defenses this year: It finished with 237 yards passing against Pittsburgh, 362 total yards against Baltimore and Michael Turner rushed for 110 yards against Green Bay. But can the Falcons contain Devin Hester and fluster Jay Cutler enough to keep him and Chicago's offense from developing any rhythmn?

I think this will be close in the first half, but I think "Matty Ice" and the Falcons will get aggressive downfield and pull away as the game progresses.

Prediction: Atlanta 38-21.

AFC Championship: Pittsburgh Steelers (2) at New England Patriots (1)

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Danny Woodhead #39, Benjarvus Green-Ellis #42, and Fred Taylor #21 of the Patriots celebrate a touchdown in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York

You could say that New England really began to develop its confidence when it beat the Steelers 39-26 at Heinz Field on Nov. 14. The Patriots finished the game with 453 total yards, and Tom Brady threw for three touchdowns. If they're going to have any different results, Pittsburgh will need to capitalize on its scoring chances and not give the ball back, and the defense will need to find some way to pressure Brady and keep the Patriots off the field.

If this wasn't at Foxboro, perhaps. But Brady and the Patriots will keep gaining confidence with each game.

Prediction: New England 42-21.

Super Bowl: New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: The mascot for the New England Patriots leads the team onto the feild before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the game 31-27. (Photo by

Sure, Matt Ryan and Michael Turner may make this interesting for a quarter, but this has all the makings of a blowout. New England's been on this stage before, and Bill Belichick will create tons of confusion for Ryan as the game progresses.

Atlanta's here to stay, but right now it doesn't match up with New England at all to pull off this upset.

Prediction: New England 38-21.