The NFL Playoff Picture Is Clear, Can the Patriots Win the Superbowl?

The 2010 NFL segular season was highlighted by crazy catch rules, illegal hits, weather trouble, the lockout and a team with a losing record sneaking into the playoffs.

Traditional doormats – KC, Tampa Bay and St. Louis – were fighting for a playoff berth; while Dallas and Minnesota, two preseason favorites, lost their coaches and playoff bids early in the season.

With the regular season behind us, we start anew: 12 teams, 11 games and one big date in Dallas. 

Here are my picks:

NFC Wild Card Weekend: Saints and Seahawks, Packers and Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks - Saturday, January 8, 4:30 pm

This is unfair. The Saints have to go on the road, to play an NFC Worst team that couldn't reach .500. 

The Saints are good, but not great this year, and they have had a few letdowns throughout the season. That being said, for the Seahawks, just getting into the playoffs is reason enough to celebrate. Saints win. 

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles - Sunday, January 9, 4:30 pm

The Packers were among the preseason favorites to reach the Superbowl, and with a narrow victory against the Bears in Week 17, they were able to sneak in. They'll be matched up against Vick and the Eagles in what is the most exciting matchup in the Wild Card round.

Michael Vick was among the best stories of the year in 2010, but I have a feeling that the story may end on a sour note. The defenses have been blitzing Vick like crazy over the past few weeks, and it's taken its toll. If the Packers can get to Vick early, I think they can get him out of rhythm. I like Vick and the Eagles, but I'm giving this one to the Packers.

Wild Card Weekend, AFC: Jets and Colts, Ravens and Chiefs

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 02: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets celebrates their 38 - 7 win over the Buffalo Bills at New Meadowlands Stadium on January 2, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts - Saturday, January 8, 8:00 pm

This is a rematch of last year's AFC championship, where the Colts were able to hold off the upstart Jets. These two teams came into this season with a lot of fanfare, and neither is looking like a Superbowl contender as of now. 

If this were the regular season, I'd take Manning hands down, but his playoff record isn't nearly as impressive as in the regular season. I take the Jets with a (minor) upset. 

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs - Sunday, January 9, 1:00 pm

Everybody expected the Ravens to be in the playoffs, albeit most thought they'd earn a bye through the first week. Nobody thought the Chiefs would be here, let alone hosting a playoff game. 

Matt Cassel has looked impressive this year, and Chiefs fans are going to be riled up for this one, giving the Ravens offense problems. But making the playoffs was the only goal for the Chiefs, and the Ravens have bigger and better things to attend to, like a second game on the road. 

AFC Divisional Playoffs: Ravens and Steelers, Jets and Patriots

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CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after scoring a touchdown with wide receiver Mike Wallace #17 against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers -Saturday, January 15, 4:30 pm

This is a huge matchup of division foes, they split their games this year, with both teams winning on the road. They are each led by the games best linebackers and safeties, and both offenses are pretty similar as well; they have playmakers at every position. 

The difference here, I believe, is the play of the quarterback. While Flacco was able to get a huge win at New England last year, no other quarterback currently in the NFL (besides Brady), has been as successful in the postseason as Ben Roethlisburger. This is going to be an epic battle. I give the victory to the home team. 

New York Jets at New England Patriots - Sunday, January 16, 4:30 pm

The Patriots are playing great football, and I don't see the Jets beating them this year. Patriots win. 

NFC Divisional Playoffs: Packers and Falcons, Saints and Bears

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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

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons - Saturday, January 15, 8:00 pm

With only three losses, the Falcons surprised many by playing the best football in the NFC. Their record at home had been outstanding, but last week they had a rare slip-up and showed they are not invincible at home in the dome.

With the Packers basically playing in their fourth straight playoff game, I just feel like the Packers will be rolling. The expectations are huge in Atlanta, and that may be their downfall. Packers win. 

New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears - Sunday, January 16, 1:00 pm

The Chicago Bears, like the Falcons, surprised many by earning a first-round bye. Their defense has looked great at times. The problem with the Bears is that Jay Cutler is their quarterback. He has all the confidence in the world, and that comes back to haunts him sometimes. 

I'll take Drew Brees over Jay Cutler any time. Saints win. 

NFC Championship: Packers and Saints

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is chased 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)

Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints - Sunday, January 23, 6:30 pm

Like I said, the Saints lucked out in these playoffs, being favorites in every game they play and hosting the NFC Championship game, despite coming in as a No. 5 seed. 

If you said these two teams were going to be playing in the NFC Championship Game before the season started, you'd get no argument from most NFL fans. However, if you said the two lowest-seeded teams coming into the playoffs would be playing for a chance at the Super Bowl, many would assume you were crazy. Parity is wild in the NFC, and these two teams have as good of a shot as any. 

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints had their miracle season last year and have a great shot at doing so again. But Aaron Rodgers is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL today, and with his team of wideouts, I just don't see anybody slowing him down. Not to mention, the Packers defense is playing great football now. 

Packers go to the Super Bowl. 

AFC Championship: Steelers and Patriots

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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

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots - Sunday, January 23, 3:00 pm

This matchup may pit the two best teams in the NFL against each other. The New England Patriots manhandled the Steelers when they met late in the regular season, but throw that out when they meet for a chance to go to the Super Bowl. These two teams have been here before and know what it takes to win, as they are among the best franchises in the NFL. 

Ben Roethlisburger and Tom Brady are the game's best big-game quarterbacks, and both are looking to cement their status among the all-time greats. 

Just looking at the individual match-ups, you might take the Steelers in this one. But, if you watched the teams play all year long, you'd know the Patriots are the best team in the NFL, hands down. 

Brady loves to pick apart a team before the ball has even been snapped; and nobody creates outside the pocket like Big Ben. I've been waiting for this game all year long. 

Patriots win. 

Superbowl: Packers and Patriots Go to Dallas

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown scored by running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 (not pictured) against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on

Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots - Sunday, February 6, 6:30 pm

The No. 6 seed from the NFC, led by one of the most exciting young players in the game, going up against the most dominant team in the NFL. 

Green Bay will be riding a long, hot streak if they are able to make it this far and have all the right players in all the right positions to get it done, with the exception of a great, clock-draining running back, and that may be their achilles heel.

Tom Brady, the leagues MVP, will have a chance to claim his spot among the best ever if he can get a victory here. With Bill Belichik on the sidelines and Brady at the helm, I just don't see them losing. 

Patriots win.