NFL Playoff Predictions: Picking the Winners of Next Week's Showdowns

After months of speculation and prognostication, we now have a playoff tree to talk about. We are just six days away from an actual NFL playoff snap taking place.

So, here we delve into the matchups that the NFL gods have given us. Not only do we have the teams that will do battle, but we have the outcomes as well.

The Wild Card Round is up first. Let's jump right in and let you know who will be going on to the games that matter. Then I will let you know the answer to that little question that has been burning in your subconscious. Yes, I will tell you who the Super Bowl champs will be, and how they got there. 

Ladies and gentleman, this is how the playoffs will go down in 2011. 

AFC: No. 6 New York Jets at No. 3 Indianapolis Colts

Al Bello/Getty Images

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)

Saturday, January 8th

Such is the wisdom of the NFL and their playoff scenarios. The Jets, for all intents and purposes, had a much better year than the Colts.

Sure, they were embarrassed on national television by the Patriots and followed that up with another loss, but the Colts were worse. They had a string of games that almost ousted them from the postseason. Peyton Manning looked like anything but himself.

This is an easy pick. The Jets may have a couple of question marks on offense, but that will not matter. The Colts have shown that they are susceptible to any team posing a threat in the secondary. That is the Jets' bread and butter.

Prediction: Jets 27, Colts 17

AFC: No. 5 Baltimore Ravens at No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs

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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)

Sunday, January 9th

This will be a good one. You have the hard-nosed defense of the Baltimore Ravens versus the high-octane running attack of the Kansas City Chiefs.

The game comes down to Joe Flacco. Ray Rice will get his yards. The Chiefs have proven they can stop the run, but with the Ravens line and Rice's athleticism, that will be tough to do.

If Flacco can spread the field as he has done before, the Ravens will move on to the next round. I also find it difficult to know which Matt Cassel will show up. He is one of the more inconsistent arms in the NFL. I have the Ravens and their defense taking it to the Chiefs.

Prediction: Ravens 20, Chiefs 13

NFC: No. 5 New Orleans Saints at No. 4 Seattle Seahawks

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Saturday, January 8th

The Seahawks just played the best game of their season without their starter, Matt Hasselbeck. It is anyone's guess why they chose to perform so well on the last possible night of the season.

But it was enough to get them in. The Seahawks finishing the season at 7-9 leaves us NFL fans little hope that this game will be close.

The Saints failed to get a bye in the Wild Card Round, but they have the next best thing: a game against Seattle. They have the advantage all over the field. This will be an ugly affair.

Prediction: Saints 27, Seahawks 12

NFC: No. 6 Green Bay Packers at No. 3 Philadelphia 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)

Sunday, January 9th

Green Bay celebrated a playoff berth on Sunday. It will be short-lived. The Packers do have a little hope in that Michael Vick has been hobbled with a quadriceps injury. But the Eagles had the luxury of resting their quarterback this week.

Vick should be ready to go on Sunday. If not, he is still a monster, even on one leg. Couple that with the week off that was given to DeSean Jackson and Asante Samuel, and the Packers will be stretched too thin to contend.

The Packers are still a few players away from being a real contender, and that fact will be illustrated next weekend.

Prediction: Packers 17, Eagles 24

AFC Second Round: at No. 2 Pittsburgh Steelers

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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.

Saturday, January 15th

Highest remaining seed at No. 2 Pittsburgh Steelers.

This will most likely be the Baltimore Ravens, if you believe my picks. That means we will be treated to a low-scoring affair that purists will fawn over and fans will sleep through.

The Steelers are a real threat to win it all. They have the means to stop any team and their fiercest weapon. They are no slouches on offense, either. This is one team that mixes savvy vets with young talent quite well.

If there were no Patriots, the Steelers would be the model to strive for.

Prediction: Steelers Move On 

AFC Second Round: at No. 1 New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Tom Brady #12of the New England Patriots celebrates the touchdown with teammate Brian Hoyer #8 in the first half against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty

Sunday, January 16th

Lowest remaining seed at No. 1 New England Patriots.

So, if the Jets get past the Colts, they have the unenviable task of taking on their rivals, the New England Patriots, away. That did not exactly work for them the last time this happened.

The Patriots look like the far and away favorites to win the whole thing. They have nary a hole on their team. They used to be susceptible in the secondary, but showed that they can also stop great teams with that part of their team, too.

This could very well be a very special year for the Patriots.

Prediction: Patriots Move On

NFC Second Round: at No. 2 Chicago Bears

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears on the sidelines against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Sunday, January 16th 

Highest remaining seed at No. 2 Chicago Bears.

The Bears looked absolutely dismal to start the season. It looked like Jay Cutler was in danger of losing his life for lack of an offensive line. But the Bears have turned it around. 

But that bad taste in everyone's mouth was at the start of the season. That is why I would not be surprised if this were 2006 all over again. A very unheralded Chicago Bears team making it all the way to the big game in February. It could happen. 

Jay Cutler is playing lights out. Matt Forte cannot be stopped. And their defense is one of the best in the league. 

Prediction: Bears Move On 

NFC Second Round: at No. 1 Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons waits for a play call against the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Saturday, January 15th

Lowest remaining seed at No. 1 Atlanta Falcons.

The Falcons do not have the best road to the Super Bowl. The NFC is stacked and the Seahawks No. 4 seed has pushed some of the cream a bit lower. 

The Falcons will most likely get the New Orleans Saints. That is hardly a gift for having such a magical year. But I like the Falcons' chances versus just about anyone.

Matt Ryan's praises have been sung by just about every sports outlet. Well, I am here to pile on. Ryan just plays the right way. He is efficient and calm under pressure. 

That is really all you need in a leader, someone who will get the job done. As long as Ryan is healthy, the Falcons will be a force to be reckoned with. 

Prediction: Falcons Move On 

AFC Championship Game

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Jerod Mayo #51 of the New England Patriots congratulates Vince Wilfork #75 in the second half against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Sunday, January 23rd

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots

This is how I have it slated. You will not want to miss this game. The Steelers will give the Patriots all they have. And New England will show what it means to play well under pressure. 

The Patriots win this one. They are just too hot a team to lose at home, even to the Steelers. You get that feeling that no matter what happens, the Patriots are destined to make it to the big game. There is nothing that will stand in their way. 

Prediction: New England to the Super Bowl

NFC Championship Game

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

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

Sunday, January 23rd

Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons 

Here is where I differ from many NFL fans and followers. I like Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons, a lot. But the Bears are adept at stopping the run. In fact, they tout the third-best yardage against the run in the NFL. 

After Matt Ryan, you have Michael Turner. If he is contained, that leaves too much for Ryan to contend with. I think the Bears are a solid team that have been underappreciated this season. They will get over on the Falcons and go once more to the Super Bowl. 

Prediction: Chicago to the Super Bowl 

Super Bowl

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots calls out the play in the first half against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Sunday, February 6th 

Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas, 6:30 p.m. ET

Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots 

Many of you will shout from the hilltops about my Bears pick. But I think we can all agree that right now it is the Patriots and everyone else. 

New England is playing at such a high level that I can't see any team that could take them down right now, from any era. 

So, if my prognostication comes to fruition, you can bet that the Bears will bow out at the last minute. The Patriots take home the most coveted prize in all of sport, the Super Bowl championship. 

Prediction: New England Wins Super Bowl