NFL Playoffs: Who Has the Coaching Edge in Each Matchup?

One great part about this weekend's NFL divisional round games are the coaching match-ups.

Three coaches—Chicago's Lovie Smith, Bill Belichick of New England and Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin—have coached in Super Bowls.

Pete Carroll out-coached the Saints last week, but will now get a shot at doing it again with the Bears.

Mike Smith's Falcons won the NFC South and have homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, but will face an aggressive Green Bay defense that shut down Philadelphia's talented offense on Sunday.

Who has the edge? Let's take a look and predict which coach will prevail.

AFC: Baltimore (John Harbaugh) v. Pittsburgh (Mike Tomlin)

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers argues with referees after a scrum took place in the middle of the field during the game against the Oakland Raiders on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvan

Edge: Tomlin

Technically, I'd say it's even.

Both teams have split this year's series, both have talented offenses and defenses and other big wins this year.

I'm impressed that Harbaugh and the Ravens played so well at Arrowhead last week, and how they did give New England a test earlier this year, but I'll give Tomlin the edge here since he has won a Super Bowl.

NFC: Chicago (Love Smith) v. Seattle (Pete Carroll)

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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)

Edge: Smith

Sure, it's nice to see such an underdog like Seattle in the playoffs, but Smith has had this team steadily improving as the season's gone on.

They did have a massive letdown against New England, but also beat the Jets and Eagles, and split with Green Bay. 

AFC: New York Jets (Rex Ryan) v. New England (Bill Belichick)

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots leaves the field after beating Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots beat the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty I

Edge: Belichick

You know both coaches will be jacked for this game, and Belichick might crack a smile at the end if the Patriots win in Foxboro. You also have to figure he would gain some satisfaction if New England jumps out to a big lead again just like in their 45-3 victory.

He's a master strategist, he's coached in big games and having Tom Brady on your side certainly doesn't hurt him either.

NFC: Green Bay Packers (Mike McCarthy) v. Atlanta Falcons (Mike Smith)

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Mike McCarthy, head coach of the Green Bay Packers, looks on during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Edge: McCarthy

By the slimmest of margins.

Smith has helped Atlanta emerge as an NFC power, but McCarthy has helped Green Bay remain successful even with all their injuries.

The Pack could have fallen apart after losses to Detroit and New England, but instead won their final two games of the regular season before defeating Philadelphia on Sunday.