NFL Divisional Playoffs: Bears, Packers, Ravens and Patriots Will Be Victorious

So far, the NFL playoffs have proven to be exciting and entertaining. With the Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, and New Orleans Saints being eliminated, it leaves eight teams with a chance of reaching the Super Bowl in February.

The Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers have all had a bye-week to get healthy and prepare for their opponents. These games look to be even more entertaining than the action we saw last week.

With the Packers coming into Atlanta looking to get redemption, and the Bears looking to show the NFL that the offensive line won't let Jay Cutler be brutalized, the NFC games are rematches of the regular season.

The loser of the the regular season games could learn from their mistakes en route to the title game.

We always know what to expect from a matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers: pure, physical smash-mouth football. Both teams have deep threats, unlike their traditional culture of the past.

While the Ravens could put the Steelers in a stalemate, the Jets have to find a way to fluster a "team" that knows its roles.

The Patriots could show the Jets that they will have their number for years to come.

The Packers Will Build More Momentum

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers rushes upfield away from Corey Peters #91 of the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Falcons have proven to be superior to most opponents in the Georgia Dome this season. Matt Ryan has helped the Falcons with his decisions in crucial situations. When the deep passing to Pro-Bowler Roddy White is not working, Atlanta has a running back in Michael Turner who can run downfield and get the tough yards on third down.

Having a bruiser in the backfield leads to play action passes and big plays, but Green Bay has an answer for both: Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews.

The Green Bay Packers have momentum on their side. The Dave Campo 3-4 defense has been playing at another level and Aaron Rodgers has put the team on his back. Sunday, the Packers showed the country they could run the ball effectively as well. The injury bug plagued the team, but they have been resilient.

The Falcons are one of the lower-ranked pass defenses in the league, so look for Green Bay to exploit Atlanta’s secondary and come away with a close win in Atlanta and head to Soldier Field to see the rival Chicago Bears.

The Bears Have a Chance To See Who They Really Are

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 17: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears is sacked by Aaron Curry #59 of the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on October 17, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears will face Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field. When the Seahawks played the Bears early in the season, the Bears didn't convert a third down and Jay Cutler was sacked six times. Since that time, the Bears have rotated offensive lineman and have adapted the Martz offense to the personnel.

The changes have proved successful when Jay Cutler has time in the pocket. If this Bears offense has improved, they should tear up the lower ranked Seahawks pass defense.

It sounds simple; beat the Seattle Seahawks at home. This is the easiest road the Bears could've got in the playoffs to the NFC title game. They have been beat by the elite teams, and let the Jets score over 30 points against them late in the season.

The Bears have to play sound, mistake-free football to take themselves to the big dance.

The Seahawks upset the Saints last week in Seattle. They had a 7-9 record in the regular season, but the addition of Marshawn Lynch and Pete Carroll coaching up his team has been some of the turning points. The NFC West was pathetic this year, and everybody counted Seattle out in the first round.

Look for the Bears to open up the playbook on offense and defense to use what they have learned since the bye to overcome the Seahawks. Matt Hasselbeck will have to deal with a front four rush that has improved every week.

Look for the Bears to take their improvement from the regular season to come out on top.

Polamalu Can't Cover Everybody

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PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs down Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Championship game on January 18, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers just do what they do. Pittsburgh’s defense can put pressure on the quarterback and create turnovers with Troy Polamalu. It can matchup with any team in the AFC, but the Baltimore Ravens play with the same mindset of physicality and intimidation.

The Ravens now have weapons at the receiver position and Ray Rice in the backfield. He can create problems for any team with his big-play capabilities.

If the Steelers focus on stopping the run, Joe Flacco has the options of Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason, Donte Stallworth, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and the seemingly always open Todd Heap. Troy is the best safety in league right now, but he can't be on every spot of the field, and he is a little dinged up.

The Ravens defense is susceptible to the pass, so look for this game to be more high-scoring than expected, and for Baltimore to move on to the AFC Championship. Both teams have big play passing threats, so ironically, the offenses could shine in this game.

Baltimore will win, and Ray Rice will be a decoy to open up the pass because the Steelers will put the running game in check early on.

The Patriots Have Had Too Much Time To Prepare To Lose

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots is congratulated by teammate Jerod Mayo #51 after McCourty intercepted a pass by the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/

The New England Patriots are facing the New York Jets in Foxboro. Earlier in the year, the Patriots destroyed the Jets, 45-3, and quieted the boisterous Rex Ryan, who always brings bulletin board material for opponents every week.

The Patriots have not been challenged since a loss against the Browns. Bill Belichick has taken no name guys and put them in his system with great results.

The Jets are coming off a close win against the injury-laden Indianapolis Colts. Darrelle Revis shut down Reggie Wayne, but Peyton Manning is not Tom Brady. Brady has shown that he doesn’t need the superstar wide receiver to pick apart elite defenses.

Lately, he has turned to his young tight ends, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis has taken his game to the next level.

If Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis lock down their receivers, Bill Belichick will adjust and find a way to win. The Jets don't have a premier pass rusher, and must rely on their scheme to have any success against the Patriots.

Mark Sanchez will have to prove that he can be better in crucial situations. The Patriots' young secondary could get multiple interceptions in this game.

The Patriots will show why they "are" the AFC East, and the Jets will wonder what went wrong for another season. Bill Belichick isn't the best at the post-game news conference because he knows talk is cheap.

The NFC/AFC Title Games Could Be Epic

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: The color guard presents a full field flag for the national anthem before the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 20

The NFC and AFC Championship games could be rivalry games.

If the Bears and Packers face each other, it will be the first time both teams have squared off in the playoffs since 1941. Both teams would love to eliminate their biggest rival and punch their tickets to Dallas.

Jay Cutler could be the savior in Chicago, and Aaron Rodgers could gain the status as a top-three quarterback in the NFL.  

The Patriots and the Ravens have had some very memorable games in the regular season and postseason. The chess match between Tom Brady and Ray Lewis is always must see TV; being in the AFC title game would be icing on the cake.

The NFL regular season is parity ridden, but usually the elite teams weed out the pretenders.

The TV ratings will show that the NFL is the the most popular sport in the country by a landslide.