NFL Playoff Predictions: 10 Crazy Things We Could See This Weekend

The divisional round of the 2011 NFL Playoffs is here. 

First, we'll see the Baltimore Ravens play the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC North clash. That will be followed by a battle between the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Falcons. 

On Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears will play, and then the AFC East will finish things up when the New York Jets take on the New England Patriots. 

Crazy things happen throughout the year in the NFL, especially in the playoffs where anything can happen.

Read on for 10 crazy things that could happen this weekend, but keep in mind that these are separate events. Some may seem contradictory unless you remember that.  

Ravens and Steelers Go To Overtime

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CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a play against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Ravens and the Steelers are long-time foes and they know each other quite well. 

In fact, they've already played each other twice this year since both teams call the AFC North home. 

Week 4 saw Baltimore travel to Pittsburgh and take down the Steelers 17-14, but then they lost at the home rematch in Week 13, 13-10. 

If you average those out, the score would be 13.5-13.5, meaning that this one could very well go to overtime. 

Ravens and Steelers Fail To Score in the First 15 Minutes of Overtime

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Linebacker Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens reads the play in 2011 AFC wild card playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/G

The Ravens and the Steelers could very well play out the original 15 minutes of overtime in scoreless fashion. 

Both teams play tough, physical, hard-nosed defense and don't like to let other teams score. 

After battling it out throughout regulation, the offenses are going to battered and bruised. 

We could very well see a sixth quarter of play if this one reaches overtime. 

Green Bay Runs For 100 Yards

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers tries to avoid the takle of Ernie Sims #50 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pe

Green Bay has the 24th ranked rushing offense, gaining just 100.4 yards per game on the ground. 

Brandon Jackson is the leading rusher at 703 yards. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is second. 

Additionally, the Atlanta Falcons have a very good run-stopping defense, the 10th best in the league. 

It seems unlikely, but the Packers could emphasize the run and hit the century mark. 

Atlanta Wins By 20 Points

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass during warm-ups prior to the start of the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran

In my opinion, the Atlanta Falcons are much better than the Green Bay Packers. 

Matt Ryan simply doesn't lose in the Georgia Dome and the offense has been humming along all season. 

Plus, the defense has picked it up lately. 

Couple that with the fact that the Falcons had a bye week and should all be fully healthy and ready to go—the result could be scary. 

Jay Cutler Throws Four Interceptions

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears looks for a receiver 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 Images)

The Seattle Seahawks did a great job neutralizing the talented arm of Drew Brees in their wild card matchup against the New Orleans Saints. 

Now, they have to shut down the equally talented but much more mistake-prone arm of Jay Cutler. 

Cutler is known for making great throws but then making stupid decisions that lead to interceptions. 

It's not out of the question that he puts up four picks on his stat sheet. 

The Seahawks Get Back to .500

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after running back Marshawn Lynch #24 scores on a 67-yard run in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Q

If the Seattle Seahawks could take down the Chicago Bears and advance to the NFC Championship Game, they'd be 9-9. 

Does that mean that everyone would stop whining about how there's a sub-.500 team in the playoffs? They would after all have just as many wins as losses if they got a victory on Sunday. 

To do that, the Seahawks will have to play a nearly perfect game, but they proved that they can do that last weekend against the Saints. 

This is not out of the question at all. Especially if Marshawn Lynch refuses to be tackled again. 

Tom Brady Throws an Interception

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

The Jets defense is supposed to be pretty good, but so is Tom Brady. 

He's already obliterated Bernie Kosar's record for consecutive passes without an interception, but the streak has to end at some point. 

It seems highly unlikely that Brady is capable of making a mistake, but if any cornerback tandem is going to force him into one, it will be Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis. 

I doubt this happens, but it could. 

New England Patriots Win By 40 Again

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

In Week 13, the New England Patriots embarrassed the New York Jets on Monday Night Football by demolishing them 45-3. 

That game wasn't even as significant as this one. 

The Patriots have been killing everyone they've played and this game should be no different. Tom Brady is virtually perfect and the Patriots defense has really been stepping it up lately. 

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Bill Belichick refuse to take his foot off the gas pedal until the final whistle blows. 

Rex Ryan Puts Foot In Mouth

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets looks on against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Gett

Rex Ryan has been making this game fairly personal lately with his remarks to the media and his inability to keep his players from providing the Patriots with billboard fodder. 

Too bad for him, the game won't exactly go well. 

Rex Ryan is going to finish this week by being eliminated from the playoffs and having to sit at the post-game press conference with his foot in his mouth, metaphorically at least. 

When he gets home, that may become literal. 

All The Home Teams Win

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks upfield to pass during the second half of the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

There are almost always upsets in the NFL playoffs. 

Therefore, while it seems like this prediction isn't crazy, it kind of is. 

This is the year though that all four home teams will win and we'll see two matchups of No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in the conference championship games. 

New England, Atlanta, Chicago and Pittsburgh should all be too much for their respective opponents to handle.