NFL Playoff Predictions: Projecting Every Game in The Divisional Round

These NFL Playoffs promise to be mighty entertaining.

Rex Ryan continues to write checks that his team has shown incapable of cashing, most of the world continues to underestimate the surprising Seattle Seahawks, and Aaron Rodgers is looking to show a confident Matt Ryan that he still has a thing or two to learn about being a championship quarterback.

With the action set to kick off Saturday afternoon, let's take a look at how each team stacks up against one another.

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

These two teams really don't like one another.

After battling it out for the length of the season for the title of AFC North champ, the two teams meet in the second round of the playoffs in what should be a very physical matchup. Both teams have imposing defensive units that will look to shut down the ground game very early.

The Steelers are likely to bring pressure on QB Joe Flacco early and often, forcing him to make some quick decisions that could result in interceptions. On the other side, the Ravens will look to limit the big-play potential of the Pittsburgh offense, making this one a grind-it-out style of game.

As Ray Lewis has said, the Ravens have to finish, and if they want to do that, they'll have to get by Pittsburgh first.

Prediction: Baltimore 17, Pittsburgh 16 

Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons

At the onset of the season, if you had told anyone that the Packers and Falcons would meet in the divisional round with the one seed taking on the six, 99 out of 100 people would have conceded that the Packers would be No. 1.

But that's why they play the game.

Aaron Rodgers has his team riding high with lots of momentum heading into the matchup against the Falcons, despite the team losing two potent offensive weapons early in the season in RB Ryan Grant and TE Jermichael Finley.

Although the Atlanta defense is very improved, the Packers led the league in five-wide receiver sets, and that type of offensive scheming will provide a serious challenge to the budding Atlanta unit.

Matt Ryan might be close to automatic at home, but close only counts in horseshoes.

Prediction: Packers 31, Falcons 24

Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears

This Cinderella story is about to come to an abrupt halt.

While Matt Hasselbeck looked rejuvenated against a questionable Saints defense last weekend, this time he faces a much more impressive group. Led by free-agent acquisition DE Julius Peppers, the Chicago defense is once again striking fear into the heart of any opponent.

Additionally, offensive coordinator Mike Martz has had the team's offense really clicking since their bye week, and RB Matt Forte's bounceback year has dramatically helped to take some of the pressure off of Cutler.

Regularly drawing comparisons to Brett Favre, as long as Cutler can avoid making ill-advised throws when it's completely unnecessary, this one should be over rather early.

Prediction: Bears 35, Seahawks 20

New York Jets @ New England Patriots

The game that everyone is waiting for is finally about to be here.

Although the season battle stands at one game apiece, it's obvious that the Patriots are playing on a different level right now. QB Tom Brady is absolutely playing the best football of his sensational career, and the Pats spread attack is tremendously difficult to contain for any opposing defensive unit.

While the New York secondary has looked very much improved as of late, the loss of S Jim Leonhard is proving to be a huge one, as fill-in Eric Smith doesn't have half the talent that Leonhard does. While they should be able to stuff the ground game for the most part, it should be interesting to see how they attempt to defend the New England tight ends, who are heavily involved in the offensive attack.

QB Mark Sanchez is going to have to play the game of his life for the Jets to come out on top, and despite the Pats defense being rather young, CB Devin McCourty is quickly making a name for himself as one of the future stars at the position.

While it shouldn't be a 45-3 blowout like in the last matchup, it would be really remarkable to see the Jets come into that environment and win.

Prediction: Patriots 31, Jets 21