Super Bowl 2012: Predicting the 10 Most Likely Matchups in Indianapolis

With Super Bowl 2011 just about to get underway, it can never be too early to start hypothesizing as to what Super Bowl 2012 will hold for us (especially for those fans whose teams are officially out of the running in 2011).

I put a couple of dark horses in here, as you'll see, but I also highly ranked a Green Bay Packers-Pittsburgh Steelers rematch, a matchup that clearly intrigues me, with two top defenses with accompanying offenses battling it out.

The New England Patriots and New York Jets were at the forefront of a lot of headlines, but they didn't even make it to the Super Bowl this year.

That could change in 2012.

Here are the top 10 most likely matchups for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.

10. Atlanta Falcons vs. Baltimore Ravens

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons converses with quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens after the Falcons 26-21 win at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Im

A mere five points separated the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens in their Week 10 matchup this year, with the Falcons coming out on top, 26-21.

The Ravens ended up losing by a touchdown to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round.

The Falcons surprisingly got blown out at home against the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round, 48-21, despite holding a 13-3 regular season record.

Both are top teams in the NFL, and if the Falcons can improve their defense (which steadily improved throughout the season) then I could see them being one of the dark horses to face up with a Ravens team with the offense to make it happen now.

9. New Orleans Saints vs. New York Jets

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 04: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints avoids a tackle by Eric Smith #33 of the New York Jets at the Louisana Superdome on October 4, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

When you have a quarterback like Drew Brees, anything is possible for a Saints team that appeared strong before getting picked apart by Matt Hasselbeck and the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round.

Before the meltdown, the Saints were 11-5 and had beaten the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons in the regular season.

They have the offense. A couple of moves on the defensive end, with a possible big free agent landing in New Orleans, could boost the Saints to the Super Bowl.

We all know about the Jets, a gritty defensive team that had the opposite problem of the Saints: their offense.

The Jets need to decide if QB Mark Sanchez can indeed lead the team to a Super Bowl, but they came close this year and some improved play from Sanchez could be just the ticket to jet them to Indianapolis.

8. Chicago Bears vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 20: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears looks to pass under pressure from LaMarr Woodley #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Soldier Field on September 20, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Steelers 17-14. (Photo by Jonath

What a great matchup this would be: two top defenses going at it with Bears QB Jay Cutler getting another chance at redemption on the game's biggest stage.

The Steelers, in my mind, have a very good chance to make the Super Bowl again next season. I expect them to re-sign free-agent linebacker LaMarr Woodley and keep their defense intact. It's going to be interesting what they do if receiver Hines Ward retires after this year, though.

7. Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Lance Briggs #55 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

The Chicago Bears had a ferocious defense this year fitting of their team's historic creed.

But an injury to starting QB Jay Cutler finished them against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game.

They only lost by a touchdown despite Cutler's injury, and they certainly have the defense to subdue the Packers offense and advance next year.

The New England Patriots, at 14-2, were the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs. But a great game plan by the Jets finished the Patriots in shocking fashion in the divisional round.

But you can never count out Tom Brady and the Patriots for another Super Bowl run.

6. Green Bay Packers vs. New York Jets

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass under pressure from Calvin Pace #97 of the New York Jets on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Ge

I still believe in the New York Jets, despite some shortcomings this season.

They came very close to making it to the Super Bowl this season, losing 24-19 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.

The Green Bay Packers appear to be set for a run here, even if they lose defensive end Cullen Jenkins and receiver James Jones to free agency.

Their top players are in place for another Super Bowl run next year, including Defensive Player of the Year candidate and Butkus Award winner Clay Matthews.

5. Green Bay Packers vs. Baltimore Ravens

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens tries to gather his defensive teammates during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Ravens 27-17. (Ph

Ray Lewis and Clay Matthews taking turns destroying offensive game plans?

Sounds like my cup of tea...or type of cheese, however you want to put it.

Again, the Ravens have the offense to legitimately compete for the crown now, and they'll be rearing to go after losing to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round this year.

4. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Trotma

With the lift that QB Michael Vick has given the Eagles, I don't find it a reach at all for them to make it to the Super Bowl with another year under their belt.

The Eagles reportedly plan to franchise Vick, so Eagles fans need not worry about him returning or not.

They need some work on defense, a unit that slightly disappointed this year, but with their defensive game plan there's always the possibility of forcing a lot of turnovers.

The Steelers should be right in the hunt, too.

Would be interesting to see how a more seasoned Vick performs against a defense very similar to that of Green Bay's, which held Vick and the Eagles to 16 points in the Wild Card round.

3. Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs down field against Jarius Wynn #94 of the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylva

The Patriots will look to get back to where they used to belong.

The Patriots' last Super Bowl title came in 2004 against the, yes, you guessed it, Philadelphia Eagles.

What a rematch this would be, the young star in Vick using his legs to look like a much faster Donovan McNabb.

2. Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 20: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws the game winning touchdown pass in the fourth quarter in front of BJ Raji #90 of the Green Bay Packers during the game on December 20, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pen

At the moment, I do consider the Packers and Steelers to be the No. 1 teams of their respective conferences, despite what Patriots, Jets, Ravens or Bears fans may say.

Looking forward, I don't expect them to miss many key pieces, but when was the last time the same teams faced each other in back-to-back Super Bowls?

Try 1992 and 1993 (the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills).

1. Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a touchdown pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez #85 (not pictured) in the fourth quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2

As much as I see the Steelers as the top team in the AFC now, I see the Patriots finding a way to make it back to their first Super Bowl since 2007.

Sure, that's not really a long time in between Super Bowls, but the Patriots still have arguably the best quarterback in the NFL and always seem to find a way to get back there.

As for the Packers, I see them being the top team in the NFC next season, with a QB in Aaron Rodgers that has transcended to elite status and a defense that is one of the most dominant in the league.