Super Bowl XLV: 10 Intense Matchups We Want to See Next Year in Indy

The 2011 Super Bowl pits two of the most historic franchises in the game. The long, storied traditions of the two make this year's big game one the best in recent memory.

But it's never too early to start thinking about next year's Super Bowl.

Fans across the country are crossing their fingers that a labor deal is met. The odds of an agreement being met have increased over the past few days but the chances of a lock out are real.

Assuming a deal is met...what is the matchup you would like to see most in 2012?

Here are 10 of the juiciest games that could be played in the 2012 Super Bowl.

10. Patriots Vs. Giants

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

We all know Tom Brady would love another crack at the Giants.

In one of the most epic Super Bowls ever, Eli Manning and the Giants beat the undefeated Patriots in 2008. The game will always be remembered for the "Helmet Catch" by David Tyree.

It was an extremely physical game and also the day that Eli Manning stepped out of his older brother's shadow.

The revenge factor is off the charts for the Pats in this one.

9. Jets Vs. Seahawks

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets reacts during their 2011 AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

OK, so it may not be too realistic to think that the Seahawks could make the Super Bowl next year but this matchup is all about the antics off the field.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan is one of the most animated of all time.

Pete Carroll isn't too far behind.

Imagine the sound bites of the two in the two weeks leading up to the game. Shots will be fired and it would make the painfully long two weeks a lot more bearable.

On the field? Ehhh.

8. Ravens Vs. 49ers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens looks on prior to playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/G

The brothers bowl.

If the Baltimore Ravens were to play the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl it would mark the first time in history that brothers would be coaching against one another.

Jim Harbaugh has the experience over his brother John, but he has yet to get his team over the hump. John is a newbie and his potential is extremely high.

I can already envision the obligatory story about their mom wearing both teams' jerseys.

If the 49ers can ever figure out their QB situation, this game is a possibility.

7. Steelers Vs. Eagles

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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

The evil bowl.

The two biggest villains in the NFL would face off in a battle of who has redeemed themselves more.

Are you a fan of Mike Vick again? How about Ben Roethlisberger?

Vick is winning that battle right now but Big Ben could take the lead with a win in this year's Super Bowl.

Advertisers will be wrestling with the idea of bring the duo back on board and the two players could endlessly talk about how much they have changed.

On the field it would be a great game. How does the Steelers defense contain Vick? How can the Eagles stop the Steelers running attack?

Plus it's a battle of the Keystone State.

6. Ravens Vs. Falcons

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

In the battle of 2008 first-round QBs, Matt Ryan would square up against Joe Flacco to determine who was the better pick.

The tandem have been compared to each other since the moment they were drafted and this game could make the picture much more clear.

Ryan is winning the statistical game but Flacco has playoff wins.

Playing each other in the Super Bowl settles the debate.

5. Colts Vs. Saints

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham in the second half during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Phot

The 2012 Super Bowl will be in Indy and having the Colts play in the game would be a pretty cool story.

It's also a rematch of the 2010 Super Bowl that was extremely competitive before the Saints pulled away late.

Drew Brees and Peyton Manning are top-five QBs and both teams have exciting offenses.

The city of Indy might look like Bourbon St. if this game were to happen.

4. Steelers Vs. Saints

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mike Wallace #17 celebrates after Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers scored a second quarter touchdown against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsbu

A battle of offense vs. defense.

Watching the incredible front seven of the Steelers try to hold Drew Brees and his arsenal of receivers in check would be very interesting.

Sean Payton and Mike Tomlin are two of the younger coaches in the league and both of them already have Super Bowl rings.

If both teams make it to Indy next year...it may turn into a battle for the best coach in the NFL.

3. Patriots Vs. Packers

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty

A lot of people thought this game would come this season, but the Jets had other ideas.

The Packers were a botched two-minute drill away from beating the Pats with Matt Flynn under center. The rematch would be another epic contest.

Pitting Tom Brady vs. Aaron Rodgers could make for a shoot-out. This game would be a great matchup of two of the best franchises in the NFL.

The game would be ultra competitive and the fans would certainly get their money's worth.

2. Colts Vs. Packers

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates the Packers 21-14 victory against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squir

Another high-scoring potential shoot-out, this could be the game when Manning passes the torch to Rodgers for best QB in the NFL.

Media day would be a complete love fest between the tandem and the word "respect" would be uttered about 100 times between the both of them.

Two of the best pure passers of all time would put on a clinic on the biggest stage.

We also have the whole Indy-playing-at home-thing, and it's another small-market battle.

1. Colts Vs. Giants

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 26: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 26, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Older brother vs. little brother.

I've been waiting for this game ever since Eli Manning entered the league.

It would mark the first time that the Super Bowl featured siblings playing against each other.

The Manning family would be put on blast to the point where ESPN may do a story on their grandma.

The defensive lines of both teams are top-notch, and protecting the Mannings would be the No. 1 priority for both teams.

Add the whole Colts-playing-at-home thing with the battle to see which brother gets their second ring, and this has gotta be the juiciest potential Super Bowl matchup in 2012.