Each Potential NFL Playoff Team's Worst-Case Scenario Matchups

As each week passes in the NFL's regular season, the playoffs get that much closer and the number of teams in the picture gets smaller. 

The seedings in the two conferences are a complete unknown at this point, which gives a multitude of potential showdowns in January.

And while all of the clubs vying for a spot in the postseason are here because they surpassed many hurdles on their way to a solid record, there are certain teams that could be roadblocks on the road to the Super Bowl.

Here are the nightmare matchups for each contender in their respective conference playoffs. 

Green Bay Packers

New Orleans Saints

While the latest test for the unbeaten Packers came just last week at Metlife Stadium against the New York Giants, the toughest game may have been the first one.

That came on opening night at Lambeau Field versus Drew Brees and the Saints.

In an offensive shootout (not surprisingly), the two teams combined for 876 total yards and 76 points. When Green Bay stuffed New Orleans on a goal line stand in the contest's final play, they came away with a 42-34 victory.

What the opener showed was that the Saints are one of the few teams in all of the NFL that can keep up with the high-powered Packers in a track meet. New Orleans won't be affected by the fast-paced offense and can keep it close thanks to Brees' right arm.

San Francisco 49ers

Green Bay Packers

Isn't this every team's worst nightmare? Frankly, nobody wants to play a Green Bay squad that can apparently do no wrong when it comes to putting enough points on the scoreboard.

Unlike the Saints, San Francisco doesn't have a signal-caller that can keep pace with Aaron Rodgers. Granted, Alex Smith has limited his mistakes and has produced the best season of his pro career, but he's nowhere near the caliber of QB that Rodgers is.

The Niners' top-ranked rushing defense will have little effect on the Packers, who don't rely much on the ground game.

New Orleans Saints

San Francisco 49ers

At times, the Saints appear to be unstoppable. That's been especially true in the friendly confines of the Superdome.

It's when you get them out of their element that they can be vulnerable. All three of New Orleans' losses so far in 2011 came on the road. One of those defeats was an inexplicable one at St. Louis.

The 2010 playoffs were abruptly ended when the 7-9 Seattle Seahawks took them down at Qwest Field. It shouldn't be a surprise that another NFC West foe could trip them up in this year's postseason.

San Francisco—far more talented that Seattle—can slow the pace of the game down to its level and has a good enough defense to beat anyone on their schedule.

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Yes, the Lions did beat the Cowboys in dramatic fashion earlier this season. And yes, the 49ers did outplay them in a Week 2 matchup (one in which Dallas ultimately prevailed in OT).

But the Packers have an offense that can expose the defense of Rob Ryan. As for the Green Bay defense, it has a propensity to force turnovers. Tony Romo is an awfully giving quarterback when it comes to key contests in December and January.

Him facing the Packers in chilly Green Bay could be a combination of playing at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Chicago Bears

New Orleans Saints

The Bears should simply worry about qualifying for the playoffs, much less caring about what team would pose the biggest challenge in the NFC tournament.

With Jay Cutler and Matt Forte on the mend, Chicago's chances for a title probably just blew away.

If, by some chance, the Bears made it into postseason play, their defense couldn't hang with the Saints.

In Week 2, they bullied the Bears offensive line and put Cutler to the Superdome turf on several occasions. Current starting QB Caleb Hanie should expect more of the same if he has the unenviable task of having to take on New Orleans.

Atlanta Falcons

Green Bay Packers

If these two faced off, it would be deja vu all over again.

The 2010 NFC Divisional Playoff saw the No. 6-seeded Packers trounce the top-seeded Falcons in the Georgia Dome, providing a stinging end to Atlanta's dream season.

Taking into account Green Bay's victory in Week 5 at the same location, it's a clear sign that Rodgers and company have the Falcons' number.

But if they were to somehow meet up in this year's postseason, it would be in Lambeau. And that makes the task of victory even harder Mike Smith's club.

Detroit Lions

San Francisco 49ers

Of the seven other teams in the NFC playoff mix, Detroit has faced six of them. In those contests, the Lions were victorious just once.

It's no secret that Jim Schwartz's team has shown signs of youth and immaturity. There is little likelihood that a club that has thrust itself into national spotlight for the first time in over a decade can string together enough wins to get to Indianapolis. 

The Lions are an up-and-coming team, but they're not yet ready for prime time. San Francisco, which topped Detroit in October, can out-maneuver the Lions with its seventh-ranked rushing game.

New York Giants

New Orleans Saints

The Giants were simply bombarded with an offensive attack on the evening of Nov. 28, courtesy of New Orleans.

Drew Brees accounted for five touchdowns and the New York defense never had a chance.

Could the Saints duplicate this superb showing if the two teams were able to meet again? Probably not. However, that Monday night in the bayou was direct evidence that the Giants are completely befuddled by whatever New Orleans does.

New England Patriots

Pittsburgh Steelers

Never were the Patriots more exposed in 2011 than on Oct. 30 in Heinz Field.

That day, Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger led a offensive attack that sliced up the New England defense and controlled the ball for more than 39 minutes. On the other side of the ball, Tom Brady couldn't get his group into it's typical rhythm.

The Steelers, with their postseason experience, have no fear of a team as formidable as the Patriots. That's especially true considering they rank second in passing defense and are the seventh best team against the run.

Baltimore Ravens

Pittsburgh Steelers

There's no better rivalry in the NFL today than that of these two foes.

And as they always say in matchups like these, "You can throw the records out."

So, forget that the Ravens prevailed in each of the two showdowns this season. What should be recognized more is the fact that Pittsburgh has knocked Baltimore out of the playoffs twice in the past three years.

The Ravens may have home-field advantage when the postseason starts, but the Steelers have revenge on their mind and history on their side.

Houston Texans

Baltimore Ravens

It's an unknown as to who will start behind center for the Houston Texans when the playoffs begin.

What is certain is that they won't be as skilled at the quarterback position as they were when Matt Schaub was taking snaps.

Another thing that's guaranteed is that the Baltimore defense will take full advantage of the Houston offense's shortcomings.

Denver Broncos

Baltimore Ravens

"Tebow Time" could extend past the first week of January. The oft-discussed quarterback has won six of his seven starts to vault the Broncos into first place in the AFC West.

What's more, Tebow has shown that he can win with his arm as well as his legs.

That said, the Ravens are one of the few teams in the league that have the players able to shut down the run and limit the pass as well.

Therefore, Tebow would undoubtedly have the stiffest test of all against Baltimore.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore Ravens

Based on what was seen on Thursday night, the Steelers' biggest opponent may be health.

Ben Roethlisberger briefly left Pittsburgh's contest with the Cleveland Browns due to a left ankle injury and managed to play the second half with a limp. Big Ben's ailments have been a topic on the team all year long.

As far as teams are concerned, the toughest will be the one in the Steelers' own division. Baltimore is too familiar with Pittsburgh to not be comfortable playing them in any circumstance.

Cincinnati Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers

To be perfectly honest, the Bengals would have difficulty against a number of teams contending for the AFC playoffs.

Cincinnati has played well above expectations with a 7-5 record up to this point. But with losses to Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Denver and San Francisco, it's apparent that they're not ready to hang with the class of the conference.

More specifically, they've fallen twice to the Steelers, a team that's far more used to the postseason spotlight and can force the inexperienced Bengals.

Tennessee Titans

Houston Texans

Their chances of catching the Texans in the AFC South race are slowly fading with each passing Houston victory, but a playoff berth is still in sight for Tennessee.

If Matt Hasselbeck continues his revival and Chris Johnson can keep running at a high level, the Titans could be a club that sneaks in as one of the two wild-card representatives from the conference. 

But a team that might stand in their way toward accomplishing that goal is their division rival from their old home. They face off in the season's final week.

Even if Tennessee was fortunate enough to pull out a crucial victory on the road, it may have to have an encore performance. That would be a difficult task, considering its inability to limit opponent's rushing attacks.

Oakland Raiders

Denver Broncos

A defense that yields 141.4 yards per game on the ground (28th in NFL) is liable to be vulnerable in a cold-weather contest.

When it goes up against the No. 1 rushing team, the Denver Broncos, this weakness will be made even more painfully clear.

On Nov. 6, Tim Tebow and Willis McGahee combined for 281 yards rushing as they handed the Raiders a 38-24 defeat.

New York Jets

Baltimore Ravens

Remember Week 4? Mark Sanchez sure doesn't want to.

On that Sunday night at M&T Bank Stadium, the third-year quarterback was sacked twice and hit 10 times. He also had four fumbles and threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. After the destruction was said and done, the Ravens emerged as the 34-17 victors.

The Jets have an offense that has been mired in inconsistency all season long. The stout Baltimore defense will make sure that it won't be a positive outing.

Another aspect the Ravens can exploit comes on the ground. The normally boisterous New York defense can be best silenced by a steady dose of Ray Rice.