NFL Playoff Predictions: 5 Regular Season Games That Were Postseason Previews

With the regular season winding down, the men are separating themselves from the boys in the NFL.

Elite teams are beginning to play great football, while pretenders are beginning to fade. 

Except for the Packers being a lock for the No. 1 team in the NFC, seeding in the postseason is still up for grabs. The Texans, Ravens, Steelers and Patriots all fight for home field advantage in the AFC, while the Cowboys and Giants battle for a postseason berth in the NFC East.

Although seeding ultimately decides playoff matchups, the postseason will feature numerous games that fans have already witnessed, but with much more intensity. 

Lions vs. 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions seem destined to meet again in the postseason. 

Detroit appears like it will survive a late season collapse and hold onto the final wild-card spot in the NFC, while San Francisco should drop one to the Steelers this week, and settle for the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. 

If the 49ers and Lions claim the No. 3 and No. 6 seeds, then that would set up a huge rematch in the Golden Gate City in January.

In Week 6, the teams played a physical and hard-fought game that was ultimately won by the 49ers 25-19. The real storyline was the bitter handshake and argument between the two teams' head coaches, Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz. 

The two coaches had to be separated after the pushing match, and the encounter received national headlines.

If these two franchises were to meet again in the playoffs, then the intensity level would be at an all-time high. The game would see a lot of penalties and hard hits, and would be solid entertainment for any fan. 

Giants vs. Saints

The Saints and Giants are also in a position to meet again in January.

New York is currently fighting for the NFC East title, and if they can outlast the Cowboys, then Big Blue would be the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoffs.

New Orleans has a playoff spot locked up, but due to the team's recent surge, they look primed for the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye next month. 

New York would have to win their wild-card game to receive a rematch with the Saints, but the team possesses enough talent to do so.

These two franchises met on Monday Night Football in Week 12. The game was an utter drubbing, as Drew Brees and company embarrassed Big Blue 49-24.

The Giants would be hungry for revenge if they met the Saints again. Eli Manning and company would give it everything they had to compete with the explosive New Orleans offense. 

Jets vs. Ravens

Two of the AFC's elite teams are also in a prime position to meet again in the postseason.

The Ravens currently sit at 10-3, and will have to win out to claim the top seed in January. Baltimore faces three weak opponents, so the team should be able to do so. 

The Jets are fighting for their lives in the final three weeks, but are currently in the best position for a postseason berth. Expect them to claim the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs.

New York will most likely play Houston in the first round. The Texans are talented, but the lack of a premier quarterback will cost them against the Jets. 

A Gang Green win would set up a massive rematch in the Divisional Round between Rex Ryan and his former team.

The two perennial contenders met in Week 4. The game was a mistake-filled defensive struggle that was ultimately won by the Ravens 34-17.

If these two elite defenses were to meet again, then they would give fans one of the most entertaining and hard-fought playoff games in recent years. 

Patriots vs. Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots are two of the greatest franchises in NFL history.

The teams have combined for seven Super Bowl appearances in the last 10 years. They have dominated the AFC for the last decade.

The Patriots seem likely to win out and claim the No. 2 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye. The Steelers seem destined to also win out, but would only hold a No. 5 seed because of the head-to-head losses with the Ravens. 

Pittsburgh would meet the winner of the AFC West in the first round of the postseason. The Steelers are likely to beat up on an inferior team and march on to the Divisional Round to meet the Patriots.

The game would be a rematch of a Week 8 contest in which Pittsburgh outlasted New England 25-17. 

Two of the league's premier quarterbacks, Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady, would play outstanding football and give fans one of the best games of the season, while adding another chapter to one of the NFL's best rivalries. 

Saints vs. Packers

The Saints and Packers played the most entertaining game of the season thus far in Week 1. Green Bay and New Orleans lit up the scoreboard until the final seconds. Aaron Rodgers and company ultimately held on to win 42-34 over their heated opposition.

Green Bay and New Orleans, in my opinion, are the two best teams in the NFC. They both possess two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, as well as potent offensive weapons.

The Packers and Saints are likely to claim the top two seeds in the playoffs and march through their Divisional Round opponents.

This would set up one of the most anticipated rematches of the last decade, as Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers would meet in a shootout to decide the NFC representative in the Super Bowl.

The game would be one of the most entertaining playoff contests in NFL history.