NFL Playoff Predictions: Calling Each First-Round Matchup

With only two more weeks left in the 2011 NFL regular season, we see the playoff picture becoming more and more clear. 

There is still seeding left to be decided and plenty of teams left "in the hunt," but those numbers will quickly dwindle over the next two weeks. Then there will only be 12 teams remaining to battle out who will be crowned Super Bowl champion.

If the playoffs started today, we would have the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers with the byes in the NFC. The New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens would also be getting a free round in the AFC. 

Even though we'll be missing four of the most exciting teams in the first round, we still have some great teams to watch.

If the playoffs started today, here is how I see the first round going down.

New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions

A rematch of a Week 13 battle where the Detroit Lions were forced to come to New Orleans to challenge the Saints at home.

The Saints were able to pull off the 31-17 victory led by Drew Brees who went 26-for-36 for 342 yards and three touchdowns. The Lions who have had one of the better passing defenses in the league this year had no answer for Brees and Company on offense.

Even though New Orleans is one of the worst passing defenses in the league, the Lions passing game was never able to get going. Quarterback Matthew Stafford didn't throw his first touchdown pass until the very end of the third quarter. That score brought the Lions within one touchdown, but Drew Brees answered back with a passing touchdown of his own to seal the game in the fourth quarter.

The Lions would have to travel to New Orleans again in the first round of the playoffs as the standings sit today.

Both teams have been playing excellent football since their last meeting on December 4th, but the Saints offense is just on another level. The Lions have the potential to be one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL when they are on. However, it is just too difficult to predict when they will be.

An inconsistent offense will not last very long against Drew Brees.

Prediction: New Orleans Saints

Dallas Cowboys vs. Atlanta Falcons

A big-time southern matchup will be the other NFC game in the first round of the playoffs. 

The Dallas Cowboys are currently in control of their own destiny to win the NFC East. The last two games of their season will be against the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants. If they can win out, they will be NFC East champions.

They would be matched up against the No. 5 seed Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are a solid team across the board, but haven't been spectacular at anything all season. They are the fifth-ranked rushing defense in the league, but I wouldn't call their defense shutdown.

The Cowboys may have the most talent of any team in the NFL. They have some huge stars and playmakers across their roster. However, their problem has always been playing up to their ability. 

Quarterback Tony Romo has been known for struggling in big games and has cost Dallas playoff games before. He would need to overcome his personal struggles in order for the Cowboys to make a run. With that being said, he has been playing incredibly well in the month of December so it is completely possible to carry that success over to January.

This may be the hardest game to pick as both of these teams are incredibly similar. They have both lost their fair share of games this season to teams that are in the playoffs or could be listed as playoff-caliber. The lack of success against elite teams during the regular season means this game will come down to who can step up in the spotlight.

As well as Romo has been playing, I don't think he has what it takes to win the big postseason games. That will be the deciding factor.

Prediction: Atlanta Falcons

Houston Texans vs. New York Jets

I expect this one to be a defensive battle. 

While both of these defenses are two of the top units in the NFL, I think that the lack of production on these two offenses will have more to do with the low score. 

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has struggled all year long. The Jets tried the air-it-out approach early in the season, but it is clear he just isn't ready to be that type of quarterback. We don't know if Sanchez will ever be an elite-level passer. 

The Texans passing game was taken down by an injury. Matt Schaub went down and the Texans' Super Bowl hopes dwindled. They have managed to go 3-1 without Schaub, but it is clear that their offense just isn't the same.

The Jets bring one of the best passing defenses in the league into this matchup. The key to this game will come down to whether or not Houston can control the game with this running attack led by Arian Foster.

However, the Texans are no slouch on the defensive side of the ball either. Their new 3-4 defense has taken them to the top of the NFL defensive rankings. They will be giving Sanchez and the Jets offense problems all day long. 

Turnovers may end up being the story of this game, but I think that the Texans are just missing too much offensively to score on the Jets. 

Prediction: New York Jets

Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

With a loss on Monday night to the San Francisco  49ers, the Pittsburgh Steelers lose their chance of taking the division lead and the first-round bye.

The Steelers' biggest flaw right now is the ankle of Ben Roethlisberger. It is clear that he is hurting and his inability to move in the pocket is impacting his performance on the field. The 49ers were able to hold the Steelers to just three points on Monday Night Football.

The Denver Broncos have been a miracle squad this year, but many of those victories have come against less-than-impressive teams. The Broncos are an exciting team to watch especially with a player as polarizing as Tim Tebow at quarterback.

A matchup with the Steelers would easily be the toughest test of Tebow's career.

If Roethlisberger isn't healthy come playoff time, the Steelers are in trouble. As good as that running game can be and as tough as that defense is, they need Big Ben to be on his game.

The Broncos defense isn't elite by any means, but they have a knack for stepping up in the right situations and making plays. They have the talent to rush the passer which could be a nightmare for Roethlisberger with a bad ankle.

If Denver can slow the run and pound the ball on offense, they could turn it into a ball-control game. 

This game will once again come down on Tebow. As important as it is for the Broncos to be successful running the ball, Tebow will need to prevent turnovers and make the big throws in the passing game. His passing ability is still flawed, but he has been improving with each week.

An injured Roethlisberger and some Tebow magic could lead to the biggest upset of the first round.

Prediction: Denver Broncos