NFL Playoff Predictions and Matchups If the Season Ended Today

NFL playoff scenarios are taking shape with just two weeks remaining in the regular season.

The battle for Super Bowl XLVI is now wide open with the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers suffering their first blemish of the season to the suddenly motivated Kansas City Chiefs.

Who has the edge if the NFL playoffs started today? How important is home field advantage? Where does Tim Tebow fit into the equation?

Get ready for some juicy wild card matchups to kick-start the postseason.

Here are your way-too-early NFL playoff predictions as the brackets are currently construed.

 

NFC Wild Card No. 1: Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers

Headline

How about a rematch featuring fiery head coaches Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz who redefined the meaning of a post-game handshake earlier in the season.

What to look for?

The San Francisco 49ers handed the Detroit Lions their first loss of the season back in Week 6. Since that point, the Lions have struggled to a 4-4 record due to undisciplined play by a young team and a tougher schedule.

Jim Harbaugh's club has lost three games by a total of 15 points and boast the league's best rushing defense. Unfortunately for San Francisco, the Lions' strength is their passing game behind Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.

Who has the edge?

Having to travel to San Francisco combined with a young team unfit for playoff pressure gives the nod to the 49ers over the Lions in this tasty rematch.

Pick: San Francisco 20, Detroit 16



 

NFC Wild Card No. 2: Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys

Headline

Two teams with lofty preseason goals highlight the second NFC wild card tilt.

What to look for?

The Atlanta Falcons have a seemingly tidy 9-5 record with multiple weapons in Julio Jones, Roddy White, Michael Turner and Tony Gonzalez. However, a closer look reveals just one of those wins came against a team with a record over .500.

One never knows what to expect from the roller coaster ride that is the Dallas Cowboys. Tony Romo is the man to lead this team to the Super Bowl, provided he can hold down the mistakes for four quarters.

Edge

Atlanta has not faced a team of consequence since October, and will look overwhelmed against a talented Cowboys team. 

Pick: Dallas 31, Atlanta 21

 

AFC Wild Card No. 1: New York Jets at Houston Texans

Headline

The New York Jets once again look to begin a deep run into the playoffs on the road against a Texans team making their first showing in the NFL playoffs.

What to look for?

Remember when the Jets lost to the New England Patriots by 42 a few weeks prior to beating the same Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs? The Jets suffered a similarly embarrassing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15 and seem to be trending downward right before playoff time.

The Texans have fallen serious victim to the injury bug with losses of Matt Schaub, Matt Leinart and Mario Williams for the season. Oh, and some guy named Andre Johnson continues to be hampered by a hamstring problem. Is this too much for Houston to overcome?

Edge

The Jets have been here before, and relish the underdog role in the playoffs.

Pick: New York 23, Houston 17

 

 

AFC Wild Card No. 2: Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos

Headline

How does Tim Tebow fare in his first playoff appearance?

What to look for?

There is no questioning the fact that Tebow's passing ability and decision making has improved significantly since Tebow's entrance into the starting quarterback role. His dramatic comebacks in the second half have taken the NFL world by storm. Can his style translate to the postseason?

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens have, at times, looked like the best team in the AFC. However, on the road, the Ravens have occasionally looked woeful against average competition. Since they will be taking to the road as a wild card team, how will the Ravens respond?

Edge

The Broncos have proven they can beat defensive-minded teams in low scoring affairs. The Ravens fit that category and typically struggle on the road.

Pick: Denver 19, Baltimore 17

 

NFC Divisional Round No. 1: Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers

Headline

With undefeated season out of the question, can the Packers sustain motivation en route to defending their Super Bowl title?

What to look for?

The Dallas Cowboys have the talent to compete with the Packers at every position. With DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys can exploit the weakness that is the offensive line of the Green Bay Packers.

Aaron Rodgers has the capability to pick apart a lackluster Dallas secondary. The key is pass protection. With time, Rodgers will lead his team to an easy win.

Edge

Green Bay is simply more consistent with a superior quarterback.

Pick: Green Bay 34, Dallas 26 

NFC Divisional Round No. 2: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints

Headline

Can the stingy defense of the 49ers contain the potent Saints attack in the Superdome?

What to look for?

Drew Brees is posting an impressive case for Most Valuable Player in the NFL in 2011. He is on pace to break the single-season passing record set by Dan Marino. The 49ers rank No.19 in the league in pass defense, giving Brees an opportunity to post impressive numbers.

San Francisco will have to control time of possession with Frank Gore and tough defense. Unfortunately, the strength of the 49ers is on run defense, making the containment of Brees tough sledding. Alex Smith will have to make plays to keep San Francisco in the contest.

Edge

The Saints have too much firepower at home for the 49ers to contain. San Francisco's offense will not be able to keep pace.

Pick: New Orleans 29, San Francisco 16 

AFC Divisional Round No. 1: New York Jets at New England Patriots

Headline

Bill Belichick vs. Rex Ryan round ... I lost count.

What to look for? 

The New York Jets would be in familiar territory in this scenario, travelling on the road to Foxboro as an underdog to take on a high-scoring Patriots team.

Tom Brady must overcome the worst defense in the NFL in order to keep his team in games. With no running game, defense or prominent wide receiver, Brady should get consideration for the MVP award.

Edge

The game comes down to Brady and his tight ends against the entire Jets team. Sanchez will pick apart a porous secondary.

Pick: New York 27, New England 25

 

AFC Divisional Round No. 2: Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers

Headline

Can Tim Tebow even survive a full game against the hard-hitting Steelers?

What to look for?

Provided Tebow and the Broncos can upset the Ravens, they must then lick their wounds and prepare for another physical dog fight with another AFC North juggernaut in the Pittsburgh Steelers. The spread option will truly be tested against the vaunted steel curtain defense. 

The Steelers look poised to make a second consecutive Super Bowl run. Ben Roethlisberger is battling numerous injuries to lead his team into a potential No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs. Can he avoid Von Miller and company long enough to find deep threats Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown down field?

Edge

Pittsburgh has experience and talent edge versus Denver.

Pick: Pittsburgh 30, Denver 13 

NFC Championship: New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers

Headline

Will a rematch of the Week 1 classic produce a similarly high-scoring affair?

 

What to look for?

These two teams are mirror images of each other. Both have elite Super Bowl winning quarterbacks. Both have a plethora of weapons on offense. Both have inconsistent defenses with the ability to create turnovers.

The difference may be the weather factor at Lambeau Field.

Edge

The Packers have the home field advantage. However, the injuries on the offensive line may prove costly for Green Bay.

Pick: New Orleans 31, Green Bay 28 

AFC Championship: Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots

Headline

Two playoff heavyweights face off in rematch of Week 8 tilt.

What to look for?

The Steelers are apt at containing the passing offense of New England due to tough man-to-man coverage and physical play. They must, however, find an answer for matchup nightmares Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

The success of the Patriots is in the hands of Tom Brady. The defense is suspect at best and will not contain the Steelers offense.

Edge

The Steelers are much more complete team. Brady cannot be expected to do it all.

Pick: Pittsburgh 27, New England 18 

Super Bowl XLVI: New Orleans Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Headline

Defense meets offense in much-anticipated collision of opposing styles.

What to look for?

Not even the Pittsburgh Steelers will be able to stop all of the Saints' weapons on offense. Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles, Lance Moore, Marques Colston and others will pose problems for Pittsburgh's defense. The question is, how much can the Saints produce?

Also, will that be enough to overcome a Saints defense that will likely give up quite a few points to Pittsburgh's offense. Ben Roethlisberger's toughness will challenge the defense of New Orleans and force Brees to carry the load.

Edge

Dead heat. Edge at quarterback gives slight nod to Saints.

Pick: New Orleans 21, Pittsburgh 20