NFL Playoff Predictions: Projecting Every Postseason Matchup

Just one more week of the regular season and we see only three playoff spots remaining. As for this year's postseason, will the Packers repeat? What about the Steelers getting a rematch?

Can the Saints make another run, or will the 49ers return to glory? New England's been on a playoff losing streak and the Houston Texans are making their first playoff appearance.

It's certainly going to be an exciting month, so here is a quick preview of all 11 playoff matchups.

AFC Wildcards: Oakland at Houston, Pittsburgh at Denver

Oakland at Houston

A rematch from the regular season game that was also played in Houston, both teams have some minor differences. Michael Bush remains in the backfield for Oakland with Carson Palmer under center and Houston's been relying on rookie QB TJ Yates.

Both have excellent ground games (Houston ranked No. 2, Oakland No. 6) and the passing games have been average at best. Houston however, has a much better defense (rank in the Top 5) and can get a lot of pressure on Palmer, but the Raiders do have a solid pass rush themselves.

The difference comes down to which running game plays better and controls the tempo, as well as which defense proves better at stopping the run.

Texans over Raiders

Pittsburgh at Denver

Easily the best defense the Broncos will have faced all season long, the Steelers rank No. 1 against the pass and No. 9 against the rush.

As for Denver, the Orange Crush defense will get pressure on an immobilized Ben Roethlisberger and slow down their ground game. The difference is whether the Broncos can isolate TE Heath Miller and WR Mike Wallace.

In addition, the Broncos can't rely too much on their defense. If Tim Tebow can't get the ball moving and work some clock while also scoring early, the Steelers defense will takeover.

Steelers over Broncos

NFC Wildcard: Detroit at New Orleans, Atlanta at New York

Detroit at New Orleans

Another regular season rematch, the Lions travel back down to The Big Easy to play the Saints. Much like last time, Detroit's only shot at winning is to keep pace with New Orleans as their defense won't slow Drew Brees and Co. down.

Matthews Stafford to Calvin Johnson must be clicking for all 60 minutes and rightfully so, because the Saints pass defense does rank No. 30 (allows 268 pass yards per game). The more effective the Lions are, the better chance they give themselves.

The difference lies within RB/return specialist Darren Sproles. In short, the field position battle remains in favor of New Orleans.

Saints over Lions

Atlanta at New York

Two stellar passing offenses duking it out again in the second NFC Wildcard game. In addition, both Atlanta and New York have some weak pass defenses that will be exploited.

The game will be a major shootout so whoever can get a pass rush will gain a significant advantage. The Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul (15.5 sacks) is one of the best pass-rushers in the game and the Falcons John Abraham (8.5 sacks) is still solid.

What the ultimate factor is however, is which pass defense steps up? The Falcons rank No. 19 and allow 235 pass yards per game, whereas the Giants rank No. 27 and allow 255 pass yards per game. Thanks to a better pass rush though, the Giants force some turnovers to gain an edge.

Giants over Falcons

AFC Divisionals: Houston at New England, Pittsburgh at Baltimore

Houston at New England

The Texans get their fist postseason win thanks to a stud pass rush, rush defense, and rushing offense all of which was too much for the Raiders. Well, the New England Patriots are a different animal.

Houston's only faced one other passing offense on the Pats' level (New Orleans Saints) and has been plagued by injuries seemingly all season. Tom Brady will air it out all day because that's the Pats' forte. In turn, that forces the Texans to throw the ball and try to keep pace.

However, thanks to a lacking passing game, the Pats' pass defense gains confidence and the front seven is focused on stopping RB Arian Foster. He is the Texans best chance to win and New England knows it.

Patriots over Texans

Pittsburgh at Baltimore

The Steelers have been swept by Baltimore this season and despite their road woes, the Ravens have stepped up in every big game (Houston, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, NY Jets, San Francisco).

That being said, it comes down to which defense wants it more. Baltimore has Ray Rice who can takeover a game at anytime, whereas Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace can break open a game at anytime. The Ravens pass rush is crucial here to blitz an immobilized Roethlisberger and cause turnovers.

We saw it happen against the 49ers and the Ravens will try to replicate that. As for the Steelers defense, it comes down to whether or not they can limit Ray Rice's production on the ground.

Ravens over Steelers

NFC Divisionals: New Orleans at San Francisco, New York at Green Bay

New Orleans at San Francisco

A rematch of old NFC West rivals, the Saints travel to The Bay Area and play a revived franchise in San Francisco. Here, the major difference lies within the Saints passing attack versus the 49ers front seven.

San Fran desperately needs to get a pass rush on Drew Brees as well as prevent any production on the ground. It's their only shot to win as the San Fran offense isn't built to score 35-plus points per game. When with the ball though, RB Frank Gore must take control.

If the Saints defense wants to limit the Niners chances, stacking the box and forcing Frisco to throw is the answer. Anytime New Orleans can get Alex Smith to try and match Drew Brees gives the Saints a distinct advantage.

Saints over 49ers

New York at Green Bay

The last time the Giants visited Lambeau Field in the postseason we saw Brett Favre throw a pick in OT and the Giants went on to win Super Bowl XLII. Well, fortunately for Green Bay they have arguably the most flawless QB under center in Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers doesn't need to improvise like Favre because he's better at reading defenses and is much more accurate. Now, the Giants do have Jason Pierre-Paul as a pass-rusher but no one else has been productive in 2011. The regular season match went down to the wire because the Packers pass defense couldn't slow down Eli Manning.

And what it comes down to is whether Eli can out play Rodgers. It's definitely a close battle however, the Giants also lack a rushing offense (and a pass defense) and Green Bay can pound the rock virtually at-will.

Packers over Giants

Conference Championships: Baltimore at New England, New Orleans at Green Bay

AFC Championship: Baltimore at New England

The Ravens got thrice the thrills in another win over Pittsburgh while the Patriots took care of the upstart/banged-up Texans.

And although Ray Rice took over Pittsburgh's defense and Baltimore got to Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady has better WRs and TE Rob Gronkowski (the main difference in this game). No one on the Ravens can cover him and Wes Welker one-on-one however, no one on the Pats' defense will slow down Rice or Torrey Smith.

So, the game comes down to Tom Brady's production versus Joe Flacco's production. You know New England will zone on Rice and the Ravens will be physical with Welker and Deion Branch.

All that said, Baltimore's road woes haunt them as the defense is unable to stop Gronkowski. A TE who can catch, run well after the catch, break tackles, run-block, and out-jump anyone on the field.

Patriots over Ravens

NFC Championship: New Orleans at Green Bay

No surprise to see the Week 1 season-opener have a rematch in late January. The only difference this time around though, is that the weather is much colder and will be much more of a factor.

So, expect both teams to try and run the ball more than usual. Both defenses allow almost five rush yards per carry but, the Packers have a better pass rush and the more opportunistic defense.

With forcing 34 turnovers (29 picks, 5 fumbles recoveries), that gives the cheese a big edge. Also, New Orleans has yet to really win consistently on the road throughout the course of one season. On the road in cold weather cities (Seattle, Chicago) were their two previous postseason losses.

Green Bay has a niche advantage and with just as an effective of an offense in both dynamics as well as special teams, Aaron Rodgers makes less mistakes than Drew Brees (who's been interception prone at times throughout his career).

Packers over Saints

Super Bowl XLVI: Green Bay vs New England

Super Bowl XLVI: Green Bay vs New England

A colossal matchup between to effective offenses and two of the game's premier QBs, the Patriots and Packers rematch from Super Bowl XXXI.

Here, we will see Aaron Rodgers pick a part the NFL's worst pass defense and rack up some major points. Tom Brady will also perform well, as the Packers pass defense is vulnerable to prolific offenses in perfect conditions.

A significant difference comes in the form of defensive play-makers though. Green Bay has Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews, and Tramon Williams, whereas New England's best defensive play-maker is Kyle Arrington (seven picks).

In addition, Rodgers is a much more mobile QB than Brady which will nullify the Pats' solid pass rush. New England also lacks a WR who can stretch the field. TE Rob Gronkowski will play well and is dangerous, but the Packers double-team him all game long to limit production.

Neither defense can slow down an offense, but the Packers simply know how to force turnovers, while the Pats' rely on their ability to hold up the fort when backed up inside their own red-zone. Hence, Green Bay forces more turnovers and has more opportunities to score.

Packers over Patriots

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