2012 NFL Playoffs Bracket: Super Bowl Will Be Packers Patriots

Super Bowl XLVI Will Feature the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers

I’ll admit that I seem to only hit every other NFL playoff bracket. Two years ago I got every game except for one right, last year I pretty much got half right. In 2009 my bracket was decimated by the Cowboys falling to the New York Giants. It seems I’m due for a fantastic football postseason, but I’m going to deliberately screw it up by betting on Tim Tebow.

UPDATE: The first round could have gone better, but I’m updating my bracket to show my mistakes and my new predictions. I hit the Broncos upset, missed on the Lions and Bengals. We’ll do better in the next round.

AFC Wild Card

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

Ben Roethlisberger has already proven he can’t play on one ankle. After a setback against the Browns, look for Big Ben to revert back to his inept and hobbled self. The Broncos defense is almost as good as the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Pittsburgh reverts to injured Big Ben form (3 points against the 49ers, 14 against the Browns, 13 against the Chiefs), they might actually lose this one. If you had to choose between Ben Roethlisberger’s rapist karma and Tim Tebow’s divinity, only a football fan would bet on the Steelers.

Broncos 9 – Steelers 3

The Bengals have Andy Dalton, one of the best young quarterbacks in the game. The Texans have Jake “daylight come and you got a” Delhomme. The Texans have a better defense, but when you have to revert to a quarterback with a Chris Berman catch phrase almost as bad as his play, you’re in trouble. The Bengals will pull the upset.

Bengals 24 – Texans 21

NFC Wild Card

Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants
Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints

The Atlanta Falcons are a solid team. They run well, they throw enough to protect a lead, and they have a defense that’s squarely in the middle of the pack. The New York Giants have Super Bowl MVP Eli(te) Manning playing the best football of his career. I think that’s enough.

Giants 31 – Falcons 20

The Saints are lights out at home and run the ball better than the Lions. But let’s not kid ourselves – there won’t be much running the ball in this game. Neither team has a defense and this one should eclipse 50 points in the first half. Bet the over, but why not have a little fun here?

Lions 44 – Saints 42

AFC Divisional Round

Cincinnati Bengals Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
Denver Broncos Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

The Broncos will not beat the Patriots. If they can squeak past the Steelers, it’s the best possible playoffs scenario for the New England Patriots. The Pats offense is too much for this team, and Tebow doesn’t have the arm to capitalize on New England’s terrible secondary.

Patriots 41 – Broncos 17

I think Joe Flacco is the only quarterback in the playoffs that’s worse than Tim Tebow. This game will come down to defense. The Ravens defense is better than the Texans, and I like Baltimore. Look for a heavy dose of Ray Rice to carry the Ravens into the next round.

Ravens 28 – Texans 10

NFC Divisional Round

Detroit Lions New York Giants at Green Bay Packers
New York Giants New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers

The Giants will move the ball against the Packers’ defense, but I refuse to bet against Aaron Rodgers. If this game was close in East Rutherford, it will be less close in Lambeau.

Packers 42 – Giants 24

The New Orleans Saints are a far better team than the 49ers. It’s cute that Alex Smith and company got a bye in the first round, but playing .500 or worse teams all year really doesn’t impress me. I think we’re headed for a New Orleans at Green Bay rematch.

Saints 41 – 49ers 21

AFC Conference Championship

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

Sigh. I’m going chalk. Ray Rice is a great weapon and the Pats defense is terrible, but the Patriots offense is unstoppable. The Ravens will choke. Joe Flacco will start running out of bounds ten yards behind the line again. You just can’t trust Flacco in the playoffs.

Pats 30 – Ravens 13

NFC Championship

New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers

The Packers will beat up on a soft New Orleans defense with an unstoppable passing game. The Saints will score against the Packers, but not enough to overcome the league’s best player. I am willing to bet, however, that if this game comes down to one play from the one yard line, Sean Peyton won’t run the ball this time.

Packers 45 – Saints 28

Super Bowl

New England Patriots Vs Green Bay Packers

This close to another championship, Aaron Rodgers won’t be denied. They didn’t get their unbeaten season, but they’ll get their Super Bowl.

Packers 41 – Pats 28