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NFL playoffs 2016: Top 10 potential matchups

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:43 p.m. ET

Fansided, Andrew Hammond/Fansided

FanSided’s Andrew Hammond takes a look at the 10 potential playoff games that have the an impact on who plays in Super Bowl 51 in February.

Usually one side or the other is an open and shut case on who reaches the Super Bowl. For the first time in a long time, both the NFC and AFC playoffs will be very entertaining. You’ve got teams like Seattle, Kansas City and Pittsburgh that could go on the road and pull off an upset. Meanwhile, Dallas and New England may have much tougher games than they anticipated starting in the divisional round.

Here’s 10 potential playoff games that will be must-see TV.

10. Raiders at Chiefs

Yes, I know we’ve seen this before and it’s ended with the Chiefs winning both of the contests in 2016. With KC losing Derrick Johnson for the rest of the season with an injury, the Chiefs defense takes a major hit. Despite being swept by the Chiefs this season, the Raiders have enough offense and a strong enough defense to move past the Wildcard round against whoever they’ll play.

The Raiders and Chiefs have not met in the playoffs since the 1969 AFL Title Game and so seeing these two longtime rivals in the playoffs would be awesome to see. While I’d give Kansas City the advantage for now, don’t be shocked if Oakland pulls off the upset.

Most likely meeting: AFC Divisional Round

9. Steelers at Patriots

One again, we’ve seen this before but the result may be much different this time. A lot of things have changed for the Patriots since they defeated the Steelers 27-16 on October 23rd. The Pats won’t have Rob Gronkowski and the Steelers have enough weapons to defeat New England in Foxboro if this were to happen. Tom Brady’s performance has been of the typical Brady so if you mix that with Big Ben and the Steelers, it’s perfect for a January afternoon on CBS.

Most likely meeting: AFC Divisional Round

8. Giants at Falcons

Two dynamic offenses and two quarterbacks that know how to screw up at just the right time? Yes please! While the Giants and Falcons don’t jump off the page for the most part, the matchup at receiver is worth the price of admission alone. Atlanta’s Julio Jones up against New York’s Odell Beckham Jr will have fans very excited for this one. It may come down to which defense can force the most mistakes from two QBs who are prone to making errors at critical moments.

Most likely meeting: NFC Wild Card Round

Oct 16, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) looks on in the game against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

7. Steelers at Chiefs

At the beginning of October, Kansas City traveled to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers and the Chiefs took a healthy beating from the Steelers in a 43-14 route. If these two teams meet again, Pittsburgh will see a much different Kansas City team and this time it will be in always difficult Arrowhead Stadium. That’s one tough place to win, especially in the playoffs and a spot in the AFC Title Game could be on the line.

Most likely meeting: AFC Divisional Round

6. Ravens at Steelers

One of the most physical rivalries in NFL History could see it’s latest chapter in the playoffs if the Ravens can sneak in the playoffs. As the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts are fading, the Ravens can emerge as one of the two AFC wild card teams. What’s one of the first places they could land? Pittsburgh of course! Anything can happen when these two get together and Baltimore has gone in to the steel city and won in the playoffs before, they can easily do it again.

Most likely meeting: AFC Wild Card Round

5. Packers at Cowboys

Two of the sports biggest fan bases, plenty of playoff history and the first meeting in the playoffs since the “Dez caught it” controversy. Yes please, sign me up, sign me all the way up. You could make a legit case that the winner of this meeting could be headed to the Super Bowl. Both are finally playing at a high level and it will be much better than the first meeting when Green Bay was stunned at home by the Cowboys.

Most likely meeting: NFC Divisional Playoffs

4. Seahawks at Cowboys

If the Dallas Cowboys want to be an elite football team and make this season legit, they’ve got to knock off one of the NFC’s stalwarts in the NFC playoffs. One of two teams that could walk into AT&T Stadium at beat the Cowboys in one of their biggest games in 20 seasons is the Seattle Seahawks. While the Seahawks offense isn’t great, the defense is good enough to derail offensive plans and ruin the Cowboys dream season.

Most likely meeting: NFC Championship Game

Dec 4, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) celebrates with quarterback Alex Smith (11) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

3. Patriots at Chiefs

These two teams met in the AFC Divisional Playoffs a year ago with the Patriots getting the victory. While it’s more than likely that the Chiefs will have to travel to Foxboro again, don’t be shocked if at the end of the season, it’s Kansas City with the No.1 seed on the AFC side of the bracket. Which would mean that for a spot in the Super Bowl, New England would have to go west to Arrowhead Stadium. It would be different for sure and not likely since New England is on track to have home field throughout the playoff but still, it’s possible this could be the monkey wrench that would be added to playoff insanity.

Most likely meeting: AFC Championship Game

2. Raiders at Titans

If you want a look the future of the AFC, you may get it in the AFC’s Wild Card round. The Tennessee Titans would win the AFC South and host the Wildcard round against, the Oakland Raiders. Both Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota have had breakout seasons so with the possibility of seeing two future MVPs take the field, this showdown would be very hard to pass up. Do not be surprised if we see these two teams in the playoffs for the next few seasons.

Most likely meeting: AFC Wild Card Round

1. Giants at Cowboys

If the Dallas Cowboys want to reach the Super Bowl in Houston, they will be at home to do must of the heavy lifting. While Green Bay and Seattle present issues for the Cowboys. Only one team has defeated the Cowboys twice this season and that is the New York Giants. In their last meeting, the Giants frustrated a Cowboys offense that had come into the game on a roll, just like the first meeting. Now, with Dallas being at home, can they finally topple the Giants and move on to a possible date in the NFC Title Game, that remains to be seen.

Most likely meeting: NFC Divisional Round