1. Broncos vs. Seahawks
This battle of the AFC and NFC’s two best teams would feature the present (Peyton Manning) and future (Russell Wilson) of the quarterback position.
2. Colts vs. Packers
Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers would be a clash between two prototypical gunslingers, one of whom is in his prime and the other close to it. With a second Super Bowl ring, would Rodgers be the best QB in the NFL?
3. Broncos vs. Saints
Drew Brees vs. Manning sound familiar? A quarterback rematch of Super Bowl XLIV, won by the Saints after Tracy Porter returned a Manning interception for a touchdown. Don’t expect much defense.
4. Patriots vs. Packers
This Super Bowl XXXI rematch offers Tom Brady another chance for his fourth ring in a remarkable sixth appearance in the championship game, breaking a record he shares with John Elway.
5. Broncos vs. Packers
Yet another Super Bowl rematch (XXXII), but don’t expect Manning to bust out an Elway helicopter spin on a scramble in honor of his amazing play in the 1998 game. Oh yeah, and that Rodgers guy.
6. Broncos vs. Panthers
It’s the John Fox Bowl! Not exciting enough? How about Cam Newton on the big stage a year after taking heavy criticism for his maturity and Manning facing a tenacious Carolina defense?
7. Colts vs. 49ers
San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh faces Luck, the quarterback he coached at Stanford. Does Luck’s former college coach know something about stopping the bearded one the rest of the NFL hasn’t figured out?
8. Broncos vs. 49ers
Elway and Montana aren’t walking through the door in this classic Super Bowl XXIV rematch, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more unique pairing of quarterbacks than old-school Manning and new-school Colin Kaepernick.
9. Patriots vs. Saints
Arguably the best game of the regular season featured Rob Ryan’s bitter beer face after a Brady touchdown pass. If it happens again, here’s guessing it’ll be captured by one of the 89 million television cameras.
10. Patriots vs. Eagles
The coaching takes center stage here, with Bill Belichick squaring off with Chip Kelly. The two met while Kelly was at New Hampshire and he talked shop with Belichick before taking an NFL job.
11. Patriots vs. Panthers
A rematch of the sneakily good XXXVIII Super Bowl would feature two key players still on their team, Brady and Carolina’s Steve Smith. Adam Vinatieri isn’t around to bail out New England this time, though.
12. Colts vs. Seahawks
It’s a battle of the vaunted quarterback class of 2012, with No. 1 pick Luck squaring off against Wilson, who wasn’t taken by Seattle until the third round because of height concerns.
13. Chiefs vs. Eagles
Andy Reid will be a “big” storyline vs. his former team.
14. Colts vs. Saints
A Super Bowl rematch, but Indy brings a new quarterback.
15. Broncos vs. Eagles
First team to 40 points wins with these high-powered offenses.
16. Patriots vs. Seahawks
Pete Carroll has come a long way from his early NE struggles.
17. Patriots vs. 49ers
Good luck finding more intense coaches than Harbaugh, Belichick.
18. Colts vs. Panthers
2012 No. 1 pick Luck vs. 2011 No. 1 pick Newton.
19. Chargers vs. Saints
Brees vs. his former team, which dropped him for Philip Rivers.
20. Bengals vs. 49ers
What is this, 1989? Watch out for John Taylor on the slant.
21. Chiefs vs. Seahawks
Low scoring battle between two fierce defenses.
22. Colts vs. Eagles
If the Colts run it 90 times, Trent Richardson might crack 100 yards.
23. Bengals vs. Packers
Andy Dalton may be slightly outclassed vs. Rodgers.
24. Bengals vs. Seahawks
Don’t expect to hear much about the Bengals.
25. Chiefs vs. 49ers
A week of Alex Smith revenge talk will be brutal.
26. Chargers vs. 49ers
San Diego hoping this goes better than Super Bowl XXIX did.
27. Chiefs vs. Panthers
Will Newton solve Kansas City’s stifling defense?
28. Chargers vs. Packers
Green Bay fans will be used to the cold. San Diego? Uhh…
29. Bengals vs. Saints
Two former laughingstock franchises make it big.
30. Chiefs vs. Saints
Drew Brees is a lot better than Alex Smith.
31. Bengals vs. Eagles
Giants fans do not want to think about Philly fans in MetLife.
32. Bengals vs. Panthers
That sound you hear is Fox execs crying in their sleep.
33. Chargers vs. Seahawks
Does Ryan Succop get a Super Bowl ring?
34. Chiefs vs. Packers
Super Bowl I rematch! Get Bart Starr for the coin toss.
35. Chargers vs. Eagles
Rivers has seven kids. And you thought playing football was rough.
36. Chargers vs. Panthers
Seriously, seven kids? Or as Antonio Cromartie calls it: easy.