The Detroit Lions are the team to beat in the NFC, but this conference's wild-card teams put up more fight than their AFC counterparts.

In many ways, the start of the NFL playoffs is similar to the first week of the regular season. There's a feeling of newness in the air, along with the optimism from fan bases that this might be the year when something special takes place.

Which teams are in line to play for it all? Our writers and editors fill out their brackets and pick a champion, a final score and an MVP for the big game.