New Orleans Saints vs San Francisco 49ers While I was driving to the old day job today, I heard Mike and Mike debating about how we'll find out whether or not the old adage "Defense wins championshps" still rings true. When you think about it, this game is about a battle of styles: the high-flying, high scoring offensive wunderkind Saints and the physical, punishing 49ers.

On that topic, as a fan from the 80's I can't believe we're seeing a San Francisco team that's as physical as this one. But anywho...

The 49ers are giving up a paltry 77.3 yards per game on the ground. The Saints have been quite proficient on the ground this year, averaging 132.9 yards per game. The Niners limit opposing QB's to a 73.6 rating. Saints QB's passed for a 110.5 rating.

The Saints on defense surrender over 100 yards per game on the run, while the Niners have a more than capable rushing offense, averaging 127.8 yards per game.

The one stat category that is one sided is the Saints Pass Defense vs Alex Smith and the 49ers passing game. The Niners pass for only 183 yards per game while the Saints have contained opposing passers to the tune of a 86.4 rating. The hidden aspect in that is that while Smith will never be confused with Brees, 49ers QBs put up a 91.4 rating.

What does all this mean? Not a damn thing if the Niners pass defense lays an egg and Brees goes nuts.

For the Niners to win, they can't turn the ball over and they need to ride Frank Gore like Zorro. On defense, they've produced turnovers and that has to happen here. Two Brees interceptions and they're in business.

For the Saints to win, they need to stifle Frank Gore and make Alex Smith beat them.

They can do that, and they will. Saints win, 21-10.

Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots The Chosen One vs. The Golden Boy- pure TV magic, eh?

I'm not even going to get into numbers here folks. The world is aflutter with Tim Tebow-mania after his nice little toss to Demarius Thomas to eliminate the Steelers in overtime and produced this.

If Denver wants any chance to win this, Tim Tebow can't turn the ball over. There is a chance in this one as the Patriots defense statistically is not awe- inspiring.

In their previous meeting a couple of weeks ago, once the Pats started playing man-to-man Tebow imploded. I would expect a lot less zone and lot more trying to make Tebow make progressions and hope the pass rush gets there first.

On the Patriots side, while people are now being vocal about their distrust in Tom Brady's abilities, he still has viable targets to throw to in Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, and Aaron Hernandez.

The only question is if the Broncos somehow win this, will Josh McDaniels finally get labeled as the saboteur he really is?

The Patriots come away with this one, 27-17.