In the Drew Brees era, the New Orleans Saints have been about a powerful offence and timely defence.
The San Francisco Niners will experience that first hand this Saturday, 14 January, at 4.30pm on Fox. The sides square off in the National Football Conference divisional round.
Offensively, the Saints can score points at a break-neck pace. They set numerous records in 2011 with the highlight being their quarterback Brees setting the all-time single season mark (5,476 passing yards). In their thrashing of the Detroit Lions in the wildcard round, New Orleans proved that prowess was no fluke with 48 points and a playoff record 466 yards and three TDs from Brees.
All of those numbers should worry San Fran, who finished in the top five in defence. Granted they have a QB menace in Aldon Smith (14 sacks) and a pair of heavy hitters in Navarro Bowman and Patrick Willis (136 and 97 tackles respectively). But the Saints can expose a team whose secondary play is great (23 interceptions) but not flawless (the side is outside of the top 15 in passing yards allowed).
The Niners deserve a lot of a credit for a 13-3 regular season that won the NFC West, a second seed and a home game at Candlestick Park. Their offence is much improved behind QB Alex Smith (3,150 yards and 17 TDs), running back Frank Gore (1,211 yards and eight TDs) and tight-end Vernon Davis (six TDs, 792 yards). In fact that unit should be able to get a couple of scores on a Saints defence that bends in the air and on the ground.
Ultimately though, the Saints should come up with enough stops to advance. It could be a track meet and the difference in the score should be two TDs or less.
Another great match-up to watch is Eli Manning battling Aaron Rodgers. On Sunday, 15 January, at 4.30pm Eli’s New York Giants battle Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers on Fox. At Lambeau Field two of the game’s best QBs will look to continue their hunt for a second championship (Eli won in 2007 and Rodgers won last year).
Both have had fantastic seasons to this point. Eli propelled his Giants to the NFC East title before demolishing the Atlanta Falcons last weekend with 277 yards and three TDs. Rodgers produced 4,643 yards and 45 TDs in guiding the Packers to a 15-1 record (best mark in the National Football League), a NFC North crown, a number one seed and home-field advantage.
New York and Green Bay also played one of the best games this season early last month. The Packers needed a miraculous drive in the last minute of the game to outdo fourth quarter heroics from Eli and company.
The Giants have the ability to compete offensively with Green Bay. They have young, talented receivers like Victor Cruz and a rejuvenated running attack with Brandon Jacobs. Moreover the Packers are statistically suspect in all phases of defence.
It is a tough one to call but New York looks capable of slowing down Rodgers with a reinvigorated pass rush. Don’t be surprised if the Giants pull off the upset by a field goal.
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