Excluding the Bronco's game, which really came down to the deference in QB's, it seems the team with the best defensive play and special teams play won out. I was looking forward to these match ups as they for the most part displayed teams built on one or the other. Either a dominate offense or one with a dominate defense and special team play, and as we have speculated on the upcoming draft there has been a lot of discussion on the possibilty of us taking early round picks to build on our strength by taking a WR and OL, so that we can build a Saint or Packers like scoring machine. I believe this weekend taught us a lot about how that works out once you get to the playoffs.

Even though I was tempted by the idea of adding to our strength and joining the ranks of the Packers, Saints, and Patriots, I am now fully on the side of building our defense up and think we need to forget any early roundpicks for the offense unless an exceptional player happens to fall to us. Watching what SF did to NO was just amazing and it was clear to me that both Brees and Rogers both had a horrible time trying to get their passing game going becuase of great down field coverage and and constant pocket pressure.

The other obvious difference was the incredible intensity SF played at and their tackling was the best I have watched this year. I can only hope with a true off season RR can instill those tackling fundamentals into this defense. The last of the top ranked offensive / lowly defensive teams left is NE and they get to go up against one of the all time great D's in the Ravens. Lets see how that plays out, but I have to say I am pulling for the 49's the rest of the playoffs, because they played with a heart, a passion, and with an intensity I have not seen since the Raven's won their Superbowl. This was a fun weekend of good old fashion football and DEFENSE won.

Brockers is sounding better and better all the time.