Saints vs. 49ers: Drew Brees Will Extend Brilliant Season

The notion of defense winning championships went out the window the minute Drew Brees decided to have a historical season. 

Who would dare stand in the way of the man who shattered Dan Marino's 27-year-old record of 5,084 yards passing by throwing for 5,476? For many, the claim is that the San Francisco 49ers' grass and an open-air stadium in San Francisco will. 

Granted, the Saints will have to face a rowdy crowd and will no doubt be slowed away from a dome. So we can concede that they will not throw up 40 points, but they will certainly put up a good amount of points on the board. 

This is an intriguing game that will serve to answer whether a stout defense is indeed the way to win consistently in the playoffs. The Saints will be strained to hold the 49ers, who will most definitely place a couple touchdown drives together. 

The Saints are a predatory defense and the 49ers just don't cough up the ball. That is why this game will be a higher scoring affair than you would think. 

What it all comes down to is versatility. The Niners can stop the run, but can't stop a team that will do everything in their power to surprise. Brees explains what is at the heart of the Saints offense, via ABC News:

"

We always go into every game with an aggressive mentality. We're going to be balanced, but within the framework of that we're going to take our shots. We're going to throw the kitchen sink at everybody with our tempo, personnel groups, formations, running the ball, outside, drop-back pass, bootlegs, heavy play-action, everything. But within the framework of that, you understand, especially early on, you check it down, move on.

"

It's all or nothing for the Saints, and there is no way that we can bet against a team that has been feasting lately. 

While the 49ers will not be beat by the run, the Saints have a rotation that will at least keep  San Francisco on their toes. 

After that, it's all Brees and the Saints bombing the ball all over the field. The 49ers are a ground and pound team, but the Saints pace will make this a shootout, and San Francisco can't keep up with that type of game.

Follow @gabezal