Gronking and Discount Double-Check: What to Watch in Week 19, NFL Playoffs 2012

This weekend is Week 19 of the NFL season, which is also known as the divisional round of the playoffs. A recap for those who have been living under a rock for the past week:

The Broncos travel to New England: Tim Tebow defied critics last week when he led the Broncos to a 29-23 win over the Steelers at home. Tebow averaged an astonishing 31.6 yards per completion, shutting down critics, at least for now, who say that Tebow has no passing game.

The Texans visit the Ravens on Sunday: The Texan-Bengal matchup of Week 18 at first seemed like it was going to be a close battle, and the first time two rookie quarterbacks faced off in a playoff matchup. This was not the case, as Arian Foster ran away with the win, rushing for 153 yards and two TDs. The final score? 31-10.

The Giants take on the 15-1 Packers: I don't think anyone could have predicted the final score of the Falcons-Giants matchup of Week 18. The offense fell flat, especially Michael Turner who was held to a dismal 2.7 average yards per carry. The only points the Falcons put on the board were the safety on Eli Manning. And the Giants offense even put up 24 points with a quiet day from Cruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuz.

The Saints visit the 49ers: This is the first matchup of the weekend, and it will all come down to the 49er defense. If the 49er defense cannot step up and stop Brees, then they will be pretty much handing the win to the Saints. Alex Smith may have finally come into his own as a starting QB, but he cannot compare to the greatness of Drew Brees.

With that said, here are the key factors to watch that will make or break a team in Week 19.

New England Patriots: Gronking

Yes, Tom Brady has a number of capable targets to throw to, including his other tight end, Aaron Hernandez. But none are as electrifying this season as Rob Gronkowski. Gronk caught 90 balls for 1,327 yards while leading the league in receiving touchdowns with 17. While SHARING the tight end role.

Everyone has been talking about Tebowing throughout the season, but the new great thing is Gronking (if you are unaware of what Gronking is, please visit YouTube). Look for a few Gronks in Week 19.

Denver Broncos: Tim Tebow in the Playoffs

There is little faith out there that the Broncos can eliminate the Patriots from the playoffs in New England. The one factor that will make or break the possibility is Tim Tebow. Tebow opened up last week against the Steelers, rushing 50 yards for one TD, but more surprisingly completing 10 passes for 316 yards and two TDs.

Demaryius Thomas has developed into Tebow's go-to guy, so it will be interesting to see how the Patriots cover Thomas. They shouldn't have too much of a problem given that Eric Decker is ruled out for this week's game, so look forward to more of a rushing Tebow game than a passing Tebow game.

Houston Texans: The 1-2 Rushing Punch

The Texans hit a rough patch down the long haul of the 2011 season. Andre Johnson was limited to seven games, but more importantly the Texans had to rely on third-string rookie QB T.J. Yates starting in Week 12.

It's a good thing that the Texans had the second-best rushing attack in the league, averaging 153 rushing yards per game. That is mainly due to the one-two punch of Arian Foster and Ben Tate, who combined rushed for 2,166 yards and 14 TDs. With an inexperienced QB under center in the biggest game of the Texans' 10-year history, look forward to the Foster-Tate duo to run the field. If the Ravens defense allows it.

Baltimore Ravens: Flacco and His Receiving Options

Joe Flacco and his Ravens are no strangers to the playoffs. Flacco has led his Ravens to the playoffs every season since his rookie campaign in 2008, but this was the first playoff birth that was accompanied by a first-round bye.

Flacco needs to get around J.J. Watt and the Texans defense and find his targets downfield, as Ray Rice cannot take the full load. Anquan Boldin appears to be healthy enough to play Sunday, and standout rookie Torrey Smith and Ed Dickson will give Flacco plenty of targets to throw to. Should it be mentioned that Ray Rice caught 76 passes for 704 yards and three TDs?

New York Giants: Eli Manning Connects to Victor Cruz for Some Cha-Cha

Eli Manning has really taken advantage of older brother Peyton being out this season. Eli can finally, at least for this season, be considered in the elite class of quarterbacks. But what did he have to work with this season to propel him to that status? He had Hakeem Nicks the full season, but his other favorite TD target Mario Manningham was in and out with injury. Who would have thought that Manning's new favorite target would have been not only an undrafted receiver in his second year, but also one who didn't catch a single pass in his rookie year.

Enter Victor Cruz, or better known as, Cruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuzzz.

I can't get over how many times I have watched the Giants this season and thought they were being booed at home. It turns out that booooo sounds like Cruuuuuz. Victor Cruz led Giant receivers in every major receiving stat category, but you would not know it watching last week's game against the Falcons when he only caught two passes for 28 yards. I take that game as a fluke, and Cruz will have a much better outing tomorrow.

Green Bay Packers: The Discount Double-Check

The Giants have been playing pretty well the past few weeks. But they are going on the road to Green Bay, home of the Aaron Rodgers belt touchdown celebration. You may be aware of this motion as it has been made popular from the State Farm commercials as the "discount double-check."

Rodgers is a force to be reckoned with, almost enough to make you say 'Brett who?" This game could be very close, but expect both teams to put up a lot of points.

The difference between the two is that Aaron Rodgers has an arsenal and more to throw to. Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley, James Jones, Donald Driver, Randall Cobb and nine other targets that Rodgers has used throughout the season. And if Greg Jennings starts the game as it appears he will, look for Jordy Nelson to have a monster game. 

San Francisco 49ers: Defense, Defense, Defense

I'll give credit to Alex Smith and Michael Crabtree because they both stepped up this season to prove why both are previous first-round picks. But the 49ers didn't get to being the No. 2 seed in the NFC because of these two. They got there because of Patrick Willis and the defense. The 49ers defense has the second-lowest points allowed per game (14.3), second-highest interceptions (23) and second-highest forced fumbles (19). For the 49ers to win against the Saints, these stats are going to need to be apparent in this matchup. Otherwise, Drew Brees is going to run away with this game.  

New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees

There really isn't anything to say regarding the Saints other than Drew Brees, the man who threw for 46 TDs and beat Dan Marino's single-season passing yard record by 392 yards (5,476).

For the Saints to win Brees has to have his typical monster game, because they don't really have the best running game. No pressure to Marques Colston or Jimmy Graham, though.