Broncos vs. Patriots: Patriots Run Defense More Vital Than Tom Brady vs. Denver

As the great John Madden would say, this will be a battle won in the trenches.

With quarterbacks Tim Tebow and Tom Brady squaring off in this divisional round matchup, inevitably the spotlight shines bright on these two top-notch, completely different QBs.

Yet it won't be the greatness of Tom Brady that ultimately decides this game for the New England Patriots. There is no question there as to whether or not the Patriots will be getting top-notch play from their QB

The one question to answer for Patriots is whether or not they will able to stop the No. 1 running game of the Broncos. It will be a matter of the Patriots defensive line getting enough penetration to cause Tebow and company problems in the run game.

Tim Tebow and Willis McGahee are the anchors of the most dynamic run game in the NFL, averaging 164.5 yards per contest.

In the team's previous matchup against the New England Patriots in the regular season, the Broncos offensive line outright owned the Patriots defensive line and were able record a whopping 252 yards and three touchdowns on just 31 carries.

Talk about downright impressive.

The one major reason the Broncos found themselves losing the football game was the inability to maintain possession of the football, as they gave it up three times in the second quarter.

Pair three turnovers with QB Tom Brady and as sound an offensive unit as there is in football scoring points and the game was pretty much over at halftime.

If the Denver Broncos can take care of the football and run effectively there is no question that this team stands a chance.

Yet in what is set to be a Patriots victory in Foxborough, the Patriots will do just enough to hold off the Broncos running game. In the previous contest, the majority of the 252 yards were gained in the first half as the Patriots were able to regroup and shut down the run game.

Having watched film and studying the mistakes they made in the previous contest, DE Vince Wilfork and the defensive line of the Patriots will have to win the battle in the trenches and force Tebow to throw for the majority of the contest.

The Patriots may have been one of the more pathetic defensive units this season, yet the team ranks No. 17 against the run.

With a look at Tebow and the offense earlier in the season, expect the Patriots to come out strong and win this game at the defensive line.