Super Bowl XLVI: 49ers vs. Patriots Is the Matchup America Needs

On paper, the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots have nothing in common. They both had great seasons in 2011, but that is where the comparisons end. It is for precisely that reason we need to see these two teams lock horns at Super Bowl XLVI on February 5. 

I know that the Green Bay Packers were the best team in the NFC in the regular season, but they are too similar to the Patriots to make for a compelling matchup. Sure, there would be a lot of points scored, and fans get into that, but it is not a great stylistic clash. 

The Patriots are successful thanks to their exhilarating offense, led by quarterback Tom Brady. They have scored points at will this season. They finished first in the AFC with 513 points, 107 more than second-place San Diego. 

Rob Gronkowski set an NFL record with 17 touchdown receptions as a tight end. Wes Welker led the NFL with 122 receptions. 

The 49ers counter with a fierce, attacking defense that does not quit. Justin Smith might be the most underrated player in the NFL. He is a monster in the pass rush, and everything that the defense is able to do starts with his ability on the line. 

Rookie defensive end/linebacker Aldon Smith emerged as a pass-rush specialist with 14 sacks this season. Patrick Willis is the best linebacker in the NFL, and Carlos Rogers has been a superstar at the cornerback position. 

The offense proved against New Orleans on Saturday that it has what it takes to score when it counts. But let's be honest, a Patriots vs. 49ers Super Bowl would be all about what happens when Brady, Hernandez, Gronkowski and Welker are on the field against Willis, the Smiths and Rogers. 

In addition to the on-field matchups that we would get, you have the entire East Coast vs. West Coast dynamic. Throughout the history of this great nation, we have settled our differences based on whether you represent for the east or west. 

Are you Tupac or Biggie? Finesse or power? Belichick or Harbaugh?

These are the kinds of questions that we can get to the bottom of if the Patriots and 49ers take care of business next week in their conference championship games. 

This NFL season has been all about the quarterbacks, but the 49ers are proof that great things can happen when you build a team around a swarming defense that just keeps coming at you. In a lot of ways, they are like those Patriots teams that won Super Bowls in 2001, 2003 and 2004. 

Let's get behind these two teams and hope that they give us the matchup in Indianapolis that we want and deserve. 

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