Super Bowl Predictions 2012: Why Quarterback Play Won't Matter in Big Game

The year 2011 was dubbed “the year of the quarterback” by ESPN as we watched players like Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers rewrite the record books.

But now it’s 2012 and both of those players are going to be watching the Super Bowl at home. They’d give back their stats for a chance to play on Sunday.

Strong defense has been the name of the game and there is no reason to think it won’t continue.

The Giants' pass rush, led by Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora, has been on fire of late and are proving that the key to disrupting the flow of ultra-accurate QBs is to keep them running. Rodgers ended up being the leading rusher for Green Bay on Sunday.

Eli Manning played well, but he wasn’t the main reason the Giants embarrassed the Packers 37-20. It was the defense that caused critical turnovers and set the offense up on a short field.

Just like how the Baltimore Ravens beat the Houston Texans 20-13. QB Joe Flacco did not play well, but the defense caused four turnovers including a Ed Reed pick that essentially ended the game.

The Ravens will go as far as their top five defense takes them.

Ditto for the San Francisco 49ers.

While Alex Smith had the game of his life against the Saints (299 yards, three TDs), history tells us Smith is nothing more than a game-manager that doesn’t turn the ball over.

With a 49ers defense that almost went the entire year without allowing a rushing touchdown, that’s all he needs to be. Nobody expects Smith to put the 49ers on his back.

And that’s just fine.

The one team that is screwed without their quarterback is the New England Patriots, or so we think.

Sure Tom Brady has to play well for the Pats to win, but it’s their defense that’s key.

Holding the unorthodox Denver Broncos to 10 points took the pressure off Brady, which allowed him to take shots down the field early and often. The defense forget they were ranked 31^st in the league against the pass during the regular season. They have to continue improving in order to win this deep into the playoffs.

In summary, the NFL’s final four is all about strong defense. In a sport where we always give all the credit to the quarterback, this is the year defenses get the credit they rightfully deserve. It features two defenses ranked in the top three and two defenses that have allowed an average of 10 points a game in the postseason. 

Pretty ironic in a year where the pass was the most dangerous weapon all season long.