NFL Playoffs 2012: Tom Brady/Eli Manning Will Torch Alex Smith/Joe Flacco

It wouldn't be fair to compare Tom Brady and Eli Manning to Joe Flacco and Alex Smith, but that's exactly what the AFC and NFC championship games are doing.

Like it or not, these two games will essentially pin together two schools of thought to see which one can come out victorious—at least for now.

Do you need an elite quarterback to win a Super Bowl, or will an average quarterback, a good running game and a great defense do the trick?

Let's break down these two pairs of very different quarterbacks.

The Elite: Tom Brady and Eli Manning

There is no question that these two quarterbacks are elite—yes, Eli, you proved us all wrong—and if it weren't for them, their teams wouldn't be in the position to be playing for the Super Bowl.

The two have a combined four rings—three belonging to Brady—and this season they combined for 10,168 yards and 68 touchdowns.

As they go, their teams go, and so far they've carried their teams to the cusp of the Super Bowl.

The Average: Joe Flacco and Alex Smith

These two quarterback's teams are hoping to get to the Super Bowl in spite of them.

While both have had moments of greatness, they have been criticized for offensive ineptitude and an inability to be "franchise quarterbacks," especially Smith.

Smith has seemingly turned it around under Jim Harbaugh, and Flacco does just enough to get by, but there is no doubt that the Ravens and 49ers lean heavily on their running games and defense to win them games.

These two have put up 6,754 yards and 37 touchdowns this season.

Conclusion

If I had to put my money on it—which I won't—I would take the elite quarterbacks over elite defences.

Flacco and Smith have great running backs and defenses, but there is nothing in football that can replace offensive firepower.