NFL Fact or Fiction: Ravens Will Face Saints in Super Bowl XLVI

Other than the undefeated Green Bay Packers, it seems as if the New Orleans Saints are emerging as the second-best team in the National Football League. Right behind the Saints are the New England Patriots, and shortly down the powerhouse list comes the recently embarrassed Baltimore Ravens.

Coming off a 62-7 shellacking of the Manning-less Indianapolis Colts, the Saints proved they have the most elite offense in the NFL. Through seven games, the 5-2 Saints have scored more points (239) than any other team in the league—including Green Bay.

Led by Drew Brees and his 71-percent completion percentage, the Saints have a great chance to breeze into Super Bowl XLVI. A gradually improving defense also give the Saints a great Super Bowl chance.

The AFC champions and Super Bowl XLVI representatives could very well be the Baltimore Ravens.

Yes, yes, I know the Ravens were recently exposed by the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars—and on Monday night, I know.

But let's think logically. The Ravens are still in much better shape than most think, and can easily fix their foibles from Monday's game. The Ravens base their success off of running the ball and playing championship defense. What makes us think one game in which the running game was off, along with the defense, will completely condemn a perennial power team?

Can these two teams withstand the remainder of the season to matchup for what would be a historic Super Bowl XLVI, pitting an elite offense against an elite defense? It's either fact or fiction—you just help debate it.

Fact: The Ravens Will Play in Super Bowl XLVI

The Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints are truly two of the best teams in the NFL, and will meet in the Super Bowl this coming February.

Let's start by making a case for the Ravens. Sure, they may have lost on Monday, but that was just one game. A teams who bases their offense off of Ray Rice and running the ball was only given eight rushing attempts in the game. Quarterback Joe Flacco threw the ball way more than he should have—something Baltimore usually doesn't have in their game plans.

A championship defense is also something the Ravens have that no other NFL team can boast. They're only allowing 13 points per game, while ranking third in rush defense and fourth in passing defense. No other team in the NFL can boast being in the top five in both categories.

Another convincing factor is the scheduling. They have a very manageable remainder of the season, having already defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers once, and the Ravens have a remaining schedule that indicates a very good final record. The Ravens will coast through the end of the season and will be the AFC Champions.

Fact: The Saints Will Play in Super Bowl XLVI

Without a doubt, the New Orleans Saints will make it to the Super Bowl.

With the most effective and electric offense in the NFL, the Saints—led by elite quarterback Drew Brees—will represent the NFC. A team whose defense isn't bad but isn't great makes up for that on the offensive side of the ball.

Drew Brees is playing out of his mind right now, having thrown 18 touchdowns for almost 2,500 yards. Also, since the departure of Reggie Bush, rookie Mark Ingram and newcomer Darren Sproles have filled in amicably, giving the Saints one of the top running games in the NFL—something they did not have with Bush.

The Saints also have something many teams don't: intangibles. The Saints have been there and done that. They have the Super Bowl experience from two years ago, giving them that much-needed huge game experience.

A Ravens-Saints matchup would be amazing. An elite defense against an elite offense? A tactical game for the ages; it just doesn't get much better than that.

Fiction: The Ravens Will Not Play in Super Bowl XLVI

There is NO WAY that the Baltimore Ravens will make it all the way to February's Super Bowl only on the merit of their defense. The Ravens are a good team, but not an elite team.

The evidence is out there. They have already laid three eggs this season: against Tennessee, Jacksonville and the New York Jets. Two of those teams are below-average teams.

It seems as if third-year quarterback Joe Flacco is regressing, not improving. A dismal 53-percent completion percentage is one thing, but having only thrown eight touchdowns in six games, while throwing five interceptions sounds like a recipe for disaster. Flacco's 76 quarterback ratings is also way below his high 80s career rating.

Flacco needs to be more consistent, as does the play calling. Ray Rice needs to run the ball more in order for this team to succeed. When he doesn't get touches or isn't successful, Flacco is forced to throw. When Flacco throws, it's either four and out, or a turnover occurs. This then puts pressure on Baltimore's defense more often than they wished.

The Ravens are a good football team, and can go far in the playoffs, but making it all the way to a Super Bowl berth? I just can't see it.

The offense is lackluster, and their defense will eventually run out of steam if the offense cannot put itself back into winning gear.

Fiction: The Saints Will Not Play in Super Bowl XLVI

Getting to the Super Bowl for New Orleans also means getting through the defending Super Bowl champions.

An absolute juggernaut of a football team, the Green Bay Packers will have to be taken down by somebody. I'm sorry, but if the Saints play Green Bay in the postseason, forget about it.

The Saints have a great time with an elite quarterback, but I just can't see New Orleans making a splash in the upcoming playoffs. They have a good running game, but a grueling remainder of their schedule could wear this team down to a low point right before the playoffs—something no team wants.

A middle-of-the-pack defense is all the Saints can show for on that side of the ball as well. They're not great, they're not horrible. An average defense usually doesn't ride the offense all the way to the Super Bowl. Yet, the Saints did just that several years ago.