Niners headed for Super Bowl

I am the first to admit that I have missed parts of the NFL season this year and the time I have spent observing games has been taken up by "Tebow Mania." I still feel like I have a pretty good feel on at least one team headed for the Super Bowl.

The race for the NFC championship tends to focus on two names, Aaron Rogers and Eli Manning. The Packers, under Rogers, and the Giants, under Peyton's little brother, Eli, certainly will make a good showing. They are the best quarterbacks in their divisions, and are a close second and third to Eli's older brother.

Still I say it will be San Francisco, for a simple reason, defense. The 49ers have the best defense in the league, statistically. That will trump any offense in any league.

There is a saying that applies to any sport which is "Defense wins Championships." That is true in football for sure. In baseball it is the team with the best pitchers that win regularly. In hockey the goalie is by far the most important single player on the ice.

The race to join San Francisco in the battle to win the Lombardi trophy will be much more difficult. No team has risen to the top in the AFC. The title game may well be this weekend, between New England and Denver. I would never bet hard earned money against Bill Belichek and Tom Brady. I would also have difficulty betting against the momentum of Tebow's season. Look for a great game with a lot of "Tebowing" with the Patriots taking a narrow win. They will go on to Indianapolis and fall in a close one to the 49ers. Enjoy the weekend of great NFL action.