There are enough storylines in Monday's big game to keep a room full of writers busy for months. We grabbed two of the lesser talented ones and got them to go over some of the main points bettors are talking about.
Who is the better quarterback right now: Tom Brady or Drew Brees?
Grewal: Brady is playing awfully good right now. He's shaken off the rust he was showing at the start of the season, and his offensive line is giving him all kinds of time.
I'm still going to go with Brees. For all the stats that Brady has the edge in, Brees has the most important one: wins.
Carey: Tom Brady. Period. The three-time Super Bowl Champion has about 300 more yards but only two fewer touchdown passes and three fewer interceptions, all while averaging nearly seven more pass attempts per game than Brees. The New England offense is much more reliant on Brady – the Patriots average about 40 fewer rushing yards per game and has scored seven less rushing touchdowns – plus the team plays in cold weather, not a dome.
Brees is slightly more explosive, but don’t let ESPN highlight packages fool you, Brady still is the best, even if the donkeys on “Around the Horn” are sick of talking about him.
Is this game more important to the Saints or the Pats?
Carey: The Saints need this game more. New Orleans is undefeated, but leads the Vikings by a mere game for the top seed in the NFC. The Saints playing at home in the Superdome is key to a successful playoff run. Meantime, New England has the Little Sisters of the Poor to beat up on in the AFC East, and likely won’t face another potential playoff team until Week 16 or 17. The Saints being favored by a single point shows they have a slight edge at home and the books believe they want this game more.
Grewal: Gotta agree with that. This isn't just about the overall standings in the NFC and it's not about continuing an undefeating season.
All of New Orleans' big wins this season don't look so big anymore. This is a statement game for the Saints. If they don't win this one, we'll all be questioning how good Sean Payton's boys really are.
Will either defense show up and make some stops?
Grewal: The Pats and the Saints get out to big leads just about every week, which means each team's secondary is tested every Sunday.
I'm a little worried about all wounded defensive backs New Orleans has but I think you'll see some stops and maybe even a few three-and-outs.
Carey: Fans of low-scoring, ball control, grinding games should stay away from this matchup which features a total of 56.5. If either defense steps up, look for it to be the Saints.
The team’s secondary has been hit hard by injuries, but New Orleans still has a league-high 20 interceptions and allowed a meager nine touchdown passes, the third-fewest in the league.
New England should do a few things early to confuse Brees, but by the middle of the fourth quarter, it will become obvious that whoever has the ball last will win.
Final score predictions
Carey: New England 38, New Orleans 35
Grewal: New England 28, New Orleans 24