The Super Bowl is less than a month away, but it never hurts to talk about possible matchups. Right now, though the Seattle Seahawks are threatening in the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers have one of the most balanced teams in the league. In the AFC, the Denver Broncos are the hottest. Could we be in for a Super Bowl XXIV rematch?
Peyton Manning proved unstoppable once again. Neck surgery? Yeah, like that's going to stop him. Manning passed for 4,659 yards and 37 touchdowns, both totals matching the second most in the future Hall of Famer's career.
The Broncos wrapped up the 2012 season winners of 11 straight games. Of course, the playoffs are a different beast, but the New England Patriots look like the only team capable of stopping Manning and the Broncos.
On the other side, the 49ers are experimenting with Collin Kaepernick who took over in the second half of the season and posted a 5-2 record in seven games started. He passed for 1,814 yards eclipsing Alex Smith's total in nine starts this year. Kaepernick also finished with 10 touchdowns, three interceptions, 415 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
He's a complete player in terms of passing and rushing. He could use more experience, but Jim Harbaugh has placed 100 percent trust in his second-year man out of Nevada.
On the defense end, both teams are great. The 49ers allowed the second least points as teams only averaged 17.1 points per game. The Broncos were fourth allowing just a point more per game.
On passing defense, they were both stingy. The Broncos allowed the second least total yardage per game giving up just 290 and the 49ers were fourth in the league allowing 294.
The Seahawks present a crazy good offense, but their offense isn't a explosive as Manning's or Kaepernick's. The Patriots have the best scoring offense in the league, but their defense ranks low in certain aspects like pass defense.
Both the Seahawks and the Patriots have great teams and would present, though not popular, a dynamic Super Bowl matchup as a top defensive team takes a top offensive squad.
For now, the Broncos and the 49ers are the favorite for finishing on top in their respective conferences.
Who would win Super Bowl XLVII?
Let's wait until next week to see if these guys are still alive.
The Broncos take on the Baltimore Ravens at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, while the 49ers close Saturday's action against the Green Bay Packers at 8 p.m. ET
