If you want to win a championship in the NFL, you need great quarterback play.
The winner and loser both had play from their quarterback in the game that had teams without that franchise guy drooling as the yards piled up. The best part, there isn't one stereotypical skill-set a quarterback has to have to turn in a performance on the league's biggest stage.
Two quarterbacks, two different styles, separated by only three points as the Ravens were crowned.
Whether it was Joe Flacco tearing up the "great" 49ers defense for 287 yards, three touchdowns and countless big throws under duress, or if it was Colin Kaepernick accruing 364 total yards, two touchdowns and just five yards shy of a title for the 49ers, the theory over the past decade was only reaffirmed:
Great defenses can only take you so far. It takes a quarterback to get you the ultimate prize, and a great one at that.
With the Buffalo Bills having a brand new coaching staff and a more youthful approach, it seems the time may be now for the franchise to select a quarterback of the future. It could be the prototypical pocket passer, or the new age dual-threat. The most important factor is to get the right fit.
Without that signal caller to lead you in to the next echelon of teams, you're just a team like the Houston Texans, spinning your gears with a quarterback that disappears in big games. They have a great regular season defense, yes, but their quarterback play has hindered them from becoming a truly great team. Great quarterback play bounced them out of the playoffs almost effortlessly.
Whether it's the eighth overall pick for the Bills, if they wait until the second round or maybe even trade back in to the first round to get their guy, this year has to be the year. For 13 years, fans have been waiting for that answer.
The time is now to take a swing. They've been struck out looking for far too long.
Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia
