In this corner ...

Teams' defensive backs will play a large role Sunday

Sooner, rather than later, both the Patriots and the Rams will throw the ball Sunday. And if the scouting reports hold up, cornerbacks Otis Smith and Dexter McCleon will be favorite targets.

Both starting defenders face similar issues. Their teammates on the opposite side -- Ty Law and Aeneas Williams -- will be avoided by the opposition and that will turn up the heat on Smith and McCleon. Football coaches like Bill Belichick and Mike Martz know how to reduce this contest to the performance of their receivers on the second corner, so both coaches will throw the deep ball.

The last time these teams met, back in November, Smith topped the Patriots with 10 tackles. He didn't lead the team because he was all over the field; he led because Martz decided to go after him. Smith had two passes defended and competed very well in New England's narrow loss. Torry Holt did the most damage, catching seven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown, all in Smith's area.

Last week in the AFC Championship Game, Smith had one of his finest games as a pro, playing very aggressive coverage on Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress. Even though Burress caught five passes, Smith jammed his release and got Kordell Stewart to hold the ball long enough to let the pass-rush pressure get to him. Smith was second on Belichick's defense in tackles in Pittsburgh and will no doubt be one of his club's top three tacklers this week in New Orleans.

The Patriots' passing game plan will revolve around attacking McCleon, no matter who is under center. McCleon struggled at times in the NFC Championship Game, especially on Todd Pinkston's touchdown catch. Back in November, McCleon responded to New England's pressure with six tackles, an interception and two passes defended. Most of those tackles came against the running game; the interception happened on the first pass play in McCleon's area and that bought him some time in the game. I expect Sunday will be a much different story.

Troy Brown is red hot after catching eight passes for 121 yards last week; plus, he had eight catches against St. Louis last time around. I expect the Rams to match Williams on Brown. That will shift David Patten on McCleon. For the Patriots to have a chance at the Superdome, Patten needs to have a big day.

Sure, the safeties can lend a hand to the coverage, but only if the running game is under control. If Marshall Faulk is running wild like he did last week (159 yards), Smith will be all on his own. If Antowain Smith can establish a ground game, McCleon will be flying solo.

When Martz was asked why he ran Faulk so much in the third quarter against the Eagles, he explained, "We needed to get a safety up into the run defense to reopen the passing lanes." Mission accomplished.

So don't take your eyes off these two corners. Both hold a big part of their teams' fates in their hands.

Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNNSI.com.

 

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