Bruschi takes a look at the matchups when each team has the ball and sees a tight game that could come down to how well the Patriots stop the run and how Tom Brady attacks the Saints' cornerbacks.
Bruschi also offers a brutally frank observation about his old team's inability to close out games against better teams this year.
"This is out of character for a Bill Belichick-coached team, but at this point of the season, you pretty much are what you are. You've had all training camp, then September, October and November to develop your identity. And right now the Patriots aren't a second half team. That can end up being a huge problem in terms of your season being over early.
"That being said, I think if the Patriots beat the Saints, they have a chance to eliminate that label and the reason why is this: If you solve a problem like that in a big game, against a great team, it can sometimes flip a switch and you can ride that through towards a successful season."
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Tim Graham
Graham joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Miami Dolphins for the Palm Beach Post. He previously spent eight years at the Buffalo News, where he was an award-winning NHL and boxing writer. The Baldwin-Wallace College grad also has worked for the Las Vegas Sun and Boston Herald.
