Rule no. 1: don't turn the ball over.

Sounds pretty simple, but it was the death knell for multiple teams last weekend in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.

The only team to lose the turnover battle but win the game was the New England Patriots. Love him or hate him, the magic simply ran out for Tim Tebow, who simply couldn't keep up on the road with a team as polished offensively as the Pats.

Tom Brady's interception and tailback Stevan Ridley's fumble were erased by the former's 363-yard, six touchdown passing day. It was the quintessential buzz saw, and the Denver Broncos ran right into it.

Apart from that, the most lopsided game of the four both before and after kickoff, each of the three losing teams committed at least four turnovers and forced no more than one.

The Houston Texans were asking a lot of rookie and former third-string quarterback T.J. Yates to go into Baltimore against a perennially vicious defense and pull out a win. Yet somehow, with Baltimore's offense sputtering, the Texans were within striking distance down the stretch.

Left with an opportunity to tie the game in the final seconds, Yates whipped a bomb down the right sideline - perhaps a bit prematurely - that resulted in his third interception and the team's fourth turnover. Game, blouses.

Out west, it was 49ers that were having to answer questions about how they intended to handle the Saints. True to form, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees had a monster day, throwing for 462 yards and four scores. But his two interceptions and three costly fumbles by Saints ball carriers kept the game close.

All due credit to the Niners, who showed serious moxie in the closing minutes and matched the Saints blow-for-blow--and then some. The flurry to end the game - including Vernon Davis's instant classic winning touchdown grab - transcended the turnover battle. All the same, San Francisco was in that position for a reason.

The final game of the weekend was also the biggest upset. At 15-1, the Green Bay Packers displayed little to no weakness throughout the season. Yes, they ranked dead last in yardage allowed, but were 19th in points allowed, and it's fair to note that opposing teams had to be pass heavy and go for broke just to keep up with the league's highest-scoring offense.

But what the Pack proved Sunday night is that being careless with the football can neutralize any matchup. The Giants slapped and scraped at the ball all night and forced three critical fumbles while Green Bay receivers time and time again let catchable balls pass them by.

Now, the red-hot Giants travel to the city by the bay to face the emboldened 49ers, and the Ravens heads north a piece to take on the Patriots. The possibility of an all-Harbaugh Super Bowl (San Fran's Jim and Baltimore's John) remains, and each team remaining looks confident and dangerous. Should be a great close to the season that almost wasn't.