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-------------------- Let's just get it out of the way before everyone and their mother makes their Superbowl 46 prediction for the New England Patriots vs. New York Giants. For one, I think this game has the serious potential to be the highest rated Superbowl game of all time. The 2007 game exploded the ratings, but this is the sequel to that game. Sure, the Patriots and Giants teams are different from 2007, but the coaches are the same as are the Quarterbacks. If you don't think that the Patriots organization wants revenge for ruining the Undefeated season, you're crazy. It makes Tom Brady and Wes Welker ill even talking about that game. Patriots are currently 2.5 point favorites, according to Las Vegas and 55 total points between the teams is the over/under on the ending score. In my opinion, this game is incredibly dependent on how the Patriots can (a) protect Tom Brady and (b) slow down Eli Manning in the deep passing game. In 2007, the Patriots struggled to provide protection for Tom Brady. The Giants have a very strong pass rush that will no doubt attempt to attack Brady. The 2011 Patriot line is much weaker and injury prone than the 2007 one, so thus it will be a challenge for the Patriots to tire the Giants with no-huddle, chipping with the runningbacks, and getting Gronkowski/Hernandez open when they have to passblock. If Brady can remain upright with at least 3 seconds to scan the field, it's going to be a long day for the Giants because their secondary is actually weaker than it was in 2007. Jason Pierre-Paul is a BEAST, though, and could an ongoing thorn in the side for the Patriots. But I figure Brady will get something around 24 points or more this Sunday. The bigger issue is SLOWING down Eli Manning. Eli will "get his", but it's a matter of how much the Patriots will let him nibble. I'm guessing that the Patriots will play the Giants like they did with the San Diego Chargers this year... They REFUSED to give Phillip Rivers the deep throw and he had to nickel and dime his way to each endzone. The Patriots have a good Red Zone Defense and forced the Chargers to kick field goals all game. You could just see the frustration on Phillip Rivers's face from being forced to play small ball and it devouring the clock. The Patriots might play deep to stop the Hicks/Manningham/Cruz trio from beating them on longer passing routes. Unlike the slower San Diego Chargers receivers, the New York Giants have serious speed at Wide Receiver and Cruz is becoming an absolute stud to contend with. Hicks, without as much attention as before, has become a very dangerous WR himself with the emergence of Cruz. If the Giants can beat the Patriots deep, much like Ben Roethlisberger did earlier this year with Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown burning the Patriots secondary with pure speed, GAME OVER. Vince Wilfork will be asked to have another "game of his life" again, especially attacking the Giants run. Expecting the Patriots to play deep on the pass, someone like Ahmad Bradshaw could have a HUGE game. Wilfork has to play a great game again. I love the New York Giants balance on both sides of the ball and feel that Eli Manning is emerging as one of the best QB's in the league... But I'll be damned if the Patriots aren't a team of destiny this year with a team full of unknowns, in support of Bob Kraft for his wife's passing before the season, and REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED COLD for the 2007 undefeated embarrassment. I'm going 31-27 New England Patriots to win Superbowl #46 and it will the 4th Superbowl victory for Tom Brady to thus allow for the Greatest Quarterback of All Time discussions to begin. BUT - I'll be happy if the Giants win. Great class organization and I'll be very happy for Eli Manning who has worked very hard since 2004 to be great. CONTACT MR. TITO - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: @titowrestling - Join LoPForums.com: Feedback Thread BLOG is TITO Archive on LoPForums.com © Mr. Tito 1998 - 2012
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