Super Bowl XLVI Preview

New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

Date: Sunday February 5th, 2012 6:30 EST (NBC)

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium (Turf) Indianapolis, Indiana 

Previous Meeting(s): Giants 24 Patriots 20

When New England has the Ball:

Can Tom Brady revenge the 2007 Super Bowl Loss,
and win his 4th SB Ring?
-The New England Patriots relied on Tom Brady to get them to the Super Bowl, now Brady will be relied upon as he and the Patriots look to win their 4th Super Bowl Ring. After a disappointing performance (22/36 239 Pass Yards 0 TD's 2 INT's) against a tough Ravens Defense, he will need to play his best if he wants to tie Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana for most Super Bowl Rings by a QB (4). When Brady takes the field in Indianapolis he will be lining up against a Giants defense that seems to have improved as they went along in the playoffs.  When Brady throws he will be looking often to 2 Pro Bowl targets WR Wes Welker and TE Rob Gronkowski. While everyone will try to compare this years Patriots team to the team in 2007, they are much different. Talent wise they may not be as good on both sides of the ball, but there is less pressure on them to win, and that could mean they will finally get their revenge for the Debacle in 2007. The Patriots will have 2 Weeks to prepare for the Giants best weapon, their Pass Rush. If the Giants can get pressure on Brady like they did in '07 we will see a repeat performance, but if the Patriots can figure out a plan to stop them within the next 2 weeks, the Patriots will walk out of Indianapolis with the Lombardi Trophy.

Keys to the Game:

1.) Put Pressure on Eli

2.) Use the TE's

3.) Eliminate the Cruz Effect

Defensive Factor: Vince Wilfork, NT

-In a game that will feature a historical Patriots Offense consisting of Tom Brady, Wes Welker, and Rob Gronkowski, the X Factor of the game may be on defense.  Defensive Tackle Vince Wilfork will be the X Factor in this game. Wilfork has created havoc this year even as he enters his 30's, and will create alot of inside pressure on Eli Manning. Not only will Wilfork put pressure on Eli but if the game comes down to a FG, Wilfork has shown the ability to break through the line and knock the ball down. As much as the Patriots need Tom Brady to do well, Pressure is key and if the Patriots want Eli to feel the heat, they will need an Inside Rush from Vince Wilfork.

When New York has the Ball: 

-As the New York Giants prepare for their rematch against the New England Patriots, they will be preparing to take on a Patriots Secondary that ranked 31st in the League against the Pass. Eli Manning will look to exploit a weak secondary by using his terrific weapons. Against a tough 49ers Defense, Victor Cruz used the middle of the field to go for  10 Receptions 142 Receiving Yards (8 of those Catches coming in the 1st half. If the Patriots choose to double Victor Cruz they will leave another star WR Hakeem Nicks open for big plays. The Giants Passing Offense provides a lot of options for Eli to throw to, and will cause problems for the Patriots Secondary. The Passing Game isn't the only asset the Giants have, they also have a running game that has been rejuvenated in the playoffs. They use a rotation between Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. Bradshaw serves as the more elusive back and is an asset in the Passing Game, while Jacobs is a bowling ball who will use his power to run over any defender in his path. The New York Giants may not be the best in the NFL and while Eli Manning may not be as talented as Tom Brady, with the weapons he has around him and going against a weak Patriots Secondary, all lead to one conclusion. The New York Giants are going to put up a lot of points, it's just a question of how many will be enough.

If Eli Manning wins Super Bowl XLVI should he go down
as a better QB then his brother?

Keys to the Game:

1.) Unleash Eli Manning

2.) Double Rob Gronkowski

3.) Create Pressure

Defensive Factor: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE

- The X-Factor and All Pro of this Giants Defense is second year man Jason Pierre Paul. The electrifying Pass Rusher out of South Florida was simply dominant this year posting eye popping numbers (86 Tackles, 2 FF, 16.5 Sacks, 1 Blocked FG). JPP will present a nightmare for the Patriots Offensive Line with his ability to get after the QB. If Pierre Paul can find his way into the backfield often, Brady will have little time to throw and will be forced into early INT's If the Giants want to repeat their 2007 Season, the key to the game will be getting after the QB, and Pierre Paul is one of the best in the league at doing that.

Prediction: Giants 31

                    Patriots: 28

-I believe that the New York Giants will beat the New England Patriots (again) and win Super Bowl XLVI. Only 4 years after their last Super Bowl match up, a lot of comparisons and memories will be drawn. But this is a much different game then it was then. Eli Manning is a much better QB, he has more weapons to throw to and the Patriots Defense is at an All Time low. There is no denying that Tom Brady will have a great game (3 TD's 312 Yards). What I think this game will come down to is the Patriots Defense and their lack of ability to stop Eli Manning. I think Manning will have time to throw, and should pick apart this Patriots Secondary. The New York Giants will be Super Bowl Champions, and it will be 2007 all over again (just don't expect another David Tyree type catch)

MVP: Eli Manning

-The New York Giants are going to be Super Bowl Champions and with his 3 TD 365 Yard Performance Eli Manning will be the runaway MVP. After winning his second Super Bowl Ring and being named MVP for the 2nd time, the questions about Eli vs. Peyton will be set aside. Eli Manning will have won 2 Super Bowls in less time then it took Peyton to win 1. The statistics aside this game comes down to rings and Eli will have 2. 

NFL Playoffs: NFC/AFC Championship Preview

#4 New York Giants vs. #2 San Francisco 49ers
Date: Sunday, January 22nd 2012, 6:30 EST (FOX)
Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
Previous Meeting(s): 49ers 27 Giants 20

Alex Smith busted the "Bust" Label with his impressive
playoff win and late game heroics

When San Francisco has the Ball:     
-We thought that all the 49ers could do was run the football, run out the clock and Alex Smith was merely a "Game Manager". We were wrong Alex Smith can throw the football and he showed that the 49ers can match high scoring offenses. Saturday against the Saints, Smith threw for 299 Yards and 3 Pass TD's and added  a 28 yard Rush TD as well. His favorite target is Vernon Davis who unleashed against the Saints for 180 Receiving Yards and 2 TD's, including one to win the game. Even without the Passing game the 49ers have Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter to rely on, and both backs can break a long run at any time. When the 49ers take the field against the Giants expect them to use the run often against the Giants 19th ranked Rush Defense, and that will wear down the Giants defense and enable the 49ers to pass later in the game.

Keys to the Game:
1.) Get Pressure on Eli
2.) Hold onto the football
3.) In Vernon Davis we trust

The Giants are getting hot, but if they want to make it back
to the Super Bowl they will have to beat a Elite 49ers Defense

When New York has the Ball: 
-The New York Giants are burning hot right now, after running over the Falcons in the Wild Card Round, they went to the air against the Packers and found success often. Eli Manning went off for 330 Yards with 3 TD's and only 1 INT. 2 of those TD's came on big plays to Hakeem Nicks  (165 Receiving Yards 2 TD's). The Giants were nearly perfect when they went to the air, but they didn't find as much success on the ground until later in the 4th Quarter when the game was in hand.. Against the 49ers No.1 Ranked Rushing Defense, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw aren't likely to find much success. If the Giants can't establish the run the pressure will be on Eli Manning to win this game. Manning has already proven he was Elite, now he has to do it again if he wants to make it to his 2nd Super Bowl

Keys to the Game:
1.) Create Pressure
2.) Use the Middle of the Field
3.) Give Eli time.

Prediction: Giants 27
                   49ers 24

#2 Baltimore Ravens vs. #1 New England Patriots
Date: Sunday, January 22nd 2012, 3:00 EST (CBS)
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts
Previous Meeting(s): None

When New England has the Ball:

At this point it doesn't matter who is going against Tom Brady,
he just can't be stopped

-There is only one word to describe Tom Brady "MVP" and he proved it once again against the Broncos. Brady tied a Playoff Record with 6 TD Passes and 363 Yards. Rob Gronkowski caught 10 passes for 145 Yards and 3 TD's continuing his record breaking 2011 season. The Patriots also changed things up in the running game as TE Aaron Hernandez carried it 5 times for 61 yards. The Patriots will now face a tough test as they take on a veteran Ravens Defense who rank 4th against the Pass (196 YPG) and 2nd against the Run (92 YPG). The Patriots will be playing at home which will give them an extra advantage, but they are in for a difficult task.


Keys to the Game:
1.) Make Flacco Throw
2.) Use the Gronk Monster
3.) Keep 8 in the Box

The key for the Ravens will be defense, and even
at the age of 33, Reed is still the key to stopping Brady

When Baltimore has the Ball:
The Baltimore Ravens are well known for their great defense, but their offense isn't always "eye-popping". They are led by Pro Bowl Ray Rice (2,068 Total Yards 15 TD's). Rice is the Ravens Swiss Army Knife on Offense. He has become one of Joe Flaccos' favorite targets. Even if Rice is blocking, Flacco does have other options. WR Anquan Boldin (57 Catches 887 Yards 3 TD's) and rookie WR Torrey Smith (50 Catches 841 Yards 7 TD's). Unfortunately, the Ravens don't give the ball to Rice nearly as much as they should, and they instead rely upon QB Joe Flacco. When the Ravens take on the 31st ranked Pass Defense it may seem like a cushy match up, but the Patriots are a very opportunistic defense creating 34 Turnovers (23 INT's 11 FF's). If the Ravens want to knock off the Patriots and make their first trip to the Super Bowl since 2000.

Keys to the Game:

1.) Put Pressure on Brady

2.) Establish the Run

3.) Create Early Turnovers

Prediction:  Patriots 31
                    Ravens 17