The Sports Scene

QBs: Eli Manning vs. Tom Brady

Eli Manning has played turnover free football throughout the three road playoff games and I expect a solid performance from him. However, Tom Brady is in a class of his own, going for his fourth ring, and has this team on his back (or rather arm).

Edge: Patriots

RBs: Brandon Jacobs-Ahmad Bradshaw vs. Laurence Maroney-Kevin Faulk

The Giant running backs are the true definition of Yin and Yang. Jacobs, a tough 265 pound bruiser, is a great runner between the tackles. I expect him to spike another football into the wall at University of Phoenix Stadium Sunday night. Meanwhile, Bradshaw has run well in the playoff games as a speedster. Ultimately, the Patriots need to stop this combo and force Eli Manning to beat them. On the other side of the field, Lawrence Maroney has quieted all the critics who say the Pats can’t run the ball. He had 122 yards rushing and a touchdown in each of the two AFC Playoff games. The Patriots CAN run the ball. They just choose not to. Faulk should be great in this game on dump-offs and screens to offset this aggressive Giants front seven.

Slight Edge: Giants

WRs: Burress-Toomer vs. Moss-Stallworth-Welker

Plaxico Burress made a Pro-Bowl corner look silly in the NFC Championship (Al Harris). He’ll have to again in the Superbowl (Asante Samuel) to give the Giants a chance. Amani Toomer has been great in the playoffs as well, but he is prone to drops at critical times in games. Meanwhile, Randy Moss broke records with Tom Brady all year. Stallworth is a great speed receiver, and Wes Welker (added off waivers by me in Week 3 :) ) was a great find for the #1 Passing Offense in the NFL this year.

Edge: Patriots

Defense:

I already mentioned the Giants’ aggressive front seven which consists of Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, maybe the best DE duo in football this season. However, the Giants secondary is very shaky and hurt, and will be exploited by New England’s passing attack. The key is applying pressure on Brady, or this defense is in for a long night.

With the Patriots offense putting up 50 points per game throughout the year, this Patriots’ defense has not needed to play very hard for very long. When games got tighter in the playoffs, however, they answered the bell, picking off David Garrard on a key possession in the Divisional Round and holding the Chargers to four field goals in the AFC Championship.

Edge: Patriots

Kickers: Lawrence Tynes vs. Stephen Gostkowski
Giants:

Tynes got bailed out by the Giants defense in the NFC Championship, kicking a game-winning 47 yard field goal in overtime. His two misses in the fourth quarter nearly cost his team the conference championship. If there is a close game, Tynes must answer the bell, because the Patriots will not give him any second chances.

Gostkowski rarely hit the field as a field-goal kicker this year, with the Patriots offense being so efficient. He has the leg, though, with a career long of 52 yards, and, like all other New England post-season kickers is clutch.
Edge: Patriots

Coach:

Coughlin has done a great job turning around this Giants team amidst all the criticism early in the year in New York. However, Belichick, even with the Spygate fiasco, is one of the all-time greats. He’ll have his team as ready as they can be when they hit the field Sunday.

Edge: Patriots

Bottom Line:

I think the Giants can keep the game close behind their running game and aggressive defense. Ultimately, however, Tom Brady will have his way with the Giants’ secondary and will lead his team to a fourth championship and a perfect 19-0 season.