SUPER BOWL XLII
# 5 New York Giants (13-6) @ #1 New England Patriots (18-0)
- I for one beleive this will be a great Super Bowl. On one hand you have the evil empire New England Patriots, and on the other hand you have the cinderella story New York Giants. The Pats are used to battling Peyton Manning every playoff run, but this time they'll have to finish their perfect 19-0 season by defeating his little brother Eli. Little may be the key word, but it's misleading. Eli has played outstanding these playoffs, and has yet to throw an interception. This Patriots defense will have their hands full, just as they did in their Week 17 matchup one short month ago.
The two week Super Bowl wait is brutal, but we are often fed some comments from the players threw the wait. The media may take some words out of hand sometimes, but yet another player going up against New England had to say something. Plaxico Burress stated "We have guys that can go out and do things just as well or maybe better than some of those guys," "Thats the way we look at it". No matter if the comment is true or not, it was a very stupid thing to say. I said this last weekend and ill say it again, why anger the Patriots? Igor Olshanski made a statement last game, and Anthony Smith from the Steelers even went out of his way to guarentee a victory. You just know Tom Brady and crew feed off this stuff. Well, it happened again, and it may just lead to the Giants downfall.
I think too many people are taking the Tom Brady "injury" too seriously. This is the Super Bowl. I have a better shot of getting struck by lightning twice while holding the winning lottery ticket than Tom Brady not playing in this game. This just in, if you havnt noticed every Patriots player is almost always questionable on the injury list. Also to put the final nail in the coffin, Brady has been seen walking fine around New York until his trip to Arizona. Brady is fine, get over it..
The Giants defense couldnt pick a better time to play lights out. Just look at who they've just down the last couple of weeks. They held the goddly Dallas Cowboys to only 17 points, and ended the feel good story which was Brett Favres road to the Super Bowl. Sure, the front four is what this defense is known for, but the secondary coming together is why this team is where they are right now. Sam Madison and R.W McQuarters have really taken their game to the next level, and have locked down receivers such as Terrell Owens and Donald Driver. However, one miscommunication did lead to a 90-yard touchdown by Driver, and if they allow that against New England the game will be over in a hurry. Look at last time for example. The secondary seemed to give up on one play to Randy Moss which led to their downfall.
Speaking of Randy Moss, where has he been this post season? The last two games against the Jaguars and Chargers, he been held to two catches. This man just broke Jerry Rice's coveted touchdown record in a season with twenty three, and no he just disaappears in Patriots run for perfection? Well maybe thats the only way of stopping them by double covering him. However, this just in. They're still winning games. Even without Moss, the Patriots have managed an average of 26 points a game. Somehow, they always find a way to win. Wether it is Wes Welker, Kevin Faulk, or Laurence Maroney, someone always steps up. Thats is the true mark of a team, and that is why they are undefeated.
Yes, the Giants are playing amazing right now. Eli Manning is throw perfect balls, Brandon Jacobs is running over defenders, and the defense is stopping everything opposing offenses throw at them. Still, I just dont see anyone or anything stopping the Patriots. Their are two things that could stop the Patriots. One is weather, and since the Super Bowl is in Arizona, and in a desert not to mention playing indoors, they probably wont have anything to worry. The other way to stop the Patriots is the Patriots themselves, and they dont do that very often. They willl win just like they always do. I can see it now. The Giants will take a lead in the game, making almost the whole world excited that this may be the day the Pats might lose, but then it will happen. Someone will step up, and take back the lead. New York however will keep it close for most of the game, until some unfortunate fumble or interception occurs. If iv'e learned one thing this year, it is to never give your hopes if you are rooting against New England. They will always find a way to win. If it makes Giants fans feel any better, I am 0-3 picking them in the playoffs. Ill be going against them in this one, so thats something to look apon.
Since I just started this site a couple weeks ago, you wouldnt be aware of my Super Bowl prediction. Ill be happy to say I picked the beat the Patriots in August and that is why i'm sticking with them. I did though pick them to beat the Saints. I was a little off on that one. Anyways, heres to a great Super Bowl and a great end to the season!
Giants: 20 Patriots: 28
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Week: 1-1
All Time: 1-1
