Sat 4 Feb 2012
Super Bowl XLVI: Giants and Pats set to do it again
Posted by Derek Felix under NY Giants , Super BowlNo Comments
Tomorrow, the waiting finally is over. No, the Rangers didn’t win another Cup. If only that could be possible this June. We’ll keep our fingers crossed. In any event, Super Bowl XLVI pits a rematch of SB XLII when the Giants and Patriots are set to do battle in Indianapolis.
It will truly be a place of Mannings with both Peyton and brother Eli in the RCA Dome while Dad Archie watches along with the rest of the Manning family. Tom Brady revisits the place where his team blew a big half time lead when Peyton Manning finally rose up and carried the Colts to a dramatic win before defeating the Bears for his only Lombardi Trophy. Even if it seems like a long time ago with Peyton about to get run out of town for the next hotshot QB Andrew Luck, it’ll still be a great setting with big bro again lending support to little bro on Super Bowl Sunday.
If it wasn’t unique enough four years ago after Peyton had won the previous year, here he is again in an odd setting which maybe the final time he’ll set foot in Indy as a Colt. That still is hard to fathom how they can toss a hero to the curb but that’s the world of the world of the NFL. An unforgiving business where you can become one of the all-time greats, setting all sorts of records and then once a career threatening injury sidelines you, you’re history. At least according to his agent, Peyton should be okay for offseason workouts to showcase for other interested clubs.
While that huge distraction deters from a highly anticipated rematch between Brady and Eli along with Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin, the two combatants have a game to play tomorrow. Hopefully, it’ll be as good as the first which the Giants won thanks to some late heroics from Eli, unlikely hero David Tyree and Plaxico Burress.
This time, the names will be different with the younger Manning looking for primary targets Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, who’ve torched opponents all year. And while they were for the most part held in check by a stingy, ferocious 49ers D that took the Giants to sudden death, it’s been the consistency of both wideouts that should be a concern for New England. How to slow down a dynamic duo that can turn a routine catch into a highlight film? There’s the challenge for Belichick, Vince Wilfork and the rest of the Patriot D.
While the Pats contend with the Giants’ air attack, Big Blue must also concern themselves with still the one guy who can beat you in Bradym, who definitely would love to exact revenge after getting pulverized in Arizona. Sure. He’s coming off a poor outing in a fortunate win over the Ravens. But that’s when a great quarterback is most dangerous. It’s his and Belichick’s legacies that are on the line. Figure Brady to come out firing for chief targets Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski, who won’t be wearing any protective braces.
Does someone else step up on either side like Mario Manningham or Bear Pascoe on the Giants or perhaps former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch or even forgotten man Chad Ocho Cinco? That’s what makes the Super Bowl so unique. You never know who the unsung hero could be.
Will either side be able to control the clock by running the ball? The experience of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw should tilt it slightly in the Giants’ favor over BenJarvus Greene-Ellis Much depends on the lines. Who will win the battles in the trenches? The Giants boast a pass rush led by monster Jason Pierre-Paul, who can wreak havoc. Brady must also worry about Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and forgotten man Mathias Kiwanuka. The play of Chris Canty and defensive leaders Michael Boley and Antrel Rolle give Big Blue a distinct edge in playmakers who can impact the game. But all that doesn’t mean anything until they play the game.
All the smack talk, cockiness is just that. You have to back up the talk, which Burress did following his remarkable Super Bowl XLII prediction of 17-14, which left Brady speechless before a down had been played. It’s about mental fortitude. Who wants it more?
The Pats haven’t won in a while and are looking to cement their legacy. This is their seventh Super Bowl appearance. If they lose, it’s two crushing defeats in a row at the hands of the same team and a 3-4 record. But if they prevail, that would be four rings for Brady and Belichick, making them two of the greatest champions in football history. If the Giants prevail, it’d be pretty significant for Coughlin, who could rise to Canton status along with Eli, who would join an exclusive list of Hall Of Fame QBs who won at least two Lombardis. That he has to beat winner of three Brady again is a great storyline. Much of the focus will be on them along with the two coaches who once worked together for Bill Parcells. Pretty crazy.
It’s what makes this such a special game. So, what we think? I see another closely contested game with more points scored by both offenses. It could very well come down to who has the ball last. Are the Giants about to make history as the only 9-7 division winner to win the Super Bowl or will the Pats deal a harsh reality?
Everything points to the Giants with the offenses being even, except that both Cruz and Nicks are healthy while nobody knows what Gronkowski’s impact will be. Maybe Brady finds tight end Aaron Hernandez more. It’s a tough one to call. If the Giants get to Brady, it could be a long day. But what if Belichick takes away the deep ball and blitzes like San Fran. Granted. New England’s perssonel isn’t as good. You never know considering how calm he’s been this week. Almost like he’s enjoying it more. If his team wins, does he ride off to sunset? I don’t see him as the retiring type.
It just may depend on Brady’s will to win. He was embarrassed last time even though it was close. He has something to prove. That’s why I’m going against who I want to win.
SUPER BOWL XLVI PREDICTION:
GIANTS 27 PATRIOTS 31
MVP: Tom Brady, New England

