Super Bowl XLII Preview: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

Super Bowl XLII

New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

University of Phoenix Stadium Glendale, AZ 6:25 ET, FOX

Story behind the game: Just to break the monotony, we’ll say it is Tom Brady’s ankle. The reason the whole “perfect season” topic takes a back seat during the week leading up the league’s most splendid act is the shear disdain I’m sure most of us feel that the Patriots won’t allow themselves to at least peek at what they have a chance to do on Sunday. To have gone 18-1 is nice, but 19-0 would, indeed, be perfection…And so, it would only seem fitting that near the end of their 22-week checklist, the Patriots would remain consistent and downplay the presence of yet another roadblock in their path to the Lombardi Trophy. If film from the AFC Championship does not lie - and I like to think that it does not - then Brady’s ankle is in worse shape than you or I, the presumably idiotic public, is lead to believe. Amidst the speculation, Vegas odds makers remain vigilant while the ’72 Dolphins try to calm their nerves. As for us, we’re perfectly content with watching the carnage unfold from the comfort of our couches.

Why New England will win: The deliciousness of putting the stamp on a seemingly inevitable dynasty proves to be too great. With a fourth ring in a span of seven years, the Pats would undeniably joins the ranks of history’s greatest teams with the 70’s Steelers, 80’s Niners and Cowboys of the 90’s and cement their place in NFL lore. Conventional wisdom suggests New England might struggle if Brady is not at full tilt. But recent history seems to have the say, hinting at the fact the Pats can beat teams in multiple ways, not only on offense but defense and special teams as well. Fresh-legged running back Laurence Maroney will be key, particularly late in the game, as will New England’s geriatric linebacking core against a much younger and physical Giants running game. The five gears that continue to churn this well-oiled machine of an offense will once again give a now gimpy Brady all day to throw against an ailing Giants secondary. All the while, Belichick will succeed in making young Eli’s head spin with ever-confusing defensive schemes. Simply put, New England will win because the scent of perfection is too sweet to resist while that of becoming only the fourth team in history to lose the Super Bowl as double-digit favorites is just too foul.

Why New York will win: The Super Bowl is not a home game. The Giants have remarkably won ten consecutive road games, including the playoffs, with their last loss away from home occurring at Dallas in week one. And there’s no question Tom Coughlin’s crew will feel right at home away from the Meadowlands this week in Arizona where they find themselves nearly two-touchdown underdogs. Not that the Giants are miffed at the idea of being underestimated. The “G” Men have excelled all postseason long under increasingly heavy suspicions they were due for a nose dive. But the flight has been relatively smooth thanks in large part to a revolutionized Eli Manning and a defensive front four that has jacked up the intensity. Once his city’s most prominent whipping post for past playoff gaffes, Manning is now playing with the confidence and smarts that New Yorkers have been waiting nearly four seasons for. Look for Eli to use his deceptively nimble feet to escape traffic in the pocket and find WR’s Plaxico Burress, Steve Smith and Amani Toomer against New England’s undersized corners. Ends Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan and the rest of the D-line will be able to get enough sustained pressure on Brady to make him think a little too much about that ankle which will cause some mistakes.

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Monday’s Headline Will Read… “Manning, Giants pull off shocker, ruin Pats’ pursuit of perfection.” Analysts and experts around the country say that Super Bowl XLII is New England’s to lose, thus there is no way that will happen. I claim to be neither an analyst nor an expert. I am simply a fan of the game. And what could be more endearing to a true patron of the game than the feel-good underdog rising about the ashes to stop a potential dynasty dead in its tracks. It is true that New England has the better team, personnel and coaching staff and should be favored by twelve points. But, let us not forget, it was only seven short years ago the Patriots’ run for a dynasty began in the Superdome with a stunning win over the Rams, making Bill Belichick and Tom Brady household names almost overnight. The favorite in that game-the Rams - by 14 points. And such as Kurt Warner’s hopes for a dynasty in St. Louis were crushed that night in 2001 by Brady, Eli Manning will now try to do his own portrayal of “giant killer.” No pun intended, of course. Game on…

Super Bowl XLII Prediction:
New York 27 - New England 26

by Ryan Faller
ProFootball-fans.com Guest writer

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