My Super Bowl XLII Prediction
Alright, after 18 games and 18 wins, the Patriots have one more test to be acclaimed the best NFL team of all time. Who stands in their way? The New York Giants.
The fact that the Giants made the Super Bowl only shows how weak the NFC really is. Sure, the Giants have played great since they met the Patriots in week 17, but are they really the best team in the entire conference? I respect how they've played in the playoffs and going on the road to beat the #4 seed, the #1 seed and the #2 seed is great, but despite all that, the Giants really don't pose a threat to the mighty Patriots.
The Patriots have everything going for them. 18-0. They beat all the best teams in the NFL this year. They have one of the best coaches ever. They have one of the best quarterbacks ever. They have a great offensive line. They have, as a collective group, one of the best receiving groups ever. They have one of the best wide receivers ever. They have arguably the best slot receiver playing in the NFL today. And many other great things I could mention.
Sure, there have been great offensive in the past that have hit a brick wall and stumbled - just look at what the Patriots did to the amazing Rams offense back in 2002. But this Patriots team can only be slowed down, it's impossible - at least for any defense in the NFL today - to completely shut down this offense. They have too much. Brady, Maroney, Faulk, Evans, Moss, Welker, Stallworth, Gaffney, Watson, K. Brady, and even Kelley Washington and Troy Brown should they need them. All of that being orchestrated by a great coaching staff behind a great offensive line. Even if someone were able to shut them down, they would - just as they have all year - change their style to exploit the weaknesses of their opponent.
So, let's look specifically at this Super Bowl game. When the Giants have the ball on offense, I think they will have decent success and score some points. The Patriots defense is relatively good, but can allow yardage in big chunks. They have been forunate to bear down in the red zone, but all it takes is one play by an offense to turn 3 into 7. I think the Giants will be able to have some nice drives and punch them in. The Patriots don't get enough pressure on the quarterback to disrupt Manning. Unless the Patriots go back to the aggressive, physical, and deceptive force they were back in the early 2000's, they won't be very effective today.
It really won't matter too much though, because the Patriots are rested, healthy, and playing in great conditions. Even in the Giants score a good amount of points, the Patriots will be basically unstoppable, so it will just be a fun-to-watch shootout. I believe that the Giants secondary is weak and can easily be exploited. The Patriots should line up with 4 and 5 receiver sets (mostly 4, with Faulk and Maroney kept back to help the Shotgunned-Brady). Although they've been successful with the run as of late and probably could have mild success doing so today, they will be able to move the ball more easily through the air. The Giants are better at defending the run than the pass, so it only helps them out by keeping it on the ground.
The only way the Giants stay close is if one of the following happens:
I can honestly say that looking at this game as objectively as I can, I don't see any of those 3 things happening. The Patriots don't generally turn the ball over, the Patriots have a great offensive line and the Giants didnt get much pressure in week 17 (and the Pats line will be stronger in this game), and Eli and the Giants offense may have a lot of success, but won't score on every drive.
Tom Brady and the offense put up big passing numbers and Maroney gets his numbers too.
This game will have some big plays and be fun to watch. Even though the score will be somewhat close (well, at least not a true 30-40 point blowout), the game will be in New England's favor comfortably in the first half and on (no later than 6 minutes left in the 2nd quarter).
My official prediction for Super Bowl XLII:
New England Patriots - 44
New York Giants - 31
Good luck to both teams and enjoy the game (and food!) everyone!!
The fact that the Giants made the Super Bowl only shows how weak the NFC really is. Sure, the Giants have played great since they met the Patriots in week 17, but are they really the best team in the entire conference? I respect how they've played in the playoffs and going on the road to beat the #4 seed, the #1 seed and the #2 seed is great, but despite all that, the Giants really don't pose a threat to the mighty Patriots.
The Patriots have everything going for them. 18-0. They beat all the best teams in the NFL this year. They have one of the best coaches ever. They have one of the best quarterbacks ever. They have a great offensive line. They have, as a collective group, one of the best receiving groups ever. They have one of the best wide receivers ever. They have arguably the best slot receiver playing in the NFL today. And many other great things I could mention.
Sure, there have been great offensive in the past that have hit a brick wall and stumbled - just look at what the Patriots did to the amazing Rams offense back in 2002. But this Patriots team can only be slowed down, it's impossible - at least for any defense in the NFL today - to completely shut down this offense. They have too much. Brady, Maroney, Faulk, Evans, Moss, Welker, Stallworth, Gaffney, Watson, K. Brady, and even Kelley Washington and Troy Brown should they need them. All of that being orchestrated by a great coaching staff behind a great offensive line. Even if someone were able to shut them down, they would - just as they have all year - change their style to exploit the weaknesses of their opponent.
So, let's look specifically at this Super Bowl game. When the Giants have the ball on offense, I think they will have decent success and score some points. The Patriots defense is relatively good, but can allow yardage in big chunks. They have been forunate to bear down in the red zone, but all it takes is one play by an offense to turn 3 into 7. I think the Giants will be able to have some nice drives and punch them in. The Patriots don't get enough pressure on the quarterback to disrupt Manning. Unless the Patriots go back to the aggressive, physical, and deceptive force they were back in the early 2000's, they won't be very effective today.
It really won't matter too much though, because the Patriots are rested, healthy, and playing in great conditions. Even in the Giants score a good amount of points, the Patriots will be basically unstoppable, so it will just be a fun-to-watch shootout. I believe that the Giants secondary is weak and can easily be exploited. The Patriots should line up with 4 and 5 receiver sets (mostly 4, with Faulk and Maroney kept back to help the Shotgunned-Brady). Although they've been successful with the run as of late and probably could have mild success doing so today, they will be able to move the ball more easily through the air. The Giants are better at defending the run than the pass, so it only helps them out by keeping it on the ground.
The only way the Giants stay close is if one of the following happens:
- The Giants have 0 (or maybe 1) turnover while the Patriots are turning it over consistently - I'm talking 4, 5 or maybe 6 Patriots turnovers. They would need a huge advantage in the turnover battle to keep it close.
- The Giants are able to get serious pressure on Brady - hopefully with only 4 or 5 rushers. If they can somehow get some push and make Brady get rid of the ball quickly, while being physical with the Patriots receivers, they might have a shot and might be able to slow down the Patriots. Doing this will risk having Moss, Stallworth or even Gaffney or Watson go deep on you.
- Manning and the Giants score on every drive (or close to it). Even if the Giants have success running the ball, they won't be able to run at will against the Patriots. They will need Eli and the receivers to have a flawless game and score on almost every drive.
I can honestly say that looking at this game as objectively as I can, I don't see any of those 3 things happening. The Patriots don't generally turn the ball over, the Patriots have a great offensive line and the Giants didnt get much pressure in week 17 (and the Pats line will be stronger in this game), and Eli and the Giants offense may have a lot of success, but won't score on every drive.
Tom Brady and the offense put up big passing numbers and Maroney gets his numbers too.
This game will have some big plays and be fun to watch. Even though the score will be somewhat close (well, at least not a true 30-40 point blowout), the game will be in New England's favor comfortably in the first half and on (no later than 6 minutes left in the 2nd quarter).
My official prediction for Super Bowl XLII:
New England Patriots - 44
New York Giants - 31
Good luck to both teams and enjoy the game (and food!) everyone!!
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