What to look for this Super Sunday

  

    1. It would be wise for both teams to run the ball to the left. Giants starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw who is playing in his second super bowl, the first came in his rookie season. Ahmad averages 5.4 yards per carry running to the left sideline and 3.7 up the left gaps. Patriots Benjarvus Green-Ellis say that five times fast, is averaging 4.8 yards per carry to the left sideline and a little under 4 yards (3.9) up the left gaps. Both teams play more to the pass, but having a decent running game would take some pressure off Manning and Brady.

    2. Getting pressure on Tom Brady is going to be huge for the Giants to be able to win this game. Expect the G-men to use a variety of rushing techniques. Numbers show that when teams blitz  DB's on Brady his quarterback rating sinks down to 51%, but blitzing another linebacker or extra linemen and his qbr stays around 80%. Where as his qbr with four rushers stays around 88%(NFL.com/Stats). Manning on the other hand excels when you bring a DB on a blitz his qbr is 68% and when you bring a line backer 71%.

    3. The Patriots have given up the most twenty yard plays this season eighty nine of them. Most teams throw outside the numbers near the sidelines. They have seventeen interceptions when you throw inside and only six outside. The secondary has also given up a total of  seventeen -thirty plus yard plays the worst in the NFL. So look to see if Manning plays by the numbers and if he goes for the long ball.

    4. There has been twelve super bowl rematches(nfl.com/stats), with the looser of the first game winning fifty eight percent of the time, or seven out of the twelve. So the numbers favor the patriots, maybe that's why Vegas has them winning.

    5. Both the G-men and the Pats are horrendous tackling team. With the Giants giving up one thousand seven hundred thirty two yards after the catch, sixteenth in the league. The patriots are giving up one thousand eight hundred seven eight yards after the catch, they were twenty-first in the league. no team has ever been to the super bowl giving up 293.9 a game as they did in the regular season. The Pats give up alot of yards but not touchdowns, teams averaged only 17.2 points a game. meaning its much harder for teams to figure out Coach Bill Belichick's defensive schemes once in the red zone.  (fftoday.com

Key Match-Ups

 

Julian Edlman Vs Giants Wideouts

Julian Edlman will be a very busy man on Sunday, with many different positions. Edlman returns punt's and kickoff's, his main position is wide receiver, where he spends most of the time in the slot. But in ten games this season he has helped a injury depleted Patriots secondary playing cornerback. Edlman hasn't played on defense since pop warner. In the AFC championship game he was targeted many times by the Ravens, noticed most on the last drive where Aquain Boldin used his size advantage to get open. Edlman says it's much more mental then anything (bostonglobe.com) saying'' You don't want to look silly out there.the NFL is higher learning you have class, you have to study, then your test comes on Sunday''. He admits''it's a lot of work''. Giants wide out Mario Manningham see's it as a opportunity to take advantage of Edlman. Almost mocking him saying ''did he get drafted as a defensive back? We have a bond going on knowing we can beat somebody''.  He also adds ''i hope he lines up against me''.

G-Men D-Line Vs Pats O-Line 

The Patriots have only allowed one sack on Tom Brady so far this postseason. They are anchored by Pro Bowler's Brain Waters and Logan Mankins. And long time Patriot Matt Light who has been with the team since their first super win against the Rams back in 2001. They will be getting some much needed help sunday with right tackle Sebastian Vollmer returning from a back and foot injury. Allowing them to have another experience starter in Nate Solider to rotate in. With Vollmer still battling the back and foot injury that has sidelined him since week twelve , watch to see how he does and if they rotate him at all with Nate Soldier who has played well in his absence. The Pats may want to keep an extra tight end or backer for safety reasons. The Giants have a rare rotation of six to seven linemen, coming in and out of the game. Always keeping fresh legs in the game at all times. Which has allowed them to put up the most sacks this postseason, nine total. They have guys with speed Osi Umenyoria(3.5) sacks and Jason Pierre-Paul (0.5). With big run blockers Justin Tuck, Chris Canty, and Rocky Bernard. They will all play significant snaps in putting pressure on Tom Brady. 

Gronk Vs Giant's Safeties

Expect tight end Rod Gronkowski to be shot up full of pain medicine this Sunday. To mask the pain of  is badly sprained ankle, which will need surgery after the season. Rob is a quarterbacks dream to have in the red zone standing 6'6 265 pounds, lets just say its like putting big foot out there, with the speed of a lion and strength of a rhinoceros. He draws a double team most plays, freeing up other options like Wes Welker, Anthony Hernandez, and Deion Branch, to be left single covered and sometimes open. Deion Grant is the back up safety to the  younger Kenny Phillps and Antrel Rolle. Grant is a physical hard hitting player, who plays a lot considering he's a back up. The Giants love putting him in the nickel or lined up on a fast tight end like he was against Vernon Davis. He didn't play to well considering he gave up two big touchdowns to Davis in the championship game. But the Giants have faced major secondary injury's this season and he is their best available option. Rolle is the best out of the group with great coverage skills, While Phillps is your typical big hitter and the best tackler with quick speed and younger legs than Grant, which is the main reason he starts over him. If Gronkowski can be as productive has he has been this season with 20 touchdowns 98 total receptions. Look for him to be a wrecking ball and causing many problems for the Giants defense. If the injury slows him down and he can't be what he has been. Then look for him to be used as a decoy and Veterans like Wes Welker, and Deion Branch will have to take on being the main weapons. With young guys like tight end Aaron Hernandez and running back Danny Woodhead who can play receiver, will have bigger roles. Who knows maybe will even catch a Chad Ochocinco sighting, if he can ever learn the Playbook. 

My Prediction 

This game can easily go both ways, both teams are great in the passing game, both struggle to run the ball. The Giants have a better all around defense with one of the deepest defensive line groups, i have seen in my lifetime. The Patriots defense causes more turnovers and headaches for offenses with all their different type of formations and blitzing schemes. Their has been lots of talk about Eli Manning deserving to be put in the conversation for being one of the top five quarterback's in the league. I can see the argument, and if he beats Brady again it would solidify that and definitely put him in the Hall of Fame. But i just can't picture Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick losing another super bowl to the same quarterback and head coach Tom Coughlin. Tom Brady is a true leader and doesn't want his history to show two super bowl losses to the same quarterback. So i'm going to pick the better quarterback in this one, with it being a close game. Final score Patriots 27-Gaints 21.