Super Bowl XLII Preview
Ajitpaul Mangat, Staff York Giants (13-6) at New England Patriots (18-0)
Author
Date: Sunday, Feb. 3
Location: University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Time: 5:17 p.m. CDT
TV: FOX/CTV
Overview
In Super Bowl XLII the upstart New York Giants and undefeated New England Patriots will battle for the Vince Lombardi Trophy, the NFL’s top prize, in a classic match-up of David versus Goliath.
The Giants had a successful but unspectacular regular season clinching a playoff spot in the weak NFC with just one game remaining. It was in this last game with nothing to play for that the under-performing Giants, specifically their starting quarterback, Eli Manning, finally hit their stride. Although they ultimately lost the tightly fought match against the New England Patriots by a final score of 38-35, the heart and determination they displayed propelled the team into the playoffs with strong momentum.
In the playoffs, the team rode this momentum in upset wins on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Green Bay Packers.
The aforementioned Patriots, on the other hand, had the most successful regular season in NFL history. They dominated their opposition finishing an undefeated 16-0, and in the process broke numerous records, including points scored (561), touchdowns thrown by a quarterback (Tom Brady, 50), and touchdowns caught by a receiver (Randy Moss, 23) in a regular season.
The Patriots’ post-season, however, has been adequate at best. They defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Diego Chargers, in unconvincing fashion, and some of their key players were uncommonly sub-par, most notably Brady’s three-interception game versus the Chargers.
Just as each team took disparate routes to reach this summit, they will be looking to fulfill disparate fates in Super Bowl XLII. The Giants will try to cement their status as a team of destiny, by revenging their earlier loss to the Patriots. Meanwhile, the Patriots will strive to complete the perfect season by winning one last game in what has been a season for the ages.
Positional breakdown
Quarterback: 2007 MVP, Brady, is the most complete QB in football.
Edge: Patriots
Running back: Both teams have two-headed running attacks with an ideal balance of power, speed, and receiving. The Patriots trot out Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk, while the Giants have Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.
Edge: even
Wide receiver: Although Moss (two receptions, 32 yards) has had a sub-par post-season; Patriots slot receiver Wes Welker (16 receptions, 110 yards) will give the Giants defence fits.
Edge: Patriots
Offensive line: The Patriots have the accolades (three Pro-Bowlers), but the Giants (no Pro-Bowlers) are peaking at the right time.
Edge: even
Defensive line: The Giants’ defensive line drives the league’s best pass rush (56 sacks).
Edge: Giants
Linebackers: Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce is special, but the Patriots have a more complete unit.
Edge: Patriots
Secondary: The Giants secondary has been more opportunistic (five interceptions) this post-season, but the Patriots’ (one interception) experience is invaluable.
Edge: even
Special teams: Does anyone trust Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes (4-for-6), or Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (1-for-2) with the game on the line?
Edge: even
Coaching: Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has done an amazing coaching job amid off-field distractions and injuries, but Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is in a class of his own, with a 15-3 record in the post-season.
Edge: Patriots
Scouting Report
When the Giants have the ball
Running: The Giants offence is built around their two-headed running attack of Jacobs, the starter since the beginning of the season, and Bradshaw, who emerged late in the season. Jacobs’ bruising, between-the-tackles running style wears down opposing defences, and he is nearly automatic in short-yardage situations. Bradshaw, who did not play in the first match-up with the Patriots, is a great complementary back, as his break-way speed and agility allow him to bounce it outside the tackles for big yardage. It will be vital for the interior of the Giants offensive line, particularly offensive guard Chris Snee, to effectively block Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, who, at over 325 pounds, is effective at stopping the run. If the Giants win this matchup, their running backs will have favourable match-ups against the Patriots’ aging linebackers, Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau.
Key matchup: Giants’ Shaun O’Hara and Chris Snee versus Patriots’ Vince Wilfork.
Passing: Manning has been a much better quarterback since the Giants’ first game versus the Patriots. Before that week 17 matchup, he had thrown 19 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Since then: eight touchdowns to only one interception. So what happened? Manning has been much more patient and intelligent in throwing the ball due to in large part to an improved offensive line that is giving him extra time in the pocket to make decisions. The Patriots will try to force Manning into his trademark poor decisions via the blitz. In particular, they will unleash outside linebackers Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas, who have combined for 19 sacks this season. If the Giants offensive line can handle the blitz it will open up the passing game, as it will leave the Patriots’ shorter starting cornerbacks (averaging 5 feet 9.5 inches) in unfavourable one-on-one matchups with the Giants’ tall starting wide receivers (averaging 6 feet 4 inches). Look for the Giants to attack Patriots starting cornerback Ellis Hobbs.
Key matchup: Giants’ Amani Toomer versus Patriots’ Ellis Hobbs.
When the Patriots have the ball
Running: Running the ball was an afterthought for the Patriots in the regular season. Starter Maroney managed just 835 yards and amassed over 100 yards only three times. However, with passing, particularly down the field, more difficult in the post-season, the Patriots have leaned more on Maroney, who has emphatically answered the call by averaging 122 yards per game and 5.2 yards per carry. The Giants have one of the best rush defences in the league, evidenced by their performance in the NFC championship game — holding the Packers to 28 rushing yards. Their defensive ends are technically sound in terms of gap responsibility and their linebackers are athletic. This should be a great battle with numerous individual match-ups to watch, including Pierce versus Maroney and Giants defensive tackle Fred Robbins versus Patriots offensive guard Logan Mankins.
Key matchup: Patriots’ Laurence Maroney versus Giants’ Antonio Pierce.
Passing: As good as the Brady-to-Moss connection was in the regular season, it has been as bad in the post-season. But the Patriots have a plethora of weapons that have made up for Moss’ lack of production. The most important of these weapons have been Welker and Faulk. Welker is difficult to cover due to his precise route running and reliable hands. The Giants will attempt to limit his production by being physical with him in order to disrupt his timing with Brady. Faulk is a dangerous receiving threat coming out of the backfield, especially on screens. Look for unsung defensive end Justin Tuck to be a disruptive factor in the Patriots screen game. A premier match-up will be between all pros: offensive tackle Matt Light and defensive end Osi Umenyiora. If the Patriots need to help Light by double-teaming Umenyiora it will limit their passing game and leave veteran pass-rusher Michael Strahan in a favourable one-on-one match-up versus tackle Nick Kaczur.
Key matchup: Patriots’ Matt Light versus Giants’ Osi Umenyiora.
Bottom line
This should be a competitive game, as evidenced by the first matchup between these two teams. Look for the pass-first Patriots to stifle the Giants vaunted pass rush by employing multiple tight end formations and the quick, intermediate passing game. The Giants will first establish their running game using their complimentary backs and then throw down the field to their tall receivers. One key to this game will be which team can best utilize their strengths to produce big plays. Brady will look to get the ball to Moss down the field, while the Giants offensive line will try to spring Bradshaw for long runs. Another key will be which Eli Manning shows up: erratic regular-season Eli or poised post-season Eli. The difference will come down to whether the Giants pass protection can hold up or the Patriots blitzers can produce sacks. In the end, look for the experienced Patriots to make more big plays and for Manning to make a key mistake.
Prediction: Patriots 30, Giants 23
