Photo of Tom Coughlin reflected in the Vince Lombardi Trophy during a press conference by AP/Eric Gay
After two weeks of hype, Super Bowl XLII is finally around the corner. The Giants have reached the ultimate game with a chance to prevent history by ruining the Patriots' quest for a perfect 19-0 season.
During those two weeks of hype since the NFC Championship, there has been a frenzy of media covering Tom Brady and his ankle, a proposal at media day, and a prediction by Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress. The glory that goes along with winning the Super Bowl isn't the only thing on the line Sunday. The mayors of New York City and Boston also have a calorie-heavy wager on the game.
It will take an almost perfect effort for the Giants to succeed, let’s go inside the matchups.
When the Giants run the ball: If the Giants can run the ball they might have a chance at unseating the Patriots. New England was solid against the run in the regular season, but with their offense scoring so frequently they faced the fewest attempts in the league. The Giants will mix and match Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs to try and establish the run against the New England 3-4 defense.
When the Patriots run the ball: Put simply, the Patriots don’t run unless the have to. But, when they do, Laurence Maroney can get the job done. Expect the Giants to come out defending the pass and that may lead the Patriots to counter with the run.
When the Giants pass the ball: Asante Samuel is 5’10” Ellis Hobbs is 5’9” compare that to Amani Toomer who is 6’3” and Plaxico Burress who is 6’5” and you see that the Giants will try and take advantage of those matchups by throwing some jump balls and hope that their receivers can make plays even if they are hurt.
When the Patriots pass the ball: How do you stop the most-prolific passing game in the NFL? You don’t, you just hope you can avoid giving up the big play. The key will be getting pressure on Tom Brady and not allowing him time to make that big play. The Giants will blitz at times and hope that Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Michael Strahan can get to Brady. Forcing the Patriots to take 10 plays to score instead of 2 or 3 is critical if the Giants are going to win.
Special Teams: Lawrence Tynes may have kicked the Giants into the Super Bowl, but he was shaky in that game and shaky all year, counting on him is a risky bet. Jeff Feagles is one of the best at directional kicking and will prevent Wes Welker from making a big return. Domenik Hixon burned the Patriots for a kick return TD in the first meeting while New York will have to hope that R.W. McQuarters’ fumbling problems were a result of the cold.
Coaching: Tom Coughlin has earned a big extension for getting the Giants this far and he has done a great job with the Giants in the playoffs, but he is no match for Bill Belichick. From coaching the defense on the Giants two Super Bowl teams to being the head coach of three Super Bowl winners, Belichick is the best coach in the NFL and one of the best ever, his personality aside. You can bet he will have some tricks up the sleeves of his hoodie that he will unleash during the game.
Overall, expect the points to pile up as both teams move the ball and score early and often. Like they did in December, the Giants will make a game of it, but New England will prove to be too much for them and triumph 45-31.
