After two weeks of watching the major sports networks run through the same questions and storylines more times than one can count, the big game is almost here. Less than 24 hours separates fans from one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, and for the sake of no longer having to watch a bunch of guys talking football in a setting fit for 19th century intellects, I couldn’t be more glad.
This post will be a little different from the previous posts in my “2012 NFL Playoff” series, as I will not extensively break down each team and tell you what I think they will need to do to win. No, that has been covered enough. Too much, actually. Instead, I’ll just be up front with you about which team I think will win and why. Plain and simple, because most of you don’t want the details anyway.
So here it is; my Super Bowl XLVI prediction.
Super Bowl XLVI
New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
When is the last time that the favored team in Las Vegas could be considered an underdog based on what the public is saying? I can’t say for sure, but I do know one thing: the house always wins, and this time is no different.
The New England Patriots will win Super Bowl XLVI.
You may be thinking, “K. Becks…you’re a no-name blogger who is trying to get people outside his small circle of friends to read his work. Why on Earth would you pick the Evil Empire that is the New England Patriots and go with the “safe pick”?”
Well, thank you for the compliment about my notoriety (or lack thereof), but I’m going to have to respectfully disagree that the Patriots are the safe pick in this game. Here are a few reasons why:
1. The way the Giants are being portrayed is eerily similar to the way the Patriots were in 2007.
Yes, the Giants’ defense has been playing extremely well in the last few weeks, and managed to shut down Aaron Rodgers. But are people overestimating the power of New York’s front four? I think yes. Let’s remember that without a couple of key mistakes by Kyle Williams, the San Francisco 49ers may be playing in this game. The Giants defense has been good, but has only one more sack than their offensive line has given up. Vince Wilfork has been a load for offensive lines in the playoffs, and his ability to draw double coverage frees up other guys on the Patriots’ defensive line.
The attitude is that the Giants’ defense gives them an advantage that is nearly impossible for the Patriots to overcome. What seems to be forgotten, or maybe ignored, is the fact that New England’s defense has gotten better since the beginning of the season and hasn’t had issues giving up points all season. The gap between the two defenses isn’t as big as many people assume.
2. Rob Gronkowksi is integral to New England’s offensive attack.
He may not be limping, but chances are the ankle will still be bothering him when the game begins.
Without Gronkowski, the Patriots offense becomes limited to a point where it seems likely that the Giants defense would rattle Tom Brady in the pocket and look like a clearly superior team. However, New England will have Gronkowski, and a debilitated Rob Gronkowski is better than no Rob Gronkowski at all.
Regardless, it seems hard to believe that picking a team with an injured star offensive player would be a “safe pick”.
3. Eli Manning has become the league’s newest “It” guy.
Since successfully making it back to the Big Game, all questions as to whether or not Peyton’s little brother is one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks have been put to rest. As a result, the confidence in Eli has soared. No longer is there a question as to whether or not we will see the good Eli or the bad Eli when it comes to a big game. Thanks to the title of “elite quarterback”, the consensus is that good Eli is here to stay.
Everything seems to be coming together at the right time for the Giants. The defense has been playing well, Eli has been playing well, and there is no shortage of Giants fans who believe that this is their year. Others seem to be buying in.
Do the Patriots still seem like the safe pick to you?
If so, please take a moment to re-read the last three points. Maybe it is because no one really likes the Patriots other than Patriots fans, or maybe it is because they took down the defending Super Bowl champs at home in convincing fashion. Whatever the reason may be, the fact is that people are leaning towards New York.
That is a dangerous thing, in my opinion. For the first time since 2001, the Patriots are probably feeling less pressure than their opposition in the Super Bowl. People aren’t giving them much of a chance. Bill Belichick knows how to take advantage of that. So does Tom Brady.
When all is said and done, I think we will have witnessed a pretty good game. The Giants may be playing better right now, and may even be the better team. Then again, wasn’t that what was said about the Patriots in 2007? A ball pinned to the side of a helmet forced us to reconsider. Tomorrow night, I think a large portion of the nation will be forced to reconsider once again.
Final Score: 27-23 New England
– K. Becks
haha i hope its a good game.