Despite these potential hazards, I remain calm when I realize the Patriots two greatest strengths can overcome the most difficult of situations.
With their fifth super bowl appearance as a quarterback-coach tandem, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will set a new mark for other's to follow. The more important record, super bowl wins, still lies ahead for the devouted duo. They trail Terry Bradshaw and Chuck Knoll of the Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as one of Brady's boyhood idols - Joe Montana - who each have four super bowl victories.
Since winning the big game in '01,'03, and '04, Brady and Belichick have gone a pedestrian 6-5 in the postseason. Not terrible, yet nothing that resembles the dominance the Patriots once exhibited against opponents.
Perhaps the league has caught up to the Patriots.While the league has evolved at a rapid pace, as where teams used to place a premium on lead running backs and dominant defenses, now the upmost important position is that of the quarterback. With this transition seemingly taking place overnight, the Patriots (along with everyone else) were forced to adapt. With an aging and overvalued defense (looking at you Asante Samuel), New England was forced to overhaul.
On top of revamping the team as a whole, Brady had to battle back from missing the entire 2008 season. After a subpar 2009 season for Brady (28 TD's; 13 INT's), he put up one of the great statistical seasons of all time in 2010 (36 TD's; 4 INT's).
The gaudy statistics didn't matter in the end, as New England fell at home to the ultra-hated New York Jets, an underdog, and a team that the Patriots beat at home earlier in the season, 45-3.
The coach/quarterback duo, who could not be more opposite on the outside, yet so similarly hard-wired, are due for a masterpiece. Teams and dynasties have gone through similar title draughts. Heck, Joe Montana went through a three game postseason losing streak in which he threw zero touchdowns.
Ask yourself this when thinking about Sunday's game: When's the last time Tom Brady had two bad games in a row?
Now, on to the matchups.
Quarterback: Slight Edge to Brady
New England: Tom Brady
New York: Eli Manning
Eli Manning has no doubt established himself as an elite quarterback, joining Brady, Brees, Rodgers, and Roethlisberger. He's won playoff games at home, on the road, in the freezing cold, and in driving rain. He'll throw up improbable balls that somehow make it into a receivers hand, and he'll do it in the biggest spots. Let's not forget what Tom Brady has done as a quarterback in the past, not to mention his 6-TD performance against Denver this postseason. Simply, Brady lives for these moments.
Running back: Edge to Giants
New England: BenJarvus Green-Ellis; Danny Woodhead; Kevin Faulk
New York: Ahmad Bradshaw; Brandon Jacobs; D.J. Ware
Bradshaw has the big play ability to turn the tide in games, as well as the power to handle inside handoffs. His partner in crime - Jacobs - can simply wear out a defense with his hammerhead style. Green-Ellis is steady, yet rarely breaks big gains. Woodhead has been quite solid this year as one of New England's rotated running backs. Faulk is their best blocking running back, and the teams longest tenured player.
Wide receiver: Edge to Giants
New England: Wes Welker; Deion Branch; Julian Edelman; Chad Ocho Cinco
New York: Hakeem Nicks; Victor Cruz; Mario Manningham; Devin Thomas
When New Englands secondary is on the field, halting the Giants high-powered offensive aerial attack will be a key to victory. Nicks and Cruz have emerged as two of the best in the game, and Manningham is no slouch either. Wide receiver/defensive back/punt returner Julian Edelman will most likely be assigned to one of the three, so that matchup certainly bears monitoring. Welker is the best slot receiver around, and a target that Brady has found comforting for some time. With Gronkowski's potential limited ability, one of the other receivers besides Welker will have to step up. A touchdown catch would certainly do Ocho Cinco wonders with Patriots teammates and fans alike.
Tight end: Edge to Patriots
New England: Rob Gronkowski; Aaron Hernandez
New York: Jake Ballard; Travis Beckum
When healthy, Gronkowski is the most complete tight end in the NFL. His pass catching and blocking ability, on top of his size and strength in the red zone, has struck fear in defense's everywhere. Often overlooked, Hernandez has nearly become just as vital as Gronkowski has to the teams success. With wide receiver speed, tight end size, and freakish athletic ability, Hernandez may play the biggest role come Sunday. Ballard is often overlooked because of who he plays with, and the fact that he is as slow as dirt. The Patriots, however, can't let that fool them. An undrafted rookie out of Ohio State, Ballard can slip past defenses and is a load to take down. His touchdown catch between these two teams in the regular season proved to be the game winner.
Offensive line: Edge to Patriots
New England: Matt Light; Logan Mankins; Dan Connolly; Brian Waters; Nate Solder; Ryan Wendell; Sebastian Vollmer
New York: David Diehl; Kevin Boothe; David Baas; Chris Snee; Kareem McKenzie; Tony Ugoh
I am a bit unfamiliar with the Giants offensive line, but after watching the 49ers pummel Manning two weeks ago, this could possibly be a weak spot on the team. The Patriots, meanwhile have one of the best line's in the league. They allowed one sack and limited pressure against a physical Ravens team the AFC Championship. Matt Light may be having one of his best season's yet, and rookie Nate Solder has been quite the find. Solder, along with Vollmer (who has been hurt for nearly half of the regular season) will be vital in protecting Brady from the pass rush.
Defensive line: Edge to Giants
New England: Vince Wilfork; Kyle Love; Mark Anderson; Brandon Deaderick; Gerard Warren; Shaun Ellis
New York: Jason Pierre-Paul; Justin Tuck; Osi Umenyiora; Chris Canty; Linval Joseph; Rocky Bernard
In perhaps the games biggest matchup, the Giants pass rush against the Patriots offensive line could decide the final outcome of the game. Pierre-Paul has already distinguished himself as one of the most feared defensive players in the league. Umenyiora and Tuck are still wildly effective, with this being their second super bowl matchup against the Patriots. Canty's toughness adds another weapon to an already dangerous unit. New Englands line has been wildly underrated, particularly after getting rid of space eater Albert Haynseworth earlier in the season. Wilfork's efforts against Baltimore saved the season. Anderson has been the team's best pass rusher since Andre Carter was lost for the season.
Linebacker: Edge to Patriots
New England: Jerod Mayo; Brandon Spikes; Rob Ninkovich; Dane Fletcher; Tracy White
New York: Mathias Kiwanuka; Michael Boley; Chase Blackburn; Jacquian Williams; Greg Jones
Mayo, a captain and one of the two rocks on defense (Wilfork is the other), makes the difference between the two units. He is a sound tackler who always finds himself in the right place. Spikes has emerged this postseason as a difference maker on defense, and Ninkovich seems to come up with a few difference making plays per game. When not on the line, Anderson often lines up as an outside pass rusher. Boley is cut in a similar mold to Antonio Pierce, the team's strong middle linebacker in 2007. Kiwanuka is a very versatile force, and will certainly be a target from the Patriots offensive line.
Secondary: Edge to Giants
New England: Patrick Chung; Kyle Arrington; Devin McCourty; James Ihedigbo; Sterling Moore; Julian Edelman; Antwaun Molden
New York: Corey Webster; Antrel Rolle; Kenny Phillips; Aaron Ross; Deon Grant; Prince Amukamara
The New England secondary is a unit that is often times laughed at, but I've seen flashes from this team that suggest it can be a strength and not a weakness. They have shut opponents down (usually after giving up points), and have created havoc by bringing ill-timed blitzes. As a unit, they are very good tacklers. Arrington has distanced himself from McCourty as the team's shutdown corner, and Chung brings the boom similar to what Spikes does. Statistically New York has given up more points than New England (400;342), with the secondary often bearing the brunt of the criticism. Webster has shown flashes as a very good corner, and there is no doubting that Rolle and Phillips have immense talent and athletic ability. Because of its cohesiveness during the entire season, the Giants receive the nod.
Special Teams: Edge to New England
New England: Stephen Gostkowski; Zoltan Mesko; Julian Edelman
New York: Lawrence Tynes; Steve Weatherford; Will Blackmon
The Patriots have excelled as a special teams unit this season, one of a trademarks for a Belichick coached team. Gostkowski is solid and reliable, and Mesko has become a top punter in the league. Edelman returned one for a touchdown this year and has averaged more than 10 yards per return. Tynes has proved to be one of the most clutch kickers in the league. The unit, however, has been rather shaky this season.
Coach: Edge to New England
New England: Bill Belichick
New York: Tom Coughlin
Coughlin seems to get overlooked every year, particularly in the New York media. Questions abound about whether he will get fired, overlooking the fact that he has never deserved to get fired during his time in New York. It is perplexing, however, that his teams season's often result in a roller coaster ride. It ended up working in 2007, and has worked thus far in 2011. A defensive whiz, Belichick has proven time and time again that he is the barometer to which other coaches must measure up to. Two things impress me the most with Belichick: His ability to put his players in the best possible position to succeed. And secondly, his in game adjustments are second to none.
Final Prediction: Patriots 34; Giants 31
The Patriots will win because of the effectiveness of its offensive line, and the willingness of Tom Brady. There is so much on the line for both teams, but more particularly for the Patriots. After the Giants left a bitter taste in Brady's mouth in 2007, he will not be shut down again. The Patriots will also force a big turnover in a game where one turnover can make all the difference.
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