The New England Patriots Will Not Win Super Bowl XLVI Against the New York Giants – NFL Predictions.
The New England Patriots were the top seed in the AFC. They were led by the top quarterback in the AFC and possibly the NFL. The Pats have a great coach in Bill Belichick, a great offense, and experience. They get to rematch the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI and get revenge on the 18-1 season the Giants caused in 2007.
Things are different this time. There’s no pressure on the Pats this year because the New England Patriots shouldn’t even be in the Super Bowl. If Billy Cundiff were any high school kicker in the nation, or Lee Evans didn’t eat buttery popcorn at halftime it’s Ravens Giants. The Pats are lucky this year; a team of dropped-pass, missed-kick destiny that slayed the Tebow dragon. However, the Patriots are not going to win Super Bowl XLVI, and here’s why:
1. Rob Gronkowski: Gronk suffered a high ankle sprain two weeks ago and has been in a walking boot since then. He’s not running in practice and won’t run, full strength at least, in the Super Bowl. Remember all the talk last year about Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey playing through a similar injury and then missing the game? The Giants will game plan as if he’s 100% but Rob Gronkowski will not be a factor in Super Bowl XLVI.
I realize the Pats still have Aaron Hernandez, but keep in mind they’ve had both all year.
2. Bill Belichick: The way Belichick coaches doesn’t work against a team like the New York Giants. Belichick is an expert at minimizing a team’s best weapon, but when the Giants have three wide receivers it’s hard to choose. Besides, how many championships do the Patriots have since they presumably stopped illegal sideline videotaping?
3. The New England Patriots defense: They’ve played well in the playoffs so far, but they’ve also only beaten Joe Flacco and Tim Tebow. There’s no way to cover Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, and Mario Manningham with wide receivers playing the other side of the ball and a dilapidated coverage team. Add Eli Manning throwing open his receivers when coverage is acceptably and it’s not going to be pretty for the Pats.
4. The Action is on the New York Giants: Trust your gut, America. Last year we all picked the Packers and pushed the line a point or so. The year before we all hoped for the Saints and their feel good story in Louisiana. In 2009 nobody gave the Cardinals a chance and while they made it close and beat the spread, Arizona fell for moneyline fans everywhere. In fact, not since the Patriots beat the Rams have gamblers truly been surprised. The Pats are favorites but the betting is on New York. It could be all that Wall Street money, or it could just be that collectively we know our football.
5. The New York Giants D-Line: The Giants linebackers have been eaten alive all year. The secondary of the New York Giants is a liability. The defensive front of the New York Giants is so good that none of that matters. They don’t need to blitz to generate pressure and they throw other teams off their game plans. They hit Tom Brady, force mistakes, and stop the run. Chris Canty, JPP, Justin Tuck, and a pissed off Osi Umeniora will be enough to keep Brady and company in check.
6. Eli Manning: In the beginning of the season Eli Manning called himself an elite quarterback and spent the rest of the year backing up his uncharacteristically controversial words. Of course he’s in the same class as Brady – he’s beaten him once before. Manning has 8 TDs, 1 interception, and 900 yards in the playoffs so far. He’s as hot as Aaron Rodgers was last year and that kind of quarterback play wins championships. Add to it that the Pats have the weakest defense the Giants have faced yet and Manning will have his biggest game of the playoffs on its biggest stage.
7. The Giants Running Game: It took all season but the two-headed monster is back. Brandon Jacobs is actually gaining yards, which is bringing out the best in Ahmad Bradshaw. If these two can keep rattling off twenty-yard runs and closing out games, the Giants can control the game from start to finish.
8. Lucas Oil Stadium: The Pats don’t win in Indy. Whether it’s 4th and 2 from the mad genius, the ghost of Peyton Manning lurks these halls and locker rooms. Fans will travel better from New York and any Colts fans will surely root against the Pats. It’s Peyton’s little brother and their arch rivals. Look for the Giants to have something of a home field advantage.
9. Super Bowl XLII: I’m not sure how the 18-1 disaster-bowl for the Pats will factor into the equation but I expect it to have a negative effect. Eli Manning pulls confidence from his improbable win against the Patriots a few years ago and I think that outweighs the revenge factor. Combine Lucas Oil’s ghosts with the ghost of Super Bowls past and the Patriots have a lot of mental anguish to overcome.
10. Predictions: We’ve never gotten a major prediction wrong on The Faster Times. The NBA Championship, Stanley Cup (in seven games as well), and Super Bowl last year were all dead on. Aaron Rodgers carved up the Steelers, the Canucks choked, and Dirk got his ring. Now it’s time for Manning and Coughlin to get the recognition they truly deserve. Since it is written, so it shall be.
