Super Bowl Fever
C'mon, who's got it? Yeah, me neither. Not yet.
Rematches are always interesting, but this is really an interesting number. Obviously quite a different vibe and expectation than four years ago - amazing to think that if Eli pulls this off he'll be the only QB to beat Brady in a super bowl....twice. And Brady's head would promptly explode at the final tick.
Not to sound like an average talking head, but some good stories and match ups here. Most notably, I can't help but to wonder if having a week off hurt the Giants just a bit. I think they'll be motivated and ready to play, but there's no doubting the momentum train they were on throughout the playoffs. Meanwhile the Pats had a weird road of bye week, the Denver "yeah that was fun while it lasted" Broncos, and the Ravens - they should have lost that one as we know. I don't necessarily think this makes or breaks this game for either team, but always interesting and exciting to see the separate paths. I think this boils down to a few key match ups:
Eli vs. The Pats Secondary
The way Eli and these receivers are playing right now this is going to be a TALL task for the Patriots' secondary. They'll throw a bunch of looks and the kitchen sink out there on defense, but if the Giants are patient and take what they're given, they'll control this game. The fact is the Patriots' secondary are going to have to play some man coverage and that could be trouble.
Giants D Line vs. Patriots O Line
We know how this worked out last time. I know, I know, that doesn't mean all that much, but the Giants really gave Brady fits - and I'm pretty sure they are just as good if not better this year. With Umenyiora healthy and seemingly content, the Giants now have two very dangerous pass rushers...and that doesn't include Justin Tuck. If the Pats aren't able get any sort of consistent running game going I'd bet they use the running backs to stay and block and let the tight end duo run short "post up" routes that are so hard to defend. I don't see Brady getting a whole lot of time too often for the long bombs. Should be a fun match up.
Tom Brady vs. The Giants Secondary
Obviously the above-mentioned match up plays a huge role in this one, but obviously no one is as dangerous as Tom Brady. I see a whole hell of a lot of 7-15 yard completions in this game for the Patriots and trouble pushing the ball in the end zone (read: more field goals than TDs). The Giants may not get burned a whole lot, but they'll miss a couple of tackles and they'll commit some interference here and there. This secondary feeds off the line.
Giants Player that Needs to Step Up
It's two really, but Jacobs and Bradshaw have been the epitome of inconsistent - especially Jacobs who's a big bruiser and can't seem to pick up a yard if his life depended on it. If they can break off some big runs here and there and open the secondary up that much more, it will bring quite a bit of opportunity. If not, they'll make it tough on the passing game. I think New England will dare New York to run the ball early in this game to see how the running flow is going.
Patriots Player that Needs to Step Up
I'm going to go with Ochocinco here. Obviously "Chad Johnson" has been a pretty big bust this year in New England. He's not a young guy anymore and clearly can't blame him for that. But if he's got one more big one left in him, now's the time to let it loose. I don't think the Giants will be giving a whole lot of extra attention to number 85, especially with those big, dangerous tight ends - so they'll be opportunity if he's getting a lot of man-to-man coverage. You show me a stat sheet with Ochocinco getting 100+ yards and 1-2 TDs and I'll show you a Patriots Super Bowl.
My Pick
When you look at this match up on paper I can't help but to go with the Giants. I know games aren't played on paper, but in the NFL you have a pretty good idea of what you're going to get and it comes down to execution, passion/energy and just a couple of big plays. I think the Giants defense is quite a bit better than that of the Pats and I think that's ultimately going to be the difference.
Giants - 26
Patriots - 20
Other Random Stuff
Rematches are always interesting, but this is really an interesting number. Obviously quite a different vibe and expectation than four years ago - amazing to think that if Eli pulls this off he'll be the only QB to beat Brady in a super bowl....twice. And Brady's head would promptly explode at the final tick.
Not to sound like an average talking head, but some good stories and match ups here. Most notably, I can't help but to wonder if having a week off hurt the Giants just a bit. I think they'll be motivated and ready to play, but there's no doubting the momentum train they were on throughout the playoffs. Meanwhile the Pats had a weird road of bye week, the Denver "yeah that was fun while it lasted" Broncos, and the Ravens - they should have lost that one as we know. I don't necessarily think this makes or breaks this game for either team, but always interesting and exciting to see the separate paths. I think this boils down to a few key match ups:
Eli vs. The Pats Secondary
The way Eli and these receivers are playing right now this is going to be a TALL task for the Patriots' secondary. They'll throw a bunch of looks and the kitchen sink out there on defense, but if the Giants are patient and take what they're given, they'll control this game. The fact is the Patriots' secondary are going to have to play some man coverage and that could be trouble.
Giants D Line vs. Patriots O Line
We know how this worked out last time. I know, I know, that doesn't mean all that much, but the Giants really gave Brady fits - and I'm pretty sure they are just as good if not better this year. With Umenyiora healthy and seemingly content, the Giants now have two very dangerous pass rushers...and that doesn't include Justin Tuck. If the Pats aren't able get any sort of consistent running game going I'd bet they use the running backs to stay and block and let the tight end duo run short "post up" routes that are so hard to defend. I don't see Brady getting a whole lot of time too often for the long bombs. Should be a fun match up.
Tom Brady vs. The Giants Secondary
Obviously the above-mentioned match up plays a huge role in this one, but obviously no one is as dangerous as Tom Brady. I see a whole hell of a lot of 7-15 yard completions in this game for the Patriots and trouble pushing the ball in the end zone (read: more field goals than TDs). The Giants may not get burned a whole lot, but they'll miss a couple of tackles and they'll commit some interference here and there. This secondary feeds off the line.
Giants Player that Needs to Step Up
It's two really, but Jacobs and Bradshaw have been the epitome of inconsistent - especially Jacobs who's a big bruiser and can't seem to pick up a yard if his life depended on it. If they can break off some big runs here and there and open the secondary up that much more, it will bring quite a bit of opportunity. If not, they'll make it tough on the passing game. I think New England will dare New York to run the ball early in this game to see how the running flow is going.
Patriots Player that Needs to Step Up
I'm going to go with Ochocinco here. Obviously "Chad Johnson" has been a pretty big bust this year in New England. He's not a young guy anymore and clearly can't blame him for that. But if he's got one more big one left in him, now's the time to let it loose. I don't think the Giants will be giving a whole lot of extra attention to number 85, especially with those big, dangerous tight ends - so they'll be opportunity if he's getting a lot of man-to-man coverage. You show me a stat sheet with Ochocinco getting 100+ yards and 1-2 TDs and I'll show you a Patriots Super Bowl.
My Pick
When you look at this match up on paper I can't help but to go with the Giants. I know games aren't played on paper, but in the NFL you have a pretty good idea of what you're going to get and it comes down to execution, passion/energy and just a couple of big plays. I think the Giants defense is quite a bit better than that of the Pats and I think that's ultimately going to be the difference.
Giants - 26
Patriots - 20
Other Random Stuff
- I just read who the starters for the NBA All-Star game are going to be....so the NBA did start?
- Seriously, nasty dunk by Blake Griffin on Kendrick Perkins - that was a career-ender. Quick note for Griffin - you're a bad ass and have all sorts of potential. Don't be just a bad ass dunker....don't be Vince Carter. Continue to develop your mid range game and for Pete's sake keep working on your post game.
- I think you're going to see some odd seedings in this year's NBA playoffs and maybe a bit more "upsets". Condensed season means just make the playoffs and go from there.
- Man, Nadal and Federer can play some tennis matches.
- Recruiting....blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah....talk to me in 2 years.
- And I know I say this every year around this time - but how does one rank recruiting classes? Do we continue to bank on all 4- and 5-star recruits panning out? It's not even close to all. At best it's 50:50. At best. And let's say you can identify the top 3 or 4 classes - how in the world do you rank and separate the next 15? Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. Like Valentine's Day.
- Ballsy move Komen foundation....ballsy move.
- Man, this Texas basketball team has absolutely zero clue what it takes to win games in this league. They're young, but they really should have a big upset under the belts (Baylor, Kansas or Mizzou). I don't see how this team gets into the Big Dance - and if they do, they'll go absolutely nowhere.
- Greg Schiano to Tampa Bay, huh? Very interesting.
- And why the hell is it news/relevant who Donald Trump "endorses as President"? Who cares.
- Man, the NFL needs to do something with the Pro Bowl....or get rid of it. It's really bad TV.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 10:52 PM
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