NFL 2011: Super Bowl XLVI




Over/Under

Sunday, February 5

N.Y. Giants 27, New England (-3) 2454



BetsOutrATSO/UWeight
Last Week: 0-01-10-21-1
Total: 4-4179-83131-123-8140-119-31616
Winners: 15-2
Losers: 11-6



Games marked in bold are my money games. These are games that I'd place money on if I had the choice, and if I didn't have shit luck. We'll see how I do throughout the year.

This isn't the game four years ago. The Patriot offense is much more balanced, and the Giants defensive line isn't what it was. Any comparisons are moot.

The game is still a great matchup however. Both teams should be able to move the ball well. The Giants simply have no one to cover Rob Gronkowski or Aaron Hernandez, as the Niners demonstrated last week with Vernon Davis. Sure, their pass rush is among the best in the league, but so is the Patriot offensive line. They'll get a sack or two, but Brady will be able to put together a few successful drives.

The Giants offense is simply a mismatch for the Patriot secondary. Their offensive line is horrible, but Eli Manning has been able to deal with it all year, and today should be no exception. The combination of Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham will be too difficult a task for the scheming Bill Belichick to handle.

So with all the even matchups, two things tip the scales (for me) in favor of the Giants. First of all, they haven't turned the ball over since Week 16. (That's four games.) Second, their ability to score in the clutch has proven them winners all year. They simply have the ability to score quicker than the Patriots, and that will prove to be the difference in the game.

MVP: Hakeem Nicks

Check out previous picks...including preseason predictions.