Who Will Win the Super Bowl?

My previous post provides (ALLITERATION) a crude summary of the Patriots and the Giants statistically.


Brady was un-Brady-like against an admittedly superb Ravens defense today, but what are the chances of him having back-to-back weak performances, especially with the Super Bowl on the line? What are the chances of him throwing interceptions into this defense? Can anyone on the Giants cover Gronkowski/Hernandez/Welker (can anyone in the NFL, for that matter)?


On the other hand, can the Patriots stop the Giants vaunted passing game, and suddenly strong run game? Does anyone make better reads than the Cruz/Manning combo? Those two seem to have a Sedin-twin familiarity with one another. If the Giants do establish the run, will the Pats have to sell out to stop it, making Cruz and Nicks (and Manningham) that much more of a hassle for the secondary in man coverage?


Both coaches are already highly celebrated (although I doubt many non-Giants fans would argue that Belichick isn't the more esteemed of the two). However, I do give a slight edge to Belichick, but that is as qualitative as it is quantitative. I just love a guy who wears sweats on national TV on a weekly basis.


Both QBs are playing at elite levels, and their Super Bowl history together is well documented. Both of these teams can score, but the Pats score more, and Brady controls the ball, and the game, better than Eli. For most of the season neither team was great at stopping opponents from scoring. However, they've both played stellar defense come playoff time. They can both get to the QB, so it'll be interesting to see how the offenses incorporate the run game. I'm a fan of Benjarvis Green-Ellis (he has never fumbled in his NFL career), but with those tight ends and Brady passing, the running game probably won't be needed much.


In the end, too many of the stats favour the Patriots for me to pick against them.


My prediction:


New England Patriots 30, New York Giants 26