New England Patriots Vs. New York Giants
New England Patriots
Season: Despite not defeating a team with a winning record until the playoffs, the Patriots had an impressive 13-3 regular season record and earned the number one seed in the AFC. They beat the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens on their way to the Super Bowl.
Strength: The Patriots will go as far as their offense (specifically their passing game) can take them. With weapons such as Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Wes Welker to compliment Tom Brady, they can put up points on any team
Weakness: The Patriots defense has been resurgent in the playoffs, but for much of the regular season they were one of the worst in football. There is little doubt that the Patriots offense will have to score plenty of points to make up for defensive deficiencies.
Coach: Stoic, unwavering Bill Belichick once again leads the Patriots into the Super Bowl. Belichick has already won three Lombardi Trophies with
the Patriots, most recently in 2005. Belichick is the most consistent coach in football, and will never be a weak point for the Patriots.
Quarterback: Joining Belichick once again is the familiar face of the legendary Tom Brady. Brady had another MVP caliber season in 2011, and leads a potent offense into Super Bowl XLVI. There have been plenty of playoff surprises, but it would be a major upset if Brady didn’t play well in the Super Bowl.
New York Giants
Season: The New York Giants had the ultimate roller coaster season. After starting 6-2, New York lost four games in a row, putting their playoff lives in jeopardy. It was only a season finale victory over the Dallas Cowboys that earned them the fourth seed in the NFC. In the playoffs, they defeated the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers.
Strength: The Giants’ pass rush seems unstoppable heading into the Super Bowl. With pass rushers such as Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka and Jason Pierre-Paul, the Giants will hope to replicate the pressure they put on Tom Brady when they won Super Bowl XLII.
Weakness: The Giants’ inconsistency nearly left them out of the playoffs from the beginning. Despite their obvious talent, injuries have often prevented them from reaching their potential, and the Giants have had a tendency to lose to opponents who they should beat.
Coach: Just as stoic and unwavering as his opponent Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin returns for his second Super Bowl, and the first since the Giants’
victory in 2005. Coughlin may have mellowed since his days of hard discipline, but he has continuously proven his New York doubters wrong, and hopes to once more.
Quarterback: Before the season began, Eli Manning claimed that he was an elite quarterback. Some called it arrogance, others claimed that he was simply incorrect. Manning has proven his own doubters wrong with another prolific season, his first out of the shadow of injured older brother Peyton. Manning will look to once again defeat Tom Brady.
