It has been another very exciting and interesting NFL season, and now it is down to two.  One is the Patriots; a team who have yet to lose a game this year.  They’re team who many are already claiming as the greatest of all time.  They have beaten all of the top teams, and it seems very improbable that they won’t take the Lombardi Trophy.  Now, they only are one game away from capping an undefeated season with a Super Bowl.

Ironically, the final team that the Patriots will face this season was the team that stood in the way of a perfect regular season; the Giants.  Many people did not predict good things for the Giants at the beginning of the season, after they struggled at the end of the last year.  The Giants struggled at home, but were incredibly strong on the road.  They won 3 straight road games in the playoffs to earn their right at another shot at the Patriots.  They came within a field goal of beating them at the end of the regular season.  The question is, can they beat them at the end of the postseason?

Super Bowl XLII: 6:17 PM ET on FOX from University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

Giants Offense vs. Patriots Defense.

The biggest issue for the Giants offense throughout the regular season has been their biggest asset in the playoffs; turnovers.  The Giants offense has not turned the ball over once in 3 playoff games (The Giants one fumble was special teams).  The offense hasn’t been terribly explosive, but they haven’t needed that so far.  But against the Patriots, they’ll need to be at their best.

The Patriots veteran defense has played very solid so far during the playoffs.  They had some issues against the run during the regular season, but did a pretty good job against it so far in the playoffs.  It’s a smart group with a lot of guys that have been with this team for past Super Bowls.  They know what it’s like, and that experience can be huge.

The Giants’ offense has to continue to not turnover the ball.  Against the Patriots, every possession needs to end in points.  Their blocking must be great, especially in the pass game.  They can’t let the Pats disrupt the timing on passes.  The Giants need to run the ball and run it well ultimately.  They must control the clock, keep the Pats off the field, and avoid turnovers.  Rely on their defense to give them good field position, and eat up the clock on their drives.  Lots of runs and high percentage passes are the keys to success against the Patriots D.

The Patriots need to get those turnovers.  If they can set their offense up in great field position, they should be set in this game.  Force the Giants to become one-dimensional.  If you can disrupt the quarterback and the receivers, they can force turnovers from the Giants.

Patriots Offense vs. Giants Defense.

Although the Patriots were a primary passing offense throughout, the last two weeks they’ve shown the ability to be a run balanced ball control offense.  Maroney has 122 yards on the ground in both games, and they’ve run many dump off passes to Kevin Faulk.  They still have plenty of pass options, but struggled in the last game with interceptions.  Other than that game against the Chargers, turnovers from the Patriots offense has been few and far between.

The Giants defense has shown the ability to force turnovers from their opponents.  They’ve gotten 6 in 3 games, and that has been huge in their victories.  No team is better at pressuring the quarterback, and minus the Dallas game, they’ve done a good job stopping the run as well.  The concern still remains an injured and vulnerable secondary, one that the Patriots exploited back in week 17.

The key will be ball control for the Patriots.  If they can continue to run as well as they have, they’ll force the Giants to play a lot more one on one and blitz a lot less often.  If they force them to play the run, they’ll be able take advantage of the secondary and use the passing game.  The secondary isn’t strong enough to shut down those receivers by themselves; they need help from the pass rush.

The Giants need to be able to shut down the run without extra men in the box.  If they force the Pats to give up on the run, they can get creative with pass rush and be able to potentially get turnovers.  The Giants defensive line must control the line of scrimmage so the linebackers can stop the run.

Special Teams.

Neither kicker has proven to be clutch.  Gostkowski was ok during the season, but was average at best.  He missed an easy kick against Jacksonville as well, he’s 1 for 2 in the playoffs.  Tynes struggled last week against the Packers, missing two short field goals, including a game winner.  But he did make up for it with a long kick to win the game.  Both teams’ punters don’t have much leg strength, but both are solid at placing punts inside the 20.  Both teams have fairly good return games and fairly good return coverage.

Key Match Ups.

DE’s Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora vs. OT’s Matt Light at Nick Kaczur:  Strahan and Umenyiora are the key’s to the Giants pass rush.  Both are fantastic speed ends who are very hard to control.  Light is one of the best tackles in the game, and Kaczur is not a slouch either.  They’ll have to contain them.

CB Asante Samuel vs. WR Plaxico Burress: Burress is the only true passing threat the Giants have.  Many of the other receivers have issues dropping passes, and none of them have the big play ability of Burress.  Samuel is one of the leagues’ premiere corners, and getting open against him is incredibly tough.

The Verdict.

I’ve picked against the Giants each of their games, and I’ve been wrong every time.  (6-4 overall)  I really see the Giants running game not being too successful against the Patriots D, and that will lead them to pass a lot.  I know they passed very well in week 17, but the streak of no turnovers is just bound to end.  (Although I’ve said that for a while)  I think the Patriots offense will eat up the clock, and that will also not allow the Giants to run the ball as much as they’d like.  I think the Giants D can get a turnover or two, but ultimately I don’t think they’ll slow them enough to pull of a win.

The Patriots win the Super Bowl.  Final Score: Patriots 31, Giants 21.

How do you believe the game will go?