Post by Gene on Feb 3, 2008 7:59:44 GMT -5
February 2, 2008
By Jim Ralabate
PA SportsTicker Staff Writer
PHOENIX (Ticker) - After a two-week standstill dominated by Tom Brady's boot, Plaxico Burress' mouth, Bill Belichick's frown and Michael Strahan's gap-toothed smile, Super Bowl XLII is finally upon us.
Here are a few simple snapshot predictions for Sunday's showdown between the undefeated New England Patriots and the underdog New York Giants:
1. Randy Moss will go nuts, finishing with at least 100 receiving yards and at least one touchdown.
Moss has been strangely unproductive this postseason, hauling in only one reception in each of the Patriots' first two playoff games. But throughout his record-setting regular season, Moss has made a concerted effort to slam his critics, many of whom claimed he would never win a championship. Again disproving his doubters, Moss will make a half-dozen big plays against New York's suspect secondary and will take at least one trip to the end zone.
2. Eli Manning will finally commit a postseason turnover.
Take this one to the bank. After tossing a league-leading 20 interceptions in the regular season, Manning did not commit one turnover in any of New York's three postseason victories. But Belichick and the Patriots' veteran defense have had two weeks to scheme for the Giants, something which does not bode well for the often skittish Manning. Look for New England to constantly blitz Manning, who will be solid but unspectacular in completing 19-of-33 passes for 220 yards, one TD and two INTs.
3. Jabar Gaffney will have more catches than Burress.
Aside from his franchise-record 11-catch game in Green Bay two weeks ago, Burress has been phased out of New York's increasingly conservative attack - largely due to his chronically injured ankle. On the other side of the ball, the Giants will focus most of their coverage on Moss and Wes Welker, leaving Gaffney open in the seam and near the sideline. Look for Gaffney to haul in five catches - three for first downs - while Burress finished with three or less.
4. Laurence Maroney will rush for less than 60 yards.
One thing has become evident this season - it's not easy to run the ball against the Giants. Although New York will focus most of its energy on Brady and the passing game, linebacker Antonio Pierce and defensive tackle Fred Robbins will filter Maroney toward the outside, where he will find little room against the rest of New York's speedsters. The Patriots will stay committed to the run, and Maroney may eventually find the end zone. But it won't come easily.
5. Ahmad Bradshaw will have more rushing yards than teammate Brandon Jacobs.
The 260-pound Jacobs thrives on pounding his opponents, a tactic which works well when the score is close. But the Patriots will bottle up Jacobs in the first half and will have a lead in the third quarter, forcing the Giants to open up the playbook. That bodes well for Bradshaw, a better receiver than Jacobs who should see plenty of carries off draw plays out of the shotgun. Bradshaw did not play against the Patriots in Week 17, meaning New England has not seen the rookie's cut-back ability up close. Look for Bradshaw to break a couple big runs and finish with 65 yards on the ground.
6. Osi Umenyiora will finally record a sack.
The Giants' only Pro Bowler, Umenyiora has no sacks this postseason despite constantly applying pressure in opposing backfields. The talented defensive end had a terrific performance against Patriots left tackle Matt Light in the Week 17 meeting and should continue to wreak havoc with his blend of speed and strength. The Patriots will have to assign blockers to account for New York's multiple blitz packages, leaving Light on an island against Umenyiora, who will finally get to the quarterback.
7. The Giants will commit twice as many penalties as the Patriots.
One of the NFL's most frequently penalized teams over the last five years, the Giants have played a more disciplined brand of football this season. But their Super Bowl inexperience will get the best of them against the grizzled Patriots, who always find ways to avoid the eyes of the referees (see Vince Wilfork vs. Jacobs in Week 17). The brash Giants will not be able to contain their emotions and will commit at least a dozen penalties.
8. Linebacker Mike Vrabel will catch a touchdown pass from Brady on a goal-line play.
Why not? Even though the whole world knows the ball is coming his way, Vrabel always seems to catch 1-yard touchdown passes. This game will be no different, and the Pro Bowl linebacker likely will be wide open to add salt to the Giants' wound.
9. Brady's ankle will be just fine.
Don't buy into the overblown media coverage of Brady's high-ankle sprain or his Giselle-bound walking boot. Brady will be as mobile, accurate and clutch as ever on Sunday, completing 31-of-37 passes for 345 yards and three TDs with no INTs.
10. Brady, Belichick and the Patriots will make history.
This game will be the coronation ceremony for the NFL's all-time kings. Brady will join Joe Montana as the only three-time Super Bowl MVP and will stand next to Montana and Terry Bradshaw as the only four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks. Belichick will join Chuck Noll as the only coach to win four Super Bowls. And, most importantly, the Patriots will become the first team to go 19-0 and just the second team in NFL history to win the Super Bowl after an undefeated regular season.
Prediction: The Giants will keep it close late into the third quarter before committing a crucial turnover. Brady and the unstoppable New England offense ultimately will pull away in the fourth quarter.
Patriots 34, Giants 21
By Jim Ralabate
PA SportsTicker Staff Writer
PHOENIX (Ticker) - After a two-week standstill dominated by Tom Brady's boot, Plaxico Burress' mouth, Bill Belichick's frown and Michael Strahan's gap-toothed smile, Super Bowl XLII is finally upon us.
Here are a few simple snapshot predictions for Sunday's showdown between the undefeated New England Patriots and the underdog New York Giants:
1. Randy Moss will go nuts, finishing with at least 100 receiving yards and at least one touchdown.
Moss has been strangely unproductive this postseason, hauling in only one reception in each of the Patriots' first two playoff games. But throughout his record-setting regular season, Moss has made a concerted effort to slam his critics, many of whom claimed he would never win a championship. Again disproving his doubters, Moss will make a half-dozen big plays against New York's suspect secondary and will take at least one trip to the end zone.
2. Eli Manning will finally commit a postseason turnover.
Take this one to the bank. After tossing a league-leading 20 interceptions in the regular season, Manning did not commit one turnover in any of New York's three postseason victories. But Belichick and the Patriots' veteran defense have had two weeks to scheme for the Giants, something which does not bode well for the often skittish Manning. Look for New England to constantly blitz Manning, who will be solid but unspectacular in completing 19-of-33 passes for 220 yards, one TD and two INTs.
3. Jabar Gaffney will have more catches than Burress.
Aside from his franchise-record 11-catch game in Green Bay two weeks ago, Burress has been phased out of New York's increasingly conservative attack - largely due to his chronically injured ankle. On the other side of the ball, the Giants will focus most of their coverage on Moss and Wes Welker, leaving Gaffney open in the seam and near the sideline. Look for Gaffney to haul in five catches - three for first downs - while Burress finished with three or less.
4. Laurence Maroney will rush for less than 60 yards.
One thing has become evident this season - it's not easy to run the ball against the Giants. Although New York will focus most of its energy on Brady and the passing game, linebacker Antonio Pierce and defensive tackle Fred Robbins will filter Maroney toward the outside, where he will find little room against the rest of New York's speedsters. The Patriots will stay committed to the run, and Maroney may eventually find the end zone. But it won't come easily.
5. Ahmad Bradshaw will have more rushing yards than teammate Brandon Jacobs.
The 260-pound Jacobs thrives on pounding his opponents, a tactic which works well when the score is close. But the Patriots will bottle up Jacobs in the first half and will have a lead in the third quarter, forcing the Giants to open up the playbook. That bodes well for Bradshaw, a better receiver than Jacobs who should see plenty of carries off draw plays out of the shotgun. Bradshaw did not play against the Patriots in Week 17, meaning New England has not seen the rookie's cut-back ability up close. Look for Bradshaw to break a couple big runs and finish with 65 yards on the ground.
6. Osi Umenyiora will finally record a sack.
The Giants' only Pro Bowler, Umenyiora has no sacks this postseason despite constantly applying pressure in opposing backfields. The talented defensive end had a terrific performance against Patriots left tackle Matt Light in the Week 17 meeting and should continue to wreak havoc with his blend of speed and strength. The Patriots will have to assign blockers to account for New York's multiple blitz packages, leaving Light on an island against Umenyiora, who will finally get to the quarterback.
7. The Giants will commit twice as many penalties as the Patriots.
One of the NFL's most frequently penalized teams over the last five years, the Giants have played a more disciplined brand of football this season. But their Super Bowl inexperience will get the best of them against the grizzled Patriots, who always find ways to avoid the eyes of the referees (see Vince Wilfork vs. Jacobs in Week 17). The brash Giants will not be able to contain their emotions and will commit at least a dozen penalties.
8. Linebacker Mike Vrabel will catch a touchdown pass from Brady on a goal-line play.
Why not? Even though the whole world knows the ball is coming his way, Vrabel always seems to catch 1-yard touchdown passes. This game will be no different, and the Pro Bowl linebacker likely will be wide open to add salt to the Giants' wound.
9. Brady's ankle will be just fine.
Don't buy into the overblown media coverage of Brady's high-ankle sprain or his Giselle-bound walking boot. Brady will be as mobile, accurate and clutch as ever on Sunday, completing 31-of-37 passes for 345 yards and three TDs with no INTs.
10. Brady, Belichick and the Patriots will make history.
This game will be the coronation ceremony for the NFL's all-time kings. Brady will join Joe Montana as the only three-time Super Bowl MVP and will stand next to Montana and Terry Bradshaw as the only four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks. Belichick will join Chuck Noll as the only coach to win four Super Bowls. And, most importantly, the Patriots will become the first team to go 19-0 and just the second team in NFL history to win the Super Bowl after an undefeated regular season.
Prediction: The Giants will keep it close late into the third quarter before committing a crucial turnover. Brady and the unstoppable New England offense ultimately will pull away in the fourth quarter.
Patriots 34, Giants 21
