Super Bowl XLII--N.E Patriots vs N.Y. Giants

By Scott BurgessSuper Bowl XLII has been decided. The N.E. Patriots and the N.Y. Giants will make their way to Arizona's, University of Phoenix Stadium, to play in the biggest sporting event in the world.

These two last met up in Week 17 when the Patriots hosted the Giants, at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots were 10-point favorites to beat the Giants and the over/under was set at 46.5. The final score was 38-35. The Pats failed to cash in on the spread, but managed to get the OVER 46.5 posted total.

Heading into the locker room at half time the Giants had a 21-16 lead. At the start of the 3rd quarter the Giants QB Eli Manning connected with WR Plaxico Burress to give the Giants a commanding 28-16 lead. It looked like the Giants might be able to ruin the Pats chances at a perfect season. But this is the Pats were dealing with here. QB Tom Brady then took over and went on a 14-0 run to take a 38-28 lead late in the 4th quarter. The Pats defense allowed the Giants a TD, but it wasn't to be as the Pats got the win and continued on their perfect season.

Now the Giants will be looking for REVENGE! The Giants 4th ranked RUSH game will have to take advantage of the Pats 9th ranked RUSH defense. RB Brandon Jacobs and RB Ahmad Bradshaw ran for a combined 130 YDS with 2 TD, while their defense held the Packers to just 29 YDS. The combination of QB Eli Manning and WR Plaxico Burress proved to be very successful. He had 11 REC for 154 YDS and he made some outstanding catches that were must catch plays. Their defense will have to be on the ball going up against the #1 offense EVER and the Giants 11th ranked PASS defense is going to have to play their best.

The Patriots have so many offensive weapons that it confuses their opponents defense. They're ranked 1st in TOT YDS, PASS YDS and PPG. One thing not at the top of the list for the Pats is their 13th ranked RUSH game. RB Laurence Maroney had 25 ATT for 122 YDS against the Chargers 16th ranked RUSH defense. They'll have to be better against a tough Giants defense. The Pats are 10-0 on the road and the Giants are 10-1 on the road.

Bottom Line: The Patriots will get the perfect season, something that hasn't been done since 1972, but i don't think they'll get the spread.