Super Bowl Pick

  As we approach the final NFL contest of the year, The Big Kahuna (Super Bowl XLVI), I would be remiss if I didn't explain my choices in the NFC and AFC Championship games. First Baltimore, I still believe that the Ravens were the best team on the field that day and if Lee Evans holds on to the ball or Billy Cundiff hits that chip shot field goal we're talking a different game this weekend. But they choked and it was so evident when they rushed out to kick that field goal without calling a timeout and in their haste they were not set, contributing to the botched kick. I guess Johnny Harbaugh was saving his timeouts for next year.

  In the other game I was blinded by the defensive play of the Niners against the Saints and the play of quarterback Alex Smith. Unfortunately San Francisco was woefully outplayed by a Giants defense and Eli Manning, who was nothing short of spectacular. I drank the Niners kool-aid and I was poisoned. Enough said.

  So let's get to Sunday's Big game, the New England Patriots vs. the New York Giants.

  This match-up pits two great quarterbacks and two legendary franchises against each other. This game reminds me of the Super Bowl's in the 70's, especially the Steelers against the Cowboys where you had Hall of Famer's Terry Bradshaw and Roger Staubach dueling each other for the Lombardi Trophy. Lets break it down.

  In the Patriots corner as Tom Brady goes so goes New England. So far in this postseason Brady has played one good game and had one poor performance against Baltimore. Brady's stats look like this: a QB rating of 106.8, a 68.6 completion pct., 602 total pass yards, 6 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Everything seems to be running smoothly here. But underneath the statistics lies the fact that Brady had a great game against Denver. Against the Ravens' defense he struggled, throwing 3 interceptions without throwing a touchdown pass. Playing against a tremendous NY Giant defense, who are giving up just 200.7 yards passing, 130 yards rushing and a paltry 321 yards per game, is going to be a daunting task. And with TE Gronkowski's high ankle sprain, the seam routes that NE is so fond of could be severely limited, especially with the absence of a particular deep threat in NE's wide receiving corps. And with a very average running game, it might be a tough night for Brady and Co.

  On the other side of the ball, Eli Manning has played superbly with a 103.1 QB rating, a 61.8 comp. pct, 923 yards thrown, 8 TD, and 1 Int. He could always throw accurately enough with good escape ability, but this year he's really manifested that "Manning" toughness. NE's defense has gave up 195 passing yards per game, 130 yards rushing per game, and 321 yards total yards per game. To say that NE's defense is an enigma would be an understatement. They ranked at the bottom in all statistical categories during the season. They have risen up under the tutelage of Defensive maven Bill Belichick during this current playoff run. Giving coach B two weeks to prepare a defensive game plan however will give the defensive unit a real shot at victory. But they have not played a team with better wideouts than the Giants and if there is a definite weakness in NE's defense it's in the defensive backfield. And I'll always believe that defense wins championships and I know this game will be determined by the execution of these two fine defenses.

  In conclusion, what can we say here, this should be a competitive game in all three areas, with two future HOF QBs playing for their piece of history in the annals of NFL History. And two defenseive teams that are performing at a high level. It could be a field goal that determines this one. I say NYG 24 NE 20.

  See ya next season.

  I remain…

  "Big Al Notz"