Until last night, I really felt that the
Giants had a shot at this. But couple new Spygate rumors with a ton of other overriding factors, and I have no choice but to go with the
Patriots. There are so many reasons to pick New England in this game that it's not even funny: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick's ridiculous playoff records, for one, the
Patriots experience in big games, in the playoffs, and under immense media pressure is another, the game being played on a fast track in Arizona instead of the freezing Northeast, and, finally, Eli Manning's penchant (before his recent playoff hot-streak) of melting down in big games. For me, the new Spygate story is the deciding factor. It's crazy to think that the sort of cheating scandal and allegations that would horribly distract and deter any other team the night before the biggest game of the year (and, quite possibly, of their lives) will probably be exactly what the
Patriots need to ignite and inspire them once more. All season long, the
Patriots have responded to media criticism and cheating accusations by kicking the crap out of just about every team they have played. For this reason, New England should be hungry and angry when they take the field tonight, even more so than normal. I look for them to come out in three and four wide-receiver sets, throwing it downfield, and trying to get ahead early. In particular, hitting Wes Welker underneath, and Randy Moss or Donte Stallworth deep. Then expect Laurence Maroney to carry the ball a ton, as he has been doing the last few playoff games. I could see him chewing off 80-100 total yards by the time this game's over. In recent Super Bowls, it's been a noticeable trend for one quarterback to play outstanding, while the other completely breaks down (think Grossman, McNabb, Rich Gannon, even Kerry Collins). Who do you think is more likely to choke in this, the biggest of all big games: Eli Manning or Tom Brady? The answer should be obvious. I'm thinking Brady, sore ankle and all, will toss two or three touchdown passes, while Eli will have two or three picks. If that's the case, the
Patriots are gonna roll, big, 45-24. Late Sunday night, somewhere inside a hotel bar in Scottsdale, Mercury Morris will shed a single tear into his double-scotch, mirroring the image of the Crying Indian commercial from Earth Day 1971. For no longer will his 1972
Dolphins be the only undefeated team in NFL history.
