White Super Bowl Extravaganza
Better defense?
Going off the numbers, the Patriots have the better defense. They have more interceptions and allow fewer points per game. The Giants, however, have an advantage in sacks, and I think it makes them the better defense in the Super Bowl. Two Giant lineman, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, have 10 or more sacks this season, with fellow lineman Michael Strahan close behind at nine. These big guys will be able to get to Tom Brady and cause him to make some mistakes, which the Giants’ secondary will be able to capitalize on.
Better Running Backs?
By far the Patriots. Laurence Maroney is going into the Super Bowl with two straight 100-yard rushing games. He is finally starting to get in a groove – something he couldn’t do during most of the regular season when he was on my fantasy team. Backup Kevin Faulk certainly has plenty of big game experience and has been phenomenal catching the ball out of the backfield. The defense is stretched so wide trying to cover all the Patriot receivers that all the backs have to do is find the holes and hit them hard.
Better wide receivers?
Should this even be brought up? The Patriots have the best and most dominating receivers in the league. Look at the numbers. Randy Moss and Wes Welker both caught more than 1,000 yards. Welker caught more than 100 balls, and Moss broke Jerry Rice’s record for touchdowns. Add to that the Pat’s lineup speedy receiver Donte Stallworth and the more-than-capable Jabar Gaffney. These receivers are all play makers and have the ability to stretch opposing defenses.
Better Coach?
Bill Belichick vs. Tom Coughlin. If these two were in a street fight, I would definitely pick Coughlin. But it’s not a street fight – it’s the Super Bowl. Belichick is definitely the better coach. He has three Super Bowl rings and has guided his team through one of the most impressive accomplishments of all time – a perfect season up to this point. He knows how to deal with players, he knows strategy, and, most importantly, he flat out knows how to win. He has a playoff record of 15-3 and guided the 1994 Cleveland Browns to a playoff win – something that hasn’t been done in a long time.
Can Eli Manning beat Tom Brady?
Simply put, no. It’s Tom Brady. Regardless of how well or how poorly he plays, he seems to always find a way to win in the end. Not only does Brady have a superior team around him, but he also has something that you can’t exactly put a finger on or label. Call it the right stuff, magic, or simply exclaim that he has the ‘it’ factor. He has had what it takes to win week in and week out for his entire career. Don’t expect that to change this week. Brady will be too much for the Giants to handle.
Super Bowl Rant?
The Super Bowl is an event that transcends sports. Almost everyone loves Super Bowl Sunday. Why is this? Well, I think there are three distinct reasons. First, for all of the non-football TV stuff that goes along with the big game. By that I mean the funny commercials and the halftime show. Second, whenever you think of the Super Bowl, you think of food. Steaks, nachos, chips, barbecue – you can’t fully enjoy the game without good food. Lastly is the game itself. Football is hugely popular, and the Super Bowl determines the World Champion each and every year. All fans, from casual to die-hard, tune in to see who will win.
sam.bryner@aggiemail.usu.edu