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Super Bowl XLII at a Glance

Since there's only one game left, in case you haven't heard, I'm going to break it down position-by-position. Obviously, this was difficult at times because of the 3-4 vs. 4-3 defenses that each team runs. For example, the Patriots' defensive lineman aren't going to have numbers that compare to the Giants because their job is to tie up the opposition so their linebackers can make plays. Also, since the Patriots spread the field, the Giants will probably spend most of the game in the nickel. So, I have to take the third cornerback into consideration. When all is said and done, though, this is how I envision the teams shaking out.

Quarterback - Tom Brady vs. Eli Manning: are you kidding me? I don't care how well Eli Manning is playing, he simply doesn't match up to one of the best big game quarterbacks of all time. HUGE EDGE: Patriots

Running Back - Lawrence Maroney and Kevin Faulk vs. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw: I love the balance provided by the Giants' backs. Jacobs is simply a beast who can run past you or over you. Bradshaw has come on and is a great change of pace back. Kevin Faulk has made a case to be the Patriots' most valuable player in the playoffs in that every time he touches the ball, he moves the chains. At a time when they needed him the most, Maroney produced in the cold weather games in Foxboro. SLIGHT EDGE: Giants

Wide Receivers - Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Donte Stallworth vs. Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, and Steve Smith: if Burress' knee really is bothering him, in addition to the ankle that has been hurting since training camp, then this one isn't close either. However, even if he was healthy, I don't know if it would be that close. HUGE EDGE: Patriots

Tight Ends - Ben Watson vs. Kevin Boss: while Boss has been a more than sufficient backup for Jeremy Shockey, he doesn't win this matchup. Watson would be considered one of the top three or four tight ends in football if he didn't share the filed with so many weapons. EDGE: Patriots

Offensive Line - Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Stephen Neal, and Nick Kaczur vs. David Diehl, Rich Seubert, Shaun O'Hara, Chris Snee, Kareem McKenzie: this one is extremely close. I like the grit of the Giants' line because they're able to drive block the way you expect a running team to do so. In addition, they're able to adequately pass protect. For the Pats, they've built their line for the kind of offensive game their playing and provide an excellent pocket from which Brady throws. They've proven they can play smashmouth football over the past couple of weeks. SLIGHT, SLIGHT EDGE: Patriots

Defensive Line - Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, and Richard Seymour vs. Michael Strahan, Barry Cofield, Fred Robbins, and Osi Umenyiora: like the wide receiver position, this one isn't even close. Strahan and Umenyiora are the best sack combination in football right now, and with Justin Tuck rotating in at all defensive line positions, they have a big advantage here. HUGE EDGE: Giants

Linebackers - Mike Vrabel, Junior Seau, Tedy Bruschi, and Adalius Thomas vs. Reggie Torbor, Antonio Pierce, and Kawika Mitchell: this group may be closer than you think. While I like the experience and playmaking ability of the Patriots, the Giants are younger and more athletic as a whole. But when it comes down to it, I'd never go against Vrabel and Bruschi. EDGE: Patriots

Cornerbacks - Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs vs. Sam Madison, Aaron Ross, and R.W. McQuarters: while Ross is developing into a great corner and Madison is a very savvy veteran, the Giants have the unfortunate task of going up against the best group of wide receivers in the NFL. EDGE: Patriots

Safeties - Rodney Harrison and James Sanders vs. James Butler and Gibril Wilson: neither set of safeties is great, but Harrison is still an above average run-stopper and has good ball skills. On top of that, he can still take people out of their game with his antics. SLIGHT EDGE: Patriots

Special Teams - listing everyone here would require a bit of time, so I won't bother. The kickers and punters for both teams are pretty similar in ability, but what sets the teams apart is New England's excellent kick coverage teams. SLIGHT EDGE: PATRIOTS

Coaching - Bill Belichick vs. Tom Coughlin: this may be the biggest advantage of all. I'm glad to see that Coughlin has made it his mission to improve communication with his players and he's made some really good moves this postseason. But that's like saying that my third grade science project is similar to the advancements in mathematics by Einstein. He's going up against the master. Like him or hate him, Belichick is the best coach of his generation. Give him two weeks and he could have figured out how to disarm the Russians back in the 80's. Moreover, I've never seen a coach more adept at making in-game adjustments. HUGE, HUGE EDGE: Patriots

In the end, I just can't see the Giants keeping up with the Patriots. If nothing else, Bill Belichick and company have proven that they can beat you in any number of ways, whereas the Giants will have to slow the game down in order to keep it close.

PREDICTION: PATRIOTS (-12) 34-20

Last Weeks Record: 0-2-0                                                                                                                                                   Overall Record: 140-117-9