The good news for the New England Patriots is that they are one win away from making the Super Bowl. The bad news? In order to win it, they’ll have to go through two teams that are literally designed, blueprinted to beat the Patriots – the Ravens tomorrow and likely the Giants in the Super Bowl. Both of these teams are defense first teams, whose ability to put pressure on the opposing quarterbacks is what ultimately leads to their success. We saw it with the Giants in 2008, and I expect we’ll see it again. I think the Giants will handle the 49ers. I think the Patriots ultimately handle the Ravens. And the rematch everybody wants would be delivered.
But not so fast… tomorrow’s Ravens game should be a pretty epic clash. You’ve got the second ranked team in total offense (the Patriots) taking on the third ranked team in total defense (the Ravens). You’ve got one of the best home field quarterback’s in NFL history in Tom Brady taking on one of the best at going on the road in the playoffs in Joe Flacco (he’s 4-1 all-time). And we’ve got Tom Brady, Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed all knowing that their legacies are on the line. This should be one savage game.
Ultimately, as I said, I’m taking the Pats. They’re at home, they’re clearly playing well. The sad part is when I look at a Super Bowl match-up with the Giants, I think they’d lose. They’d lose 28-14.
But I still want a crack at it.
Dont rest on the 49ers. Anyone who watched that Saints 9ers game should be afraid of Donte Whitner- that is one mean man.
With that said I am reserving my spot at the Tobin Bridge if there is a Giants/Patriots rematch.
I like the Pats this weekend – I am not going to guess further than that.
PS Tom Brady’s legacy is in no way on the line. Regardless of what happens from this point forward for the rest of his career he will still go down as a top 5 QB of all time.
i really wanted to argue Brady being in the top 5 all time, but i cant…… perhaps an argument for 6.. but it is weak and he is more like 3 or 4. Ray lewis legacy is also not on the line, and he stabbed someone and got away with it.
more importantly, i hope you are giving the giants too much credit. They have looked veryyy good, but i think they can also hit a speed bump and eli will be the eli of old and lose the game. That may be my Eagles bias, but i cant buy into that team as a super bowl team……ever.
Understandable feelings on the Giants, I don’t disagree with them. Brady is absolutely top 5, which I’ll prove if you like, and is likely best of all time if he wins a 4th.
i was saying that i would like to argue that Brady is not in the top 5.. but really cant.
After watching the games this is still the Superbowl matchup I wanted least. Maybe not because I think the Giants are a worse mismatch than the 49ers but because the Giants are confident against the Patriots.
With that said – I like the Patriots defending a strong front 4 instead of a insane linebacker corps of the 49ers. I am not saying they will win – like I said I dont like hte matchup – but I would be surprised if they aren’t ready for the Giants this time around.
everyone is saying how much better the Giants D is playing.. and trust me its night and day from the regular season, but noone is talking about the Patriots pass D playing much better. Granted it was Tebow then Flacco, they are still playing much better. The Pats Dline is getting much more pressure than they have all season, just like the Giants.. should be one hell of a rematch
Also Geoff, your reverse jinx wont work anymore.. haha.. I SEE WHAT YOU’RE DOING!!!!
Well its not really the rematch “everyone” wanted as much as Pats fans wanted. I think the Giants have shown they can handle the Pats. For Giants fans I think everyone wanted the Ravens, first to avenge the beating they got in 2000, and second so we do not have to play Brady again. He is never easy to beat and I expect this to be a tough fought game. I do like the Giants D against the pats and I do like Eli against the Pats secondary. Those are the 2 key matchups for this game.
Nobody wanted this rematch Giants fans or Patriots fans
Both of these teams are beatable. They both got to the Superbowl on misplays by their opponents. The Superbowl could just as easily be 49ers v Ravens. Giants and Pats played a close one mid-season and both teams have gotten better since. 2 weeks to prepare, familiar opponent. This one comes down to which coach has the better game plan and who makes the big plays … Unless Gronk is hurt, then the Pats are in trouble.