It's that time of the year again. A time where the Ravens are no longer playing football and yet somehow the season isn't over. That's right, it's the Superbowl. As much as it pains me to see the Patriots in the Superbowl, I have very little doubt in my mind that the Lombardi Trophy will not return to New England in 2012. Let's go over why:
The Gronk Factor (or lack thereof)
Rob Gronkowski is an enormous reason that the Patriots' offense achieved such a level of dominance this season. His presence gave Tom Brady a big, mighty, surehanded target in the endzone, and defensive backs and linebackers struggled to bring the 6'6" behemoth down. Statistically, Gronk had the greatest regular season of any NFL tight end in the history of the game...but the post season has been far less fortunate thus far.
Gronkowski obliterated the Broncos with 3 spectacular touchdowns in the divisional round of the playoffs. There appeared to be nothing that could truly stop him. Nothing, that is, until the Ravens came to down. The Ravens starting strong safety this season was a man who, in previous years, personally ended the season of the Patriots' biggest weapons in Tom Brady and Wes Welker. That trend, unfortunately for the Pats, continued in the AFC Championship as Bernard Pollard tackled Rob Gronkowski around the knees, causing Gronk to come down hard on a painfully bent ankle.
Since that injury, many fans and sports pundits have speculated that Gronk will play. The game-changing tight end practiced on a limited basis on Thursday, but his trainers still have yet to determine whether or not he will be healthy enough to suit up for the big game. The Patriots' staff could have Gronk's ankle reinforced with tape and/or a brace, and they'll undoubtedly shoot him with enough painkillers to bring down Robert Downey Jr., but Rob Gronkowski will still be injured and will NOT play at nearly the same level that fans are accustomed to seeing. He'll be slower, he'll be easier to take down, and more importantly, the Giants defensive backs will tackle him low frequently to key in on his weak spot.
The New York Giants, on the other hand, are relatively healthy and have seemingly unstoppable momentum. They already demolished a high powered Green Bay Packers' offense, and they showed they could even go toe to toe on the road with the NFL's stingiest defense. They ALSO showed, that they could beat a team with a giant, athletic (probably much moreso that Gronk) tight end, Vernon Davis. The Giants have taken down the best offense and the best defense in the NFL already, they'll now go up against another high octane offense, but THAT will be severly crippled without its biggest weapon playing at 100%.
In the end, the Giants already beat the Patriots in Foxborough earlier this season. They proved that, even before they hit their playoff stride, they could take down Brady and the mighty Pats. The Patriots were stronger back then, and the Giants were weaker. Now the Patriots will be much weaker, and with the recent surge in the Giants' pass rush, the G-Men will be stronger. I could go into a lot of statistical reasons why the Patriots will most likely lose, but I have a feeling that stats aren't required in this instance to back up my contention.
Prediction Time:
-The Giants will sack Brady 3 or more times and force at least 2 turnovers.
-With Rob Gronkowski either out of the game or slowed by his injury, Brady will have less than 300 yards passing and he'll be held to two passing TDs or less.
- Eli Manning, let's not forget, has had a career year throwing close to 5000 yards in the regular season, that that trend won't end tonight as the Giants will have 375+ passing yards and at least 4 passing touchdowns against the worst pass defense in the NFL this season. Manningham, Cruz, and Nicks will embarrass the Patriots' secondary.
FINAL PREDICTION: 38-20 GIANTS
AND AS ALWAYS, GO RAVENS!!!(Go get some great draft picks and free agents)
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