So, it's time to give you my take on the Super Bowl this year. I hope you aren't disappointed. You see, for the Super Bowl is about the only time, and the only game, I go on gut and feeling as opposed to x's and o's. Sounds odd, but, it serves me about as well as when I over-analyze the game. I can be wrong both ways, but by going on my gut, and feeling it, somehow makes me more confident about the selection.
So, this year, I am going with New England. There you have it. All the New York Giant lovers can hate me, but that's how I am picking this one, and the reason is not exactly born out of reasoned thought. Rather, it comes to me via the whimsy of fate.
You see when these two last met in the Super Bowl, the Pats were unbeaten, and the Giants upset them on that incredible scramble and throw by Eli Manning and catch by David Tyree as he cradled the ball on the top of his helmet for a fourth down conversion. That play set up the game winning touchdown, and the Giants made history.
What's that got to do with anything, you ask? I readily admit, it has absolutely nothing to do with this years game. And thats where my whimsy of fate theory comes into play. The great unknown powers of football that somehow have a way of stepping in when you least expect it are going to be active in this game. These unknown changers of fortune remember that catch, and the huge break the Giants got in that game. It is my belief that they are going to return the favor to the Patriots this year. Isn't that the craziest theory you've ever heard? Me too. But, I'm sticking to it. New England wins because they are owed one!
Now, if that's too "off the reservation" for you, heres a quick thought about the game that actually deals with football. The Patriots have beaten Denver and Baltimore to get to the Super Bowl. Both of those teams are running teams. The Pats defense, much maligned all year, and rightly so, is playing it's best of the season, and they did well enough against two running teams to win. I think Bill Belichick with two weeks to prepare will have a plan to stop the Giants running game. The edge to New England there.
OK, I know Eli threw it almost 60 times against the 49ers so how can I call them a running team. Well, I can cause they are. And that's that!
The Giants defense is also similar to the Ravens. The Pats have seen that, and a front four and pass rush that they've had to deal with to get to the Super Bowl. The Giants defense has dealt with the 49ers, Green Bay (who turned it over like crazy and dropped nine passes) and Atlanta. I would venture to say the Giants haven't seen the Pats up-tempo pass game, and I think it makes a difference.
Now do you see, isn't that analysis stuff really boring. You can make arguments to the contrary on all that stuff. So do it! But, you can't find a reason to doubt the "whimsy of fate" theory. Read 'em and weep my friends...
Patriots 30, Giants 23.
