The Super Bowl is one week away.

The spectacle of it all is quite amazing. Hollywood's finest and Wall Street's most influential. The lights, the cameras, the Maxim Tailgate party and, at the center of it all, two quarterbacks taking the stage for the second time in four years.

This has become an Eli vs. Tom Bowl.

So, why am I only consumed with the Giants defensive line vs. the Pats offensive line.  Mostly because the memories of the 2007 Super Bowl are still fresh.

Watching the absolute mayhem that the Giants defensive line inflicted on Tom Brady was quite a sight as the Arizona desert became a coming-out party for Justin Tuck and swan song for the Hall of Famer-to-be Michael Strahan.

Not to be forgotten was the high-flying Osi Umenyiora, who would not be denied his path to the quarterback.

As the 2007 season kicked off, I knew very little about the Pats offensive line. As the year unfolded,  Matt Light and Logan Mankins made their status known as two of the best linemen in the NFL.

However, as good as those two warriors are, the Giants front four has won the battle up front on a consistent basis. And now, four years later, that battle will unfold again on the biggest stage—Super Bowl XLVI.

To get a better grip on the battle about to ensue, I reached out to long-time friend, Boston native and Patriots season-ticket holder Evan Saks. Saks, who sits alongside the sons of Patriots owner Bob Kraft, gave me a breakdown of the good, the bad and the ugly on the Patriots offensive line.

Saks said:

Left tackle Matt light is a a team leader in the autumn of his career.

Left guard Logan Mankins is considered a better run blocker than pass protector.

Center Dan Connolly was pressed into duty after Dan Koppen went on injured reserve.

Right guard Brian Water is a free agent from Kansas City who has played at a high level all season.

Right tackle Nate Solder is a mammoth-but-rough rookie.  Nate Solder to expected start, but if Sebastian Vollmer can recover from injuries with the extra rest, he might be an upgrade. 

"Light and Mankins, perennial Pro Bowlers and stalwarts of the Patriots line, both played in Super Bowl XLII, and both struggled to contain the Giants’ ferocious pass rush. 

Waters is a cagey veteran who has held his own at right guard, but he hasn’t been tested the way the Giants are sure to test him. The other two are plug-ins and will be outmatched when left one-on-one with Tuck, Umenyiora or Jason Pierre-Paul.

To compensate, the Patriots will likely keep a tight end and a running back in for extra protection—a departure from the empty backfield sets in which Tom Brady thrives. 

Strategically, many Patriot fans felt Brady tried too hard to force the ball down field to Randy Moss in Super Bowl 42, giving the Giants the long-developing plays they needed to penetrate and get pressure."

Tackle Matt Light is a powerful player, but he will struggle with the speed and agility of Pierre-Paul.  He has dominated most tackles he has faced this year. 

A nicked-up Tuck could be neutralized by the power of Solder, but expect the captain to pull out all the stops, including moving down inside and blowing up guard Waters.

Saks goes on to say: "Next Sunday, Brady is expected to run more screens/draws to slow down the pass rush, looking for shorter routes in the middle of the field with (Wes) Welker, (Rob) Gronkowski (if healthy) and (Aaron) Hernandez, who are among the league leaders in yards after the catch. Pressure up the middle is the best way to disrupt the Patriots formidable offense. When turned loose, the Giants pass rush can dominate the Patriots offensive line."

So, if you are one of the 30,000 New York Giant fans unexpectedly making their way west to Indianapolis, get there early on Sunday and unwind at world famous Maxim Tailgate Party, hosted by Tony Siragusa and April Rose.

Because on Sunday night, it's all business as Tuck, Umenyiora and Pierre-Paul go to work.