Super Bowl 2012 Predictions: 4 Bold Predictions for Eli Manning

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Eli Manning has earned the right to be called an elite quarterback, and he could go down as an all-time great with a win on Sunday. Manning is playing the best football of his career at precisely the right time, and I have some bold predictions for him for Super Sunday. 

Manning is averaging 308 yards per game through three playoff games while also having an exceptional ratio of eight touchdown passes to just one interception. 

Manning will look to duplicate or improve on these numbers on Super Bowl Sunday, and I expect him to once again exceed all of his critics' expectations.

Here are five bold predictions for Eli Manning on Sunday. 

Manning Throws for 350-Plus Yards

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Eli Manning threw for 250 yards during the Giants' Week 9 clash with the New England Patriots, but many forget that he played that game without Hakeem Nicks and running back Ahmad Bradshaw. 

Nicks accounts for a number of double-teams and special coverages to be dictated towards him throughout games, which means the Patriots will have two more weapons to worry about on Sunday. 

Nicks alone will expose the weak New England secondary and allow Manning to have a field day through the air. 

Manning Will Throw 40-Plus Passes

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Eli Manning is averaging 41 passes per game throughout the playoffs thus far, and I certainly expect that trend to continue on Super Bowl Sunday. The Giants and their ground game have been too inconsistent this season and I believe offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride wants to put the ball in the hot hand of his quarterback. 

Expect Manning to throw the football early and often. 

Manning Will Play Turnover-Free Football

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As I mentioned in the intro slide, Eli Manning is as hot as they come at the quarterback position. His ability to read and project coverages has allowed him to play smart and turnover-free football, and the quarterback has thrown just one interception over the past three games.

The Patriots possess the weakness secondary Manning will have faced throughout this postseason, and I expect him to have his best game of the postseason because of it. Look for Manning to take some shots, but also look as he attempts to manage the game to keep the ball out of Tom Brady's hands. 

Manning Wins His Second Super MVP Award

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If Eli Manning generates the production that I have listed or even comes close to it, there is no question that he will win his second Super Bowl MVP award. 

It is hard to image the Giants losing with that type of game from Manning, and the Giants' ability to pass should open up holes in the run game.  

There is not team that is hotter than the New York Giants and no quarterback that is hotter than Eli Manning. These two components should give New York its fourth Super Bowl trophy in franchise history and bring Manning his second Super Bowl MVP.

 

Prediction: 31-21 Giants

 

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