Liver's Super Bowl Pick: Giants to Cover, Patriots to Win

I have to be honest: I hate both teams for different reasons so finding a team to root for will be a challenge.

Either way, by the end of the night I’m going to be drunk and depressed so what the hell difference does it make? 

Of course it goes without saying that the following pick against the spread is for recreational use only. Only Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Kiefer Sutherland, Roger Goodell and Travis Henry's nine kids and nine mommas would be drunk enough to question the Esteemed Liver's picks.

Overall 2007 Playoff Record: 5-4-1 

Sunday, February 3, 2008 

Super Bowl XLII

New England Patriots vs. New York Giants (+12) 

The Giants are coming in with confidence after nailing both Dallas and Green Bay on the road. No doubt their narrow loss to the Patriots in Week 17 provided this team with an energy boost that you don’t see often. Three road playoff games, three wins. That’s impressive and, OH GOD, I’m actually going to give Eli Manning some credit.Their pass rush, which led the NFL in sacks, got to Brady in their regular season game by rushing four and leaving seven in coverage.

They will no doubt try and duplicate their performance from that game. On offense, the Giants can beat you by running or passing, and Eli Manning has not made a costly mistake yet in the playoffs.  

Then you have the undefeated Patriots. My feelings towards their coach is often lamented and is now legendary Bleacher Report lore. I don’t care for Belichick much. Love them or hate them, you gotta respect them, and certainly Vegas has with the one-sided point spread. How effective will a dinged up Giants’ secondary be dealing with Randy Moss and Wes Welker?

In the end, the game will come down to Tom Brady’s injured ankle. If it’s a non issue and the offensive line protects him, then the Patriots will win easily. If the Giants can knock him around a little, they have the arrogance and the talent to keep it close into the fourth quarter. Honestly though, how can you not pick the Patriots to win?

Pick: Giants to cover, but Patriots straight up.