Super Bowl 2012: Keys to a New England Patriots Revenge Win over NY Giants

With a win over the tough Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, the New England Patriots have stamped their passport to the Super Bowl.

It’s about revenge and redemption now.

As good as this feeling is for Patriots Nation, the fun quickly turned serious when the team found out it would be the New York Giants it will play for the league’s crown. That’s not good news.

With the Giants pretty much designing the template that teams use to get after Brady, New England will have to mix its offense up and keep New York on its heels.

Will the Real Tom Brady Please Stand Up?

Most avid NFL fans, whether they want to admit it or not, think that Tom Brady is the best quarterback of our generation. Even better than Peyton Manning.

As good as Brady has been, though, he has struggled mightily in the playoff since the Patriots lost to the Giants in the 2008 Super Bowl. It was these very Giants that sent the future Hall of Famer into this epic dive.

Since that loss (minus the 2008-2009 season because Brady was injured), the Patriots, with Brady under center, have been 4-2 in the playoffs, with their two losses coming in their first game after receiving a first-round bye. That’s the worst.

If Brady can channel some of the talent he showcased against the Denver Broncos earlier this postseason, like six touchdowns and over 350 yards, the Patriots will beat the Giants and claim revenge.

The Gronk and Welker

Unless you have been living under a rock that blocks out NFL coverage, then you know just how dominant the duo of small slot receiver Wes Welker and big pass-catching tight end Rob Gronkowski has been all season for the Patriots.

Despite the fact that these teams already met this season in what was the turning point loss of the year for the Patriots (they haven’t lost since), it was the duo of Welker and the Gronk that kept the game close.

The two combined for 17 catches, 237 yards receiving and one touchdown during the team’s earlier meeting with the Giants. If Brady can get the ball out of the pocket fast and essentially handcuff the New York pass rush, there is no question that Pats will win.

While the offensive line will play a huge role in that, the pass catching duo of Welker and Gronk need to help their quarterback out and make sure they move the chains.

The Law Firm of BenJarvus Green-Ellis

Every week, analysts from every network under the sun share just how important getting the run game going is for an offense. They all say it because it’s the truth, folks.

Once a team like New England gets its run game playing well, that’s when it starts using more play action and its personnel will always have the advantage over the defense.

While Green-Ellis has become nothing but an afterthought through most of this season, the 15 carries for 68 yards against the vaunted Ravens' run defense means he should have better numbers against an inferior run defense.

If the Patriots somehow get Green-Ellis over the century mark, there is no way New England will walk away with anything less than the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

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