Super Bowl XLVI: How Patriots vs. Giants Round Two Is No Rematch

Before this matchup even came into fruition, analysts and fans alike were already pondering the Super Bowl XLII rematch.

They got their wish.

But for all the comparisons, Super Bowl XLVI is going to be completely different from Super Bowl XLII. The situation is different. The players are different. There's different history on the line.

Oh no. Don't call it a rematch.

The Giants Offense

Eli Manning is a man now.

He has plenty of experience this time around. In fact, going into Super Bowl XLII, Manning was still just a boy trying to find his way in a man's game. He wasn't even Eli. He was Peyton's little brother.

Eli Manning has been in the league eight years now. He's won a Super Bowl, knocked off an undefeated team, and led the Giants to the playoffs five of his seven years as a starter.

The discussion no longer compares Eli Manning to his draft class mates Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger. Today the discussion is, is he better than Peyton, and where does he rank among the elite?

Last time, Eli Manning's go to guy was Plaxico Burress. After that, it was slim pickings. The secondary options were Amani Toomer, David Tyree and Steve Smith. Less than thrilling options.

2012 is a different story.

Rookie Victor Cruz appeared unstoppable against the San Francisco 49ers. Cruz caught 10 passes for 142 yards. Next is Hakeem Nicks who is more reliable this year than any receiver from 2008. After that Manning has the option of the speedy Mario Manningham and two large tight ends in Bear Pascoe and Jake Ballard. You're looking at a complete change in weaponry.

No lucky catch necessary.

The Giants Defense

For how good we thought the 2008 version was, this one is even better.

An aged Michael Strahan led the team to victory, then promptly retired. Osi Umenyiora was young and Justin Tuck was a substitute.

Many of the young defensive players (Aaron Ross, Chase Blackburn, Tuck and Umenyiora) are all back and even better than before.

Then of course, there's Jason Pierre-Paul. He's pretty good at playing defense too.

The kids are all grown up and they're ready to prove they should be in the discussion for best defense in the league.

The Patriots Offense

During the 2007 season, Tom Brady and Randy Moss set NFL records for most touchdown passes in a season and most receiving touchdowns in a season, respectively. Moss was the deep threat; Wes Welker was the underneath route. After that, well, there wasn't much else.

While this year's offensive tactics are much different, they are just as explosive. The Rob Gronkowski - Aaron Hernandez combo is just as much of a coverage nightmare as the Randy Moss - Wes Welker threat before it. Not to mention Brady's other five or six options after that.

Super Bowl XLII. A fast, tall, deep threat, and a speedy slot guy.

Super Bowl XLVI. Same speedy slot guy and two huge pass-catching tight ends. Not as flashy, but it gets the job done more effectively.

The Patriots Defense

Here is where you will see the biggest change. The 2008 New England Patriots defense featured Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison and Asante Samuel, to name a few.

Talented, experienced veterans.

And they're all gone.

Most of the notable players on defense today weren't even in the league during Super Bowl XLII.

New England's defense finished the regular season ranked 31st in pass yards per game and 17th in run yards given up per game. On February 5, the same defense is tasked with covering Cruz, Manningham and Nicks, while also stopping Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs.

They'll need a few good luck wishes.

Implications for the Giants

In Super Bowl XLII, the New York Giants were a huge underdog. They were facing an undefeated New England Patriots team. Furthermore, as stated previously, Eli Manning was being harshly critiqued.

Win and he's legit. Lose and he's a bust.

Four years later, Manning has less to worry about.

Win and we rank him in the top tier of quarterbacks. Lose and we still question if he's better than Peyton.

If the team wins, 2008 wasn't a fluke. If the team loses, they still got the Patriots once. Considering that in Week 15, they were 7-7, getting as far as they have can already be accepted as a success.

Implications for the Patriots

The New England Patriots faced the pressure of going 19-0, becoming the first team to do so in NFL history. It doesn't get any bigger than that.

A loss here would not deflate the perfect season.

A win however, would prove to the world, the Patriots window has not closed. It'd even bring up an argument that the 2008 loss was a fluke.

A win here wouldn't be for the record books or the future though. A win here would be for this team right now, the organization, and more importantly owner Robert Kraft's late wife Myra Kraft. This time, they're playing inspired for a different cause.

Prediction

Super Bowl XLVI will be a complete switch from Super Bowl XLII. No low scoring game dependent on one late, thrilling drive that crowned the New York Giants champions in a 17-10 win. This one will be a shootout of epic proportions.

It won't be a question of whether Eli Manning can be David and lead his team to victory over Goliath. Instead, it's already a question of, who is the underdog?

We know the New England defense will struggle against Manning and the offense. But we also know Brady will put up points. This matchup comes down to the Patriots defense tightening up and shutting down New York's offense, at least for a couple of drives.

New England Patriots 31, New York Giants 27.