25 Juiciest Subplots of Super Bowl 2012

Super Bowl XLVI between the New England Patriots and New York Giants promises to have many different subplots.

On one side, you have a team that won 13 games and cruised to an AFC East title; on the other side, you have a team that needed to win its final two games just to get into the postseason. 

Of course, a lot of the talk is going to be about Super Bowl XLII, a game that saw New York upset the previously-undefeated Patriots. 

You have two Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks going head-to-head against one another, with Tom Brady looking to make NFL history. 

This morning, I am going to take a look at the 25 juiciest subplots from Super Bowl XLVI. 

25. Julian Edelman at Corner

Before you balk at the idea of Julian Edelman making a difference in the New England Patriots defensive secondary, look at his rather decent performance against the Baltimore Ravens last weekend. 

On the surface, this seems to make little sense.

However, it must be noted that Bill Belichick really got his coaching career started as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants from 1985 to 1990. 

He is sort of a mad genius when it comes to performing tricks on the defensive side of the ball. With the Patriots lacking in the secondary, I am pretty sure that the coach is going to put the player back there that gives them the best opportunity to succeed. 

Don't get me wrong, this is less-than-an-ideal situation for the Patriots.

Additionally, he will not be going up against the Ravens wide receivers. Instead, No. 11 will have to fend off receptions to the Giants' three-headed monster.

What will be most interesting is when the Patriots decide to play Edelman, who will he be on?

24. First Quarterback to 40 Passes

The NFL is now in a passing era. Just take a look at the whopping 58 passes that Eli Manning threw in the Giants' win against the San Francisco 49ers last weekend.

Usually, this doesn't translate to a whole lot of success. 

Quarterbacks that have to throw the ball 40-50 times are usually doing so in a come-from-behind effort. Nonetheless, neither of these teams possess a consistent running game, which means that the ball is going to be up in the air a whole lot. 

Tom Brady is 25-14 in his career when he throws at least 40 passes. In contrast, Manning is 10-16 in his career when he throws as many passes.

What does this mean?

Well, we can pretty much guarantee that Super Bowl XLVI is going to be a passing fest, with both quarterbacks surpassing the 40-attempt mark. 

This gives Brady and the New England Patriots a major advantage going in. 

23. Madonna

Many of my readers might be too young to remember Madonna in her heyday. In fact, I wasn't even three when Like a Virgin came out. 

That said, she was absolutely huge when I was growing up. Without getting into too much detail, my hormones went all crazy when she was on MTV. 

Too often, we see horrible halftime performances at the Super Bowl. I have no idea who picks the entertainment, but you'd think that they could get some more talent to sign up for one of the biggest stages that television has to offer. 

I do believe they got this one right.

Madonna is still as fabulous in every possible way as she was in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It should be interesting to see how she brings it come halftime. 

My money is on her bringing us back to the early 1980s. 

22. Overtime and the Super Bowl

This could be the first Super Bowl with the new overtime rules implemented. We have seen two overtime playoff games thus far, with the AFC Championship Game coming one Billy Cundiff away from going to an extra stanza. 

I like the idea of sudden-death playoffs to decide a championship, no matter what sport.

However, there is something intriguing about the possibility of this Super Bowl ending on a touchdown rather than the all-too-familiar field goal. 

Just imagine Eli Manning leading the New York Giants down to a field goal on the first possession of overtime rather than having the game in Tom Brady's hands immediately following. 

This would put Brady into one of those "championship" situations that have come to define his career. How amazing of a storyline would it be if he engineered a game-winning touchdown drive in overtime or became a goat by throwing an interception?

This is what the Super Bowl is for most people who don't have a vested interest in it: drama!

21. Jason Pierre-Paul Factor

The New England Patriots run a timing offense. They love to get the ball to their receiver in space so that they are able to rack up yards after the catch.

This means two things. First, it means that Brady likes to get rid of the ball quickly. Second, it means that the Patriots really don't have that deep threat needed to open up the offense. 

It has obviously been a successful formula over the course of the last decade or so. 

Jason Pierre-Paul, who wasn't even a teenager when Tom Brady won his first Super Bowl, could change this dramatically. The second-year player is so quick off the snap that he could disrupt the Patriots' plans on the offensive side of the ball. 

20. The Three 'G-Men' That Could

Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham combined for nearly 200 receptions in 2011, 55 percent of Eli Manning's completions. To say that they are important in this game would be a gross understatement. 

The New England Patriots don't even have two starter-caliber corners on their roster. Seriously, they have a wide receiver playing in nickel packages. 

This is going to be a huge advantage for the New York Giants heading into Super Bowl XLVI.

19. The Commercials

Super Bowl Sunday has become a de facto national holiday in the United States.

Families, friends and acquaintances come together on this day to eat, drink and watch football. Hundreds of millions of Americans are glued to the boob tube as sports becomes a part of the American culture. 

However, a vast majority of these individuals are just looking to be entertained. They couldn't tell you two players on each team or what their respective records were that season. 

It is all about entertainment. The halftime shows, commercials and so on. 

As an avid football fan, this annoys me to no end. Still, I absolutely love some of the commercials that have come down the pike: Cindy Crawford's Pepsi commercial during my adolescence, the E-Trade baby and Doritos, just to name a few. 

It will be extremely interesting to see what some of the top imaginations in the television world have in store for us. 

18. Bill O'Brien, Penn State and the "Distraction"

You cannot possibly tell me that Bill O'Brien is all in with the New England Patriots right now.

How could he be?

This is a man that just got pegged to take over one of the most heralded programs in college football history. More than that, he has to replace Joe Paterno, who just recently passed away. 

O'Brien will have the normal distractions that coaches have in this situation. He has to build a coaching staff, work on recruitment as well as engage in many different events as the new head coach at Penn State.

This in addition to his job as the Patriots offensive coordinator. 

It is human nature to wonder if this is going to have an impact on him being ready for Super Bowl XLVI. His mind must be racing through hundreds of different things each minute that he is away.

Visions of sugar plums are probably running through his head, as "Happy Valley" is to be his new home. That said, O'Brien is a professional and will do everything in his power to be prepared come Super Bowl Sunday. 

If not, the Patriots have an "old, new dog" in Josh McDaniels to help. 

17. Chad Ochocinco Riding Coattails

Chad Ochocinco has had an amazing NFL career to this point, with nearly 800 receptions and over 11,000 yards.

However, his teams haven't had much success over the duration of his career. This probably has to do with the fact that he spent the first decade of this career with the Cincinnati Bengals. 

When the Patriots traded for Ochocinco in the offseason, many expected him to be a major contributor in a Super Bowl run. 

It hasn't happened. 

Lost in an offense with more weapons and looking relatively slow, Ochocinco has seen his production drop to the lowest levels of his stellar career: 15 receptions, 276 yards and one touchdown.

Has he earned this opportunity at a first Super Bowl ring?

Many will say no!

That said, Ochocinco's body of work throughout his career has led me to believe he does deserve it. Either way, it will be interesting to see if he produces in the Super Bowl.

If so, that would be an amazing story. 

16. Ravens and 49ers: What Could Have Been

A lot of football fans out there were rooting for the San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC Championship Game.

It wasn't that they followed the California football team or had a vested interest in its success. Rather, it was all about avoiding a rematch. Avoiding the feeling that we have done this before.

San Francisco was the only team in the final four that could have helped us avoid this all-too-familiar storyline over the course of the next two weeks. 

It didn't happen because the San Francisco 49ers laid an egg on the biggest stage the franchise had been on in over a decade. 

The Baltimore Ravens are currently in the same boat. They were a 31-yard field goal away from taking the New England Patriots to overtime in the AFC Championship Game. 

The storyline of a possible Raven-49ers matchup would have been so much more intriguing than what we ended up with. 

Specifically, brother against brother for a shot at the Lombardi Trophy. 

15. Eli Manning's Protection

Eli Manning dropped back to pass over 60 times against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, and he was hit on one-third of those occasions (20 times).

This is not sustainable if the New York Giants are going to win their second Super Bowl over the New England Patriots. 

Simply put, their pass protection is going to have to be much better in order to succeed. Vince Wilfork is playing out of his mind right now and could cause some major damage to Manning if these pass protection issues aren't fixed. 

The good news for Giants fans is that they are going up against the Patriots defense, not the San Francisco 49ers defense. 

That will make a dramatic difference. 

14. The National Anthem

Whitney Houston's rendition of the national anthem prior to Super Bowl XXV in 1991 will always stand out as one of the greatest performances of that song in the history of the United States. The passion in her voice, coupled with the backdrop of Desert Storm, was visually stunning. 

We have seen some amazing performances since. Carrie Underwood's performance prior to Super Bowl XLIV in 2010 stands right up there. 

However, these performances are far and few between when it comes to the National Football League. Last week saw Steven Tyler make a complete mess of this most beautiful song, and Christina Aguilera made a complete fool of herself prior to the Super Bowl last season.

For most Americans, the "Star-Spangled Banner" is a sacred song that represents the utmost beauty of this nation. We are offended when it gets butchered, and rightfully so. 

It has also become a rite of passage on Sundays for some of this nation's best musicians. This year, Kelly Clarkson of "American Idol" fame has been pegged to sing it. She does have an amazing voice, and it was probably a good decision. 

We are sure to find out if she fits in the Whitney Houston/Carrie Underwood category or makes a complete fool of herself in front of hundreds of millions.

13. Brandon Jacobs: All Talk and No Substance

Brandon Jacobs talked a mad game prior to last week's NFC Championship. Too bad his game didn't live up to all that hype.

The enigmatic New York Giants running back carried the ball five times for a total of 13 yards. 

New York is going to need him to step up his game and match his performance with all that talk in the Super Bowl against New England. Eli Manning cannot drop back to pass over 60 times if the Giants expect to win. 

Jacobs did run the ball extremely well against the Patriots in November. He accounted for a total of 100 yards, including 72 rushing and a touchdown in the Giants win. This performance will have to be repeated. 

You also have to take into account that Jacobs isn't going up against the best rush defense in the NFL like he was last weekend. Instead, he is going up against a Patriots defense that allowed 100 rushing yards 10 different times this season, including 150 or more three times. 

12. Will the Patriots Win One for the Krafts?

Sometimes, real life mixes with football, and the sport just seems much less important by comparison.

This was the case with the New England Patriots in July, when Myra Kraft, the wife of team owner Robert Kraft, passed away at the age of 68. 

It wasn't just a huge blow to one of the most important figures in the NFL, Robert Kraft; it was a huge loss for the entire New England Patriots franchise. She was one of the most respected "leading ladies" that had existed in the NFL, and her relationship with players on the team was nearly unmatched. 

It also had a major impact on the collective bargaining issue toward the last days of the lockout. Both the NFLPA and the NFL put differences aside for a moment to mourn the death of a truly amazing woman. 

I am pretty sure that the New England Patriots want to win this one for their owner and late matriarch.

For Kraft, it won't soften the blow of losing his confidante of nearly 50 years. But, it will go a long way in helping him move forward without her. 

11. Eli Manning in Indy

How apropos would it be for Eli Manning to win the Super Bowl in his brother's stadium?

That is a storyline of its own.

But, the bigger story here is that he could one-up his brother in terms of championships in his own backyard.

Either way, we all know that Peyton Manning is rooting for his little brother.

10. Tom Coughlin Looking to Match Bill Parcells

Bill Parcells won Super Bowls XXI and XXV as the head coach of the New York Giants, the franchise's only two Lombardis until Tom Coughlin won it a couple years ago. 

I could play six degrees of separation here: Bill Belichick was the defensive coordinator on the 1990 New York Giants team that beat Buffalo in the Super Bowl. Parcells was the New England Patriots head coach in their XXXI loss to the Denver Broncos.

Now, Coughlin has a chance to tie Parcells' mark of two Super Bowl Championships with the New York Giants against another team that Parcells led to a Super Bowl. 

OK, enough of that. 

If your head is spinning, let me make it easier for you. 

Coughlin has a chance to etch himself into the heralded history of the New York Giants franchise with a Super Bowl victory in a little over a week. 

9. New England Patriots Avoiding a Super Bowl Slump

One Super Bowl loss is not a slump; two consecutive losses is.

This is what the New England Patriots and Tom Brady are going to attempt to avoid against the New York Giants. 

What makes this even more interesting is the fact that the Patriots have an opportunity to avenge their only Super Bowl loss under Bill Belichick/Tom Brady.

If they are able to, then the pain of their previous defeat will be gone. If not, the national media will go on a rant about how the Patriots dynasty is "slipping away from them." 

8. Which Tom Brady Will Show Up?

After starting his Hall of Fame career 10-0, Tom Brady is 6-5 in his last 11 postseason starts. He has thrown 16 interceptions over the duration of those 11 starts, including five multiple-interception games. 

After throwing six touchdowns in the Patriots' initial playoff game against the Denver Broncos two weeks ago, Brady failed to throw a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. His 57.5 quarterback rating was the second worst of his career. 

The New England Patriots are going to need Brady to step up his game against the New York Giants in order for them to win. 

If he has a repeat of the Baltimore Ravens performance, the Patriots have absolutely no shot. 

7. Elite May Be Most Overused Word in NFL Dictionary

What does "elite" mean? How do you decipher an elite quarterback from one that isn't?

In order to do this, you must look at the true definition of the word. 

From Merriam-Webster: a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence.

Let's presuppose for a second that the word elite can be used in the context of sport. Joe Montana was an elite quarterback because he wielded the power to win four Super Bowl titles in four opportunities while playing flawlessly during those games. 

Peyton Manning is elite because of his performance as the quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts and what he has meant to the franchise. Just look at how they played this season. 

Is Eli Manning elite? 

It is an extremely subjective question that really doesn't have a true answer. If your definition of elite is Montana or Tom Brady, then Eli probably isn't elite. However, if your definition of elite is much like the one I referenced here from Webster's, then he is elite. 

Either way, it really doesn't matter and is continually over-used in the dialogue about Eli Manning. New York Giants fans could care less how he is defined as long as they get their second Super Bowl in five years. 

6. Eli Manning vs. Tom Brady

Two Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks going up against one another on the biggest stage. Four championships and seven Super Bowl appearances combined. 

Does it get any better than this? 

Who will come out on top? Which player will step up when it counts the most? Can Tom Brady avenge the XLII loss?

All of these questions need to be answered and will be in a matter of days. 

And don't be mistaken; whichever quarterback plays better will win the game. For all intents and purposes, the burden of winning another Super Bowl is on the shoulders of these two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks. 

My money is on Tom Brady!

5. Will the Super Bowl Actually Live Up to the Hype?

With two weeks of buildup, media attention continually hitting all-time highs and the press stammering for the inside slants, Super Bowl week has now taken on a life of its own. 

In many ways, it far surpasses the actual game. 

However, the last four Super Bowls have done more than live up to the hype. From Tracy Porter's fourth-quarter interception of Peyton Manning to Santonio Holmes' amazing last-second, game-winning touchdown, the last few Super Bowls have had some of the most amazing finishes in the history of the game. 

Too often this isn't the case. We have seen our fair share of blowouts, poorly-played games and goats deciding the outcome. 

Let's hope this isn't the case when the Patriots and Giants meet in less than two weeks. 

4. Eli Manning Looking to Best His Big Brother

Eli Manning has always had to exist outside of the spotlight. First behind his father, Archie, and then behind his big brother, Peyton. 

Now, it is his time to shine. 

The future Hall of Fame quarterback has an opportunity to accomplish a feat that his more popular brother has yet to: win a second Super Bowl.

Sibling rivalry isn't a made-up folk story; it exists in reality. I am pretty sure that these two brothers drive to do better than one another. They build off of the other's success in order to propel themselves to even greater accomplishments. 

Imagine the feeling that Eli will have if he is able to defeat the New England Patriots for his second Super Bowl championship, especially considering that the game is being played in his older brother's own backyard. 

3. Bill Belichick Looking to Make History

Chuck Noll still owns the NFL record for most Super Bowl Championships, with four. Bill Belichick was just over a minute away from tying that record a couple years ago when David Tyree ended those hopes. 

Now, the future Hall of Fame head coach is once again on the game's largest stage in an attempt to tie Noll with his fourth Super Bowl title. 

It really is amazing that a man who was fired as head coach of the Cleveland Browns is on his way to becoming one of the most decorated head coaches in the heralded history of the NFL. 

It is now up to Brady and Co. to give Belichick the only thing that his Hall of Fame list of credentials is missing: a fourth championship. 

2. Tom Brady Once Again Going for Fourth Super Bowl Championship

At some point, we have to ask ourselves: Is Tom Brady the greatest quarterback to ever play the game?

It is one of those open-ended questions that really doesn't have a concrete answer. It is also subjective by definition. 

Joe Montana won four Super Bowls in four appearances, throwing a total of 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions. That is, by definition, perfection. 

The Patriots' loss to the New York Giants a few seasons ago in the Super Bowl disabled Brady's ability to be mentioned in that category with Montana. 

Still, Brady's accomplishments cannot be overstated. He has played himself right into the conversation as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play. 

If win-loss records are an indicator of success, Brady stands alone. If Super Bowl championships are an indicator of success, Brady has a chance to match the likes of Montana and Terry Bradshaw. 

This Super Bowl will go a long way in redefining a legacy that has already been redefined countless times. A victory will quiet those who continue to lambaste Brady for being a result of the Patriots "system." 

1. The Rematch

Fans that don't have a vested interest in either the New York Giants or New England Patriots probably didn't want this rematch. Instead, they wanted to see something new. Maybe Tom Brady going up against his childhood team, the San Francisco 49ers. 

Still, this game has the making to be epic. 

When these two teams met in the Super Bowl five years ago, the New England Patriots were in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in the history of the league. They went 16-0 during the regular season and were looking history right in the face. 

The New York Giants ended this amazing run in one of the best Super Bowls to be played.

As you will see in the embedded video, David Tyree broke the collective hearts of Patriots fans the world over by snagging an Eli Manning pass with just over 1:00 remaining in the fourth quarter and New England ready to put the Giants away. 

It has been stated that "revenge is a dish best served cold." Despite the ambiguity in the meaning of this phrase, it pretty much means that you should take your time to get revenge. Well, the New England Patriots have waited five seasons for this. 

Are they ready to serve this dish? Or will the New York Giants once again get the best of them?