Super Bowl 2012: Key Matchups in Giants vs. Patriots Rematch

We know the New York Giants need to hit Tom Brady to win this football game. We know the Patriots need to tackle Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham after they make catches.

We know the best chance the Giants and Patriots have at winning Super Bowl XLVI is in the hands of their quarterbacks.

But there is more to this game—even if the success hinges on the QBs—than just Eli Manning and Tom Brady.

Michael Boley and Giants Nickel Package vs. Patriots' Hurry-Up Offense

The Giants' "NASCAR" defensive line is used in obvious passing situations. The Patriots will look to counter that by not letting the Giants make those necessary substitutions.

Tom Brady has done a very good job this postseason of using the no-huddle, hurry-up offense to run the football.

Baltimore's vaunted run defense wasn't gashed by the Patriots, but Brady effectively went to the run when he had to, and eight of the Pats' first-down conversions came on the ground.

Against Denver, the Pats converted nine first downs on the ground.

With so much emphasis placed on stopping Brady and New England's passing attack, the three-time Super Bowl-winning QB has taken advantage of soft front sevens to run the ball.

If the Giants try to counter Brady's no-huddle with an extra defensive back(s)—veteran safety Deon Grant with outside backer Michael Boley in the middle—it could hurt the Giants' run defense.

It will be extremely important for the Giants' defensive signal-caller, Boley, to have all his ducks in a row on every play, or Brady is going to pick them apart in the air or possibly on the ground.

Long drives in a no-huddle offense can be absolutely demoralizing to a defense.

Tom Coughlin vs. Bill Belichick

This matchup comes down to how things play out by halftime.

Belichick is a master of adjusting during the game while Coughlin is noted for is ability to get his team motivated.

If the Giants come out and take it to the Pats, Coughlin has to be ready to handle Belichick's adjustments.

The Giants aren't going to change what they do; they've made it this far with a very simple recipe for success, but they cannot be confused by how Belichick adjusts.

Coughlin and his staff need to be prepared for anything and everything against a man who will do anything to win.

Special Teams

We saw the importance of special teams on Championship Sunday, and both Coughlin and Belichick will be damned if they lose the Super Bowl on special teams.

Expect conservative, ball security play from return men and high-percentage kicks from the legs.

If one of these sides falters in their execution, it could swing the entire game.

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