Super Bowl 2012: Breaking Down Which Defense Has the Edge

Most of the focus for Super Bowl 46 will likely be on the duel between elite quarterbacks Eli Manning and Tom Brady. But the New York Giants and New England Patriots will only be as successful as their respective defenses allow them to be.

The spotlight will be firmly on each unit and their attempts to corral Brady and Manning. When the two teams met in Super Bowl 42, offensive fireworks were replaced by hard-hitting defensive play and stellar pass-rushing from both teams.

More of the same will be required if either team hopes to lift this year's Lombardi trophy. With this in mind, here is a look at how the two defenses compare and which unit has the edge for the Super Bowl.

Playoff Performance: Switch Back to 3-4 Has Made Patriots Defense Relevant Again

Since Andre Carter's injury, the Patriots have slowly moved back to their more familiar 3-4 front. The switch has paid huge dividends in the playoffs.

Bill Belichick and his defensive staff have taken advantage of their deep rotation of massive, 2-gap linemen and the presence of bruising inside linebackers Brandon Spikes and Jerod Mayo.

This has allowed the Patriots to unleash a punishing front seven on the postseason. They managed to shut down the power running game of both the Denver Broncos and the Baltimore Ravens.

Their tremendous size up front has allowed the Patriots to routinely collapse the pocket, resulting in a surprisingly strong pass rush.

New England does still seem susceptible to the pass, though, and Belichick will need to devise a new game plan for Manning and company.

New-Look Front Four Approaching 2007 Level for Big Blue

The Giants' stunning 2007 postseason run was spearheaded by the marauding play of their talented and versatile front four. The 2011 version has raised their game in the playoffs and is approaching a similar level of dominance.

Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck remain from New York's last Super Bowl victory. They have been joined by explosive second-year ace Jason Pierre-Paul, who is as dynamic a pass-rusher as there is in the NFL.

The group has been all over quarterbacks in the playoffs. They have harassed and battered Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers and Alex Smith en route to their showdown with the legendary Brady.

Big Blue's defense received some intense criticism at times during the regular season, but the group has rebounded and are now a dangerous, opportunistic unit, always capable of creating big plays.

Advantage: Giants. Given the higher calibre of opponents they have faced during the postseason, the edge goes to the Giants defense when it comes to playoff performance.

Defensive Lines, Advantage: Giants

This one is a lot closer than it may at first appear. The Patriots front is an underrated group that brings awesome size and strength to the equation. New England has great depth along the line and can utilise multiple combinations depending on the game situation.

Mammoth defensive tackle Vince Wilfork is the focal point of the group. Wilfork is an elite defensive playmaker with the power, intelligence and aggression to wreck any offensive game plan.

He is usually joined by cumbersome duo Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick. The two are tough to control and move at the point of attack to create plenty of space for the linebackers.

Belichick can also rely on nasty veteran Gerrard Warren and former New York Jet Shaun Ellis, who is an effective situational pass-rusher. The Patriots line is well coached by Pepper Johnson and is the natural platform for everything they do defensively.

The same can be said of the Giants' deep and talented rotation. Tuck, Umenyiora and Pierre-Paul may garner the headlines, but tackles Chris Canty, Linval Joseph and Rocky Bernard have really elevated the overall performance of the Giants defense.

Joseph has been a particularly pleasant surprise. The second-year pro has been a stout force inside, commanding double teams and allowing Canty and Bernard to make more plays behind the line of scrimmage.

The fact that the Giants can add effective edge-rusher Mathias Kiwanuka to the mix whenever they feel like it only increases the potency of the front and its threat to Brady. 

As pressure on the pocket will be the key factor of this Super Bowl, New York's ability to utilise a wider range of more dynamic personnel gives the Giants the edge up front.

Linebackers, Advantage: Patriots

Belichick's history of utilising linebackers in the most effective way gives the Patriots the edge over the Giants. Hard-hitting inside linebackers Mayo and Spikes have been outstanding in the playoffs.

The duo have sought out and destroyed opposing ground games and have proven themselves to be effective members of the Patriots' zone schemes. Spikes made a critical steal of a Joe Flacco pass in the AFC Championship Game and both players display good understanding and instincts when patrolling the hook and curl zones.

On the outside, Rob Ninkovich has excelled as a stand-up rusher. The 6'2", 255 pounder can routinely collapse the edge, thanks to his deceptive strength and relentless motor. Ninkovich is also versatile enough not to be a liability whenever he drops into coverage.

On the other side, former 4-3 defensive end Mark Anderson has made a quick transition to 3-4 outside 'backer. The 28-year-old has the quick first step and closing speed to pose a constant threat to Manning's blindside.

The Giants have been forced to rotate personnel at linebacker all season, due to injuries and poor performance. Veterans Kiwanuka and Michael Boley are capable starters, but the middle remains a question.

Former special-teamer Chase Blackburn has done a decent job filling in recently, but the Giants still lack elite quality at a vital position on their defense. But rookie Jacquian Williams has showcased some coverage skills, which could be useful against the Patriots' multiple-receiver sets.

But it's hard to see any of Big Blue's linebackers coping with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. The Giants' best bet will be to regularly employ their familiar three-safety package and take their chances against the run.

Secondary, Advantage: Giants

The Giants are well stocked at safety with interchangeable playmakers Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips. The versatile pair give coordinator Perry Fewell a lot of options and freedom in his multiple schemes.

Rolle, in particular, is key to the scope of what the Giants are able to do defensively. As a former cornerback, his confident coverage skills mean the Giants can feel comfortable matching him up one-on-one against dangerous tight ends and slot receivers.

Rolle's abilities help the Giants to better disguise their coverages and intent.

Phillips is capable in underneath coverage and has the ability to be a disruptive box player. The 25-year-old has rebounded well from serious injury and is a vital component of the Giants defense.

Veteran Deon Grant has the experience and tenacity to be effective cover for both men and is a useful member of the run defense in Fewell's three-safety package.

On the outside, Corey Webster can be inconsistent, but when he's on his game he has elite corner ability. The G-Men won't be worried about leaving the 6'0", 200 pounder isolated against Wes Welker.

The Patriots secondary is characterised by the gambling play of ball hawk Kyle Arrington. The underrated three-year pro snared seven interceptions this season. Fellow starter Devin McCourty, meanwhile, has regressed this season.

New England is also thin at safety. Patrick Chung and James Ihedigbo are good blitz men, but neither possesses the range to be a factor in coverage. Depth is weak across the secondary and that's not good news as the Patriots prepare to face prolific receiving tandem Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.

Run Defense, Advantage: Patriots

The Patriots have been superb at stuffing the run in the playoffs and hold a definite advantage over the Giants in this area. Their mammoth line, coupled with four linebackers all weighing over 240 pounds, makes New England's front seven extremely difficult to muscle off the ball.

Fresh off a monster performance in the AFC Championship, Vince Wilfork is the key to the run defense. Belichick has moved the eight-year standout away from the center and routinely aligns him at end, depending on where the opposition likes to run and the strength of the formation.

Wilfork has been devastating in this multiple role. He has destroyed the pocket and simply overwhelmed blockers at the point of attack. WIlfork has received excellent support from Kyle Love, who is quickly developing into a force over the center.

This gigantic duo are creating wide-open pursuit lanes for Mayo and Spikes to fill. With Ninkovich and Anderson both strong enough to set hard edges, opposing runners have no choice but to try and cut it back to the middle and into the waiting arms of Wilfork and company.

The Giants' run defense suffers from their lack of top-level talent at linebacker and the pass-first instincts of their defensive line. Players like Tuck, Umenyiora and Pierre-Paul often play the run, only on their way to the quarterback.

Canty and Joseph form the fulcrum of the G-Men's run defense. But the duo will face a stern challenge trying to consistently overcome Logan Mankins and the interior of New England's front five.

Pass Defense, Advantage: Giants

The combination of a more devastating pass rush and superior talent in the defensive backfield gives the Giants' pass defense the edge.

New York stunned the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII by hammering Brady with a relentless wave of attacks. This version of Big Blue is equally capable of doing the same.

With fronts designed to get Umenyiora, Tuck, Pierre-Paul and Kiwanuka on the field at the same time, the G-Men have the weapons to again make life difficult for Brady.

Rolle and Phillips give the Giants a lot of options in their coverage schemes and Webster is a better corner than anyone on the Patriots side of the field. The Giants have the playmakers to combat the explosive weapons on the Patriots offense.

The Patriots have created pressure in the playoffs but have not faced an offense as capably diverse as the Giants. Manning can make the gambling secondary pay and New England will struggle to cover all of his receivers.

Coaching, Advantage: Patriots

The Patriots hold the edge in terms of defensive coaching. Bill Belichick and key assistants Pepper Johnson and Matt Patricia have transformed a defense, which was a major liability during the regular season, into a unit that has led the way during their two playoff victories.

Suddenly, the Patriots defense has a fear factor again and that is a credit to how Belichick and his staff have tweaked the schemes and responded to the loss of Andre Carter. New England's defense may be short on talent, but you can always count on them to be well prepared and armed with a good game plan.

Perry Fewell has also done a good job coping with a myriad of injuries and has restored the Giants defense to a level of play more appropriate to its talent. But Fewell has the luxury of better players than the Patriots in key areas.

Conclusion: Giants' Greater Natural Talent Gives Them Defensive Edge

The Giants just shade this defensive comparison thanks to the natural talent of their personnel. The G-Men can rely on the superior athleticism and physicality of playmakers like Pierre-Paul.

The Patriots, meanwhile, will be forced to try and mask their deficiencies with scheme. It's worked so far in the playoffs, but the Giants offense poses a genuine multiple threat.

Both defenses face a tough challenge attempting to subdue two explosive attacks. If the Giants group can play to form and their talent level, they could be the decisive factor in the game, while the Patriots risk being let down on the biggest stage by their own 31st-ranked unit.