Super Bowl Predictions 2012: Tom Brady and Eli Manning Stat Projections

With the 2011 NFL season being The Year of the Quarterback, then it seems only right to zero in on Tom Brady and Eli Manning for Super Bowl XLVI.

So, here are the projected stats for the Patriots and Giants' leaders.

Tom Brady

Throwing for over 5,200 yards in the regular season and over 600 through two playoff games, it's clear that although his performance was not up to par against Baltimore, Tom Brady proved effective enough to lead the Pats to the Super Bowl.

Against the Giants earlier this season Brady threw for almost 350 yards with two TDs, but he also had two interceptions along with 21 non-completions.

This time around Brady will need to hit roughly that same yardage total, but not turn the ball over as well as being more accurate. Whether it's more touch passes or darts to give his receivers the best chance to make plays, misfires in the Super Bowl will prove costly.

Early on, Brady will need to make the Giants pass rush obsolete by utilizing the quick release passing game. No seven-step drops or long-developing plays such as play-action. If anything, New England must run the ball to setup the play-action later, not the other way around.

That being said, Brady must anticipate the Giants coming out in press coverage to prevent his targets from getting free releases off the line. Obviously the longer that takes, the longer Brady hangs onto the ball and the increased odds of a sack.

Therefore, quick screens and delayed routes by Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez will suffice. No one on New York's defense can match Wes Welker's quickness across the middle, so expect a lot from No. 83 in the beginning stages as well.

As the game progresses, Gronkowski will need to takeover because that's where he is most dangerous.

28-of-40, 350 yards, three TDs, one pick

Eli Manning

Needing to match Tom Brady, Eli Manning has had one amazing season for the Giants.

Throwing for almost 5,000 yards, Eli did so with the NFL's worst rushing offense backing him up and a defense that struggled to consistently stop opponents, as well as the team suffering numerous injuries on both sides of the ball.

Still, defenses knew that New York had to rely on Eli, and they still couldn't stop him. In the playoffs, Manning has only kept on rolling.

Through three games he has 923 yards, eight TDs to just one pick and a rating of 103.1. In the regular season meeting versus New England, Eli only hit 250 yards but led an impressive game-winning drive to get the win, 24-20.

This time around he will have to do just that, as Tom Brady will have a great game.

Having to match the Pats' offense possession for possession, Eli needs to exploit Bill Belichick's pass defense from the start. New England is solid against the run and has a better pass rush than given credit for, so attacking the secondary is crucial.

Expect the Giants to come out in four and five-wide looks and bring the pain to New England. As the game progresses, New York reverts to the ground game to try and wear down the Pats' front seven.

Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks need to beat any single coverage they may face, though they will see more double-teams. Therefore, Mario Manningham will need to step up as will tight end Jake Ballard.

Provided that New York makes numerous red zone appearances, where the Pats are tough, using the entire field will be imperative to get touchdowns.

25-of-38, 335 yards, three TDs, one pick

John Rozum on Twitter