Giants vs Patriots Predictions: Running Backs Will Be Big Factors in Super Bowl

Tom Brady, Eli Manning and their elite quarterback statuses are the headliners of Super Bowl XLVI, and quite frankly, they should be. 

However, their head coaches, Tom Coughlin and Bill Belichick are the masters of adjustments and creative wrinkles, so don't be surprised to see more running plays than you may initially think.

During their run to the Super Bowl, the Giants have featured their running backs a great deal for a team with a premier quarterback and an astounding group of wide receivers.

Remember, New York finished the year ranked dead-last in rushing yards with 89.2 ground yards per game.  

Ahmad Bradshaw, who battled injuries throughout the 2011 campaign has averaged 15.4 rushes during the Giants' current five-game winning streak. 

Over that span, the small and tenacious runner has averaged 62.2 yards (4.0 yards per carry) and has scored three touchdowns. 

That may not seem like a ton of production, but for a pass-first, spread offense like New York's, it has been ideal to keep defenses honest. 

In the NFC championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, Bradshaw was vital, although his stellar performance was rightfully overshadowed by the Giants defensive line and Eli Manning's gutsy effort. 

He ran for 74 hard-earned yards against the league's best run defense and reeled in six passes for 52 more yards. 

With the Patriots likely to throw a multitude of different secondary looks at Manning, expect Bradshaw and even Brandon Jacobs to surprisingly play a vital role on Super Bowl Sunday. 

Tom Brady threw the ball 612 times—only Drew Brees and Matthew Stafford had more attempts in 2011. 

In the AFC championship game, New England runners BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead combined for 86 yards on 21 carries with a rushing touchdown. 

Green-Ellis averaged only 3.7 yards per rush this season, but he found the end zone 11 times. 

The Pats' win over the Baltimore Ravens can be used as dress rehearsal for the stout defensive front they're up against in the Super Bowl and employing a similar, more balanced game plan would be in their best interest. 

Green-Ellis is a workhorse and can run between the tackles and pound the football in the red zone. Woodhead is the perfect draw play candidate which should be utilized to negate New York's aggressive pass rush. 

Manning and Brady will be the determining factors in the Super Bowl, as most quarterbacks typically are, but the team's running backs will be more crucial than many expect. 

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