Super Bowl 2012: 5 Predictions for the New York Giants and New England Patriots

Heading to their second Super Bowl in a span of five seasons, the New York Giants are poised to bring another championship to the Big Apple.

Given the circumstances of Super Bowl XLII's outcome, we know how difficult it is to predict what will happen on arguably the biggest stage in professional sports.

But I'm going to take a stab at it anyway.

Eli Manning Will Throw at Least Three Touchdowns

Eli Manning has been scorching all season, so why would we think he'd be anything but in Super Bowl XLVI?

Manning has already proved that he can handle the big stage, especially when he and the rest of the G-Men defeated Tom Brady and the Pats in Super Bowl XLII, ending the hopes of their perfect season and a fourth Super Bowl ring.

He threw three touchdowns in four games during the regular season and tossed four against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, and he has thrown three touchdowns in two out of three postseason games in 2011.  

With that being said, there's no reason to think Manning won't shred New England's 31st-ranked pass defense next Sunday.

The Giants Defense Will Sack Brady 3+ Times

In case you haven't heard by now, the Giants defensive line is pretty good.

Tied for third during the regular season with 48 sacks, the three-headed monster that is Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora is guaranteed to put Tom Brady on his back.

While Brady has been hard to bring down during the playoffs, he was sacked 32 times during the regular season and will face a more exhausting defensive line in the Giants than he did against the Broncos and Ravens.

The Giants are averaging three sacks per game during the 2011 playoffs, and I see at least three more coming on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks Will Combine for 150+ Receiving Yards and Two TDs

Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks are gaining respect around the NFL for their 2011 performances.

And rightly so.

In his first season of seeing extensive action, Cruz set two New York Giants' receiving records on his way to 82 receptions, 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns.

His first career postseason has seen him snatch 17 balls for 244 yards.  His most impressive playoff performance came last week in San Francisco when he caught 10 balls for 142 yards.

Nicks followed up his 11-TD 2010 campaign with a solid 76 receptions, 1,192 yards and seven touchdowns in 2011.

He's been the best wideout in the playoffs, snagging 18 passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns.

Look for Cruz and Nicks to handle a weak New England secondary and have a big day. 

Rob Gronkowski Will Have 100+ Yards and at Least One TD

Rob Gronkowski has easily been the best tight end this season, and he's carried that effort into the playoffs with 15 receptions for 232 yards and three TDs. I don't see him slowing down one bit against the Giants.

New York has been susceptible to big-play TEs this season.

Week 1 at Washington: Fred Davis—five rec and 105 yards

Week 9 at New England: Gronkowski—eight rec, 101 yards and one TD

Week 12 at New Orleans: Jimmy Graham—five rec, 84 yards and two TDs

Week 13 vs. Green Bay: Jermichael Finley—six rec, 87 yards and one TD

NFC Conference Championship: Vernon Davis—three rec, 112 yards and two TDs

Starting to get the hint?

Gronkowski is poised for another big game against the Giants' secondary in Super Bowl XLVI

The Giants Will Win by Three Points

I see this game possibly coming down to a game-winning field goal off the foot of Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes.

The Giants are no strangers to playing in tight games, and Tynes has handled those situations very well.

Back in the 2007 Conference Championship in Green Bay, Tynes sealed the Super Bowl bid for the Giants when his 47-yard field goal in the snow sailed through the uprights.

History repeated itself last weekend when Tynes sent a 31-yarder down the middle to send the G-Men to their second Super Bowl in five seasons

If the opportunity rises, Tynes will seal the deal for New York.

My prediction: Giants 27, Patriots 24