Super Bowl XLVI Preview: Eli Manning Against the New England Defense

The countdown has already begun for Super Bowl XLVI between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants.

The Giants of course won Super Bowl XLII back in 2008 (17-14), which ended the legendary undefeated season of the Patriots.

Tom Brady threw the most passing touchdowns in a season (50) and Randy Moss caught the most in a season (23), and yet the Giants defense made the Pats offense look ordinary.

There were several factors into why both of these teams are back at it once again, but let us talk about nearly every matchup there is that will determine your Super Bowl XLVI winner.

I will breakdown a different matchup every single day leading up to what many believe is the best sports day of the entire year.

So, let us start with what Eli Manning must do in order to pull off another improbable victory for the G-Men.

First, Eli Manning is playing his best ball of his career having been able to pull off an NFL career-record five road wins in the postseason. 

Plus, he already has beaten the Patriots at Gillette Stadium this season (2-1 all-time of course). 

Manning only threw for 250 yards in that game, but it was his 8-play, 81 yard game-winning drive that gave Giants fans the confidence they needed.

Eli is going to face a plethora of different disguises that Bill Bilichick will throw at the former Super Bowl XLII MVP. 

No. 10 was sacked six times by the ferocious Niners defense in the NFC Championship so look for New England to attempt to disrupt Manning right away. 

Vince Wilfork (6'2", 325-pounds) is about as good as it gets at stuffing the run and destroying a play, but he will need Mark Anderson to shine brightly.

Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes and Rob Ninkovich have really played well together but it will be vital for them to wreak havoc on third downs. 

Eli is great at escaping pressure, and that goes along with the amount of hits he has taken this season.

Still, he better be able to maneuver with ease since New England was respectable at getting after the QB (40 sacks, 14th).

The Giants have allowed only 28 sacks on the year, ranking seventh in the NFL. 

While New England's defensive line is not as nearly as dominant as San Francisco's (especially without Andre Carter leading sack-master, 10 sacks), they have had a knack for coming away with the key turnovers.

New England was third in the NFL during the regular season in takeaways (34) whereas the Giants were 16th in giveaways (24).

This will take an obvious and vital role in the game, but it is the superstar play of Eli Manning that will either make-or-break the Giants.

Slight Edge: Giants

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