Super Bowl Spread: New York Giants Will Cover Line with Ease

I'm pretty sure oddsmakers still think it's Week 17 of the NFL season.

Because if that were true, then the Patriots, coming off their seventh win in a row, being favored over an 8-7 New York Giants team struggling to make the playoffs would make a lot more sense.

But now? Not so much. 

The Patriots are as hot as ever, as they've extended that win streak to 10. But the Giants have rolled through the Atlanta Falcons, the Super Bowl favorite Green Bay Packers and an impressive San Francisco 49ers squad. Those last two were both on the road.

This is not the same Giants team from a month ago. 

Furthermore, New England is showing some chinks in the armor. Tom Brady "sucked" against the Baltimore Ravens and the Pats needed a dropped pass from Lee Evans and a missed chip shot from Ray Finkle to advance.

Of course, the Giants also got a lucky break when Kyle Williams forgot to wipe the butter off his fingers, but I would stand to argue this points to the Pats and Giants being "even."

I certainly wouldn't make the Patriots the favorite. New York simply looked like the better team last week.

Both of these teams are explosive on the offensive side of the ball. Brady threw for 5,235 yards and 39 touchdowns in what was one of the best statistical seasons for a QB ever.

Eli Manning wasn't outdone, though, as he threw for just under 5,000 yards and 29 touchdowns. On top of that, he's been spectacular in the playoffs.

Both QBs are at an elite status, and both have won Super Bowls. I would give Brady the advantage, but not by much. What makes up for that advantage, however, is how much better New York's defense is.

New England has been atrocious against the pass. It gave up 282.9 passing yards per game during the regular season (31st in the NFL), and even made Joe Flacco look like he wasn't scared to be in the playoffs.

On the other side of the ball, New York hasn't been great, but it gave up just 246.5 passing yards per game on the season. What's more, they get to the quarterback with relative ease.

And that's where these teams differ. Both passing games are elite, both defenses are mediocre at best, but New York can get to the quarterback much more efficiently.

Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora are just too good and won't be contained. 

The Patriots are currently favored by three points. That's not a huge spread, and it shouldn't sway you either way. But when the better team is the underdog, you know you're getting a good bet.