Super Bowl 2012: How the Patriots and Giants Got to the Big Game

The road to Super Bowl XLVI was no easy task for the New York Giants or New England Patriots, but these teams will battle for glory in Indianapolis on Feb. 5. This rematch of Super Bowl XLII is shaping up to be better than the legendary game of four years ago. 

Tom Brady and Eli Manning are two of the NFL's premiere quarterbacks, and no one thought Manning would win Super Bowl Round I. After all, Brady was like Superman in the Super Bowl until that point. 

If Manning defeats Brady in the Super Bowl for a second time, he'll prove to be his Kryptonite. 

Forget about the annoying parties you always regret attending before the game even starts, disappointing Super Bowl commercials and the elongated halftime show with washed-up "stars"—this year is all about the main event. 

In this case, the hipster adjective to describe Super Bowl XLVI would be epic. Get ready for a serious showdown. 

Tom Brady Led the Way as Always for the New England Patriots

Tom Brady was the MVP of the NFL last season.

It's hard to believe that he surpassed his 2010 totals by 1,335 passing yards and three throwing touchdowns in 2011.

Brady's poise and persistence throughout this season have shown his teammates that there is only one destination, one goal and one option.

Without another Super Bowl victory, this season is a lost cause for Brady and the New England Patriots.

The future Hall of Fame quarterback proved that he wants a fourth Super Bowl ring by throwing six touchdowns against the Denver Broncos during the divisional round of the playoffs.

With another ring, Brady will join Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks to win four Super Bowls. He'll already join John Elway as the only five-time starter in the Super Bowl.

The only one to ever dethrone Brady in the Super Bowl is none other than his opponent in Super Bowl XLVI—Eli Manning.

Eli Manning Has Proved Himself This Season

Without a doubt, Eli Manning is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

His 4,933 passing yards this season eclipses his career best by nearly 1,000 yards.

Manning now leads the New York Giants to a second Super Bowl in four years. While many may still consider Manning's first Super Bowl win a fluke, no one can second-guess this year's trip.

He has thrown for 300-plus yards 10 times this season, and one would have to believe that number will be 11 after the conclusion of Super Bowl XLVI.

If there's one word to describe Manning this season, it would have to be clutch. He led his team to a fourth-quarter comeback win a whopping seven times. This fact is outstanding considering the Giants have only won 12 games this season.

Another ring would also prove Eli is better than his brother Peyton—at least in the postseason glory category.

The New England Patriots Won with Loads of Offense

The New England Patriots simply outscored their opponents this season. With a sub-par defense, the Patriots had to score piles of points.

The Patriots' offense didn't let down fans as the team scored 30-plus points 13 times this season.

Eight of these occurrences have happened in their last 10 games, proving that the Patriots are revved-up and ready to go.

It's hard to hate an explosive offense in the NFL. It's just too fun to watch.

The New York Giants' Defense Is on Fire

As good as the New England Patriots are on offense, the New York Giants are on defense.

The Giants' defense is healthy and clicking on all cylinders at the moment.

In three playoff games, the Giants have held their opponents to just 39 total points. The defense didn't allow a point to the Atlanta Falcons offense in a 24-2 victory during Wild Card Weekend, which is impressive in a playoff atmosphere.

Naysayers who think that the Giants won't be able to withstand the fury that Tom Brady is ready to unleash need to remember that the Giants frustrated and beat the mighty Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field just a few short weeks ago.

The Giants' defense will be ready.

Rob Gronkowski Proved to Be Unstoppable This Season

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski loves to spike a football. 

He got to do so an NFL-leading 17 times this season as he punished the earth with every exclamation point after he scored a touchdown.

"Gronk" is something out of a science-fiction movie—he may be a direct descendant of Frankenstein's monster.

This kid is simply unstoppable—his athleticism for his size is remarkable, and his hands may be the size of Rhode Island.

Ninety catches, 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns are all you need to know. He should be a nightmare for opponents for years to come.

Victor Cruz Was a Pleasant Surprise Who Never Stopped Producing

Victor Cruz had a breakout season for the ages.

His 1,536 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in the regular season are proof that Cruz is the truth.

What's scary about Cruz is how much more dangerous the New York Giants are because of him. With Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham already in the receiving corps, Cruz is the perfect complement to these big receivers.

Cruz has 17 catches for 244 yards thus far in the playoffs.

He has yet to reach the end zone, but when he does in the Super Bowl, expect to see some salsa dancing going down.

Week 9 Gave Fans a Preview of Super Bowl XLVI

NFL Week 9 turned out to be a Super Bowl preview between the New York Giants and New England Patriots.

Held in Foxboro, the Giants won on the road, 24-20. A touchdown toss from Eli Manning to Jake Ballard in the final seconds put the Giants on top for good.

Super Bowl XLVI will be a similar battle with the game not being decided until the final moments.

In the Week 9 contest, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw for an impressive 342 passing yards while his counterpart Manning threw for 250 but got the win.

Fans should expect 300-plus passing yards from each quarterback in the upcoming Super Bowl.

Right now, the Giants have the bragging rights, and the Patriots have something to prove.

Both Teams Are Streaking—Whose Will End?

Both the New York Giants and New England Patriots are riding heroic winning streaks right now.

Both teams needed a bit of luck to reach the Super Bowl, but then again, which team doesn't?

The Giants have won five straight games to reach the promised land while the Patriots have won an astounding 10.

In fact, the last team to beat the Patriots was none other than the Giants in Week 9.

While the Giants have had an up-and-down season, all is well that ends well, and things are pretty good in the Big Apple right now. The same can be said for Bean Town because the Patriots have been strong all season long.

Both of these teams are playing their best football of the season, and fans won't be disappointed with what transpires on February 5 in Indianapolis.

Soak it up, because after the game clock expires there's nothing but speculation from the NFL until the 2012 Draft.

Cheers.

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