Super Bowl 2012: What Are the Biggest Differences Between 2008 and Now?

While many things have stayed the same for the New England Patriots and New York Giants since Super Bowl XLII—most notably Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, Tom Brady and Eli Manning—there are a variety of major differences that will make this an entirely different game. 

Let's take a glimpse at the three biggest facets of both teams and this matchup that simply aren't the same as four years ago. 

No Randy Moss, scary downfield threat for Patriots 

The 2007-2008 New England Patriots had the most vertically-explosive passing attack in the history of football.

Seriously.

Tom Brady. Randy Moss.

The two legends combined for 23 passing touchdowns on the year while No. 12 tossed a total of 50 touchdowns.

Precisely when the opposition was focusing all its attention on Moss' blazing speed, the terrorizing Wes Welker would wreak havoc on the shallow routes, gaining first downs to keep possessions going.

Fast forward to the present. Gone is Moss and his intimidating threat of hitting the home run each time the ball is snapped. 

As we saw in 2011, New England's offense is still a well-oiled machine that averaged 34.0 points during the regular season. However, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez serve as the big-play options that allow Welker to work his magic underneath. 

Deion Branch and Welker can occasionally be found deep, but the Patriots are far more methodical and rely on run-after-the-catch ability when moving the ball down the field. 

Smaller, more youthful receivers for the New York Giants 

The 2007-2008 group of wide receivers consisted of the physically imposing Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, who was in the twilight of his career, and a rather unknown receiver from Syracuse, David Tyree. While Toomer and especially Tyree had magnificent games, they didn't carry that game-breaker distinction.

Not the case with this year's Giants receiving corps.

They aren't big targets like Burress was, but they are all well-rounded receivers who intimidate with their downfield prowess and yards-after-the-catch ability. 

Mario Manningham is the eldest member of the dynamic contingent and has yet to turn 26 years old. Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks are better all-around wideouts than Manningham, yet they all have turned in big games throughout the season. 

It will be a different test for Bill Belichick and his secondary this time around, as New York has one of, if not the most electric receiving corps in the NFL. 

No dominating New England defense

We all were enamored with the Patriots' legendary offense in 2007, as we should have been. Brady and Co. were unstoppable. 

Their defense wasn't bad, either. 

It finished the regular season ranked fourth in the league in total yards allowed per game and average points allowed per game, and the secondary was loaded with veteran talent like Rodney Harrison and Asante Samuel. The linebacking corps was also filled with experience. Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and a young Vince Wilfork dominated on the defensive line. 

While this year's Patriots defense has shown vast improvement in January, there are still plenty of holes. 

Mark Anderson is the only real dangerous pass-rusher on the defensive line, and Rob Ninkovich has been a respectable blitzer, too. However, the secondary is essentially a mess. Wide receiver Julian Edelman is playing nickel cornerback. 

Not the type of defense Belichick wants to take the field in a Super Bowl. 

And can it contain the Giants' star-studded receiving unit and quarterback Eli Manning?

Follow @ChrisTrapasso