Super Bowl 2012: 3 Quick Things to Watch for Both Patriots, Giants

Here are three quick things to watch for both the New England Patriots and New York Giants in preparation for Super Bowl XLVI, which will be played next Sunday in Indianapolis. 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

1. Front seven is peaking

After struggling for the better part of the regular season, the Patriots' front seven is now playing at an elite level. It starts with Vince Wilfork, who is in the midst of a dominating stretch, but Mark Anderson and Rob Ninkovich are also providing pressure from the edges. In two playoff games, New England has eight sacks.  

2. Another tough test

As an offensive line, you couldn't ask for a tougher two-game assignment than facing the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants.

Baltimore won its fair share of battles in the AFC Championship Game, and you'd have to expect the Giants' talented front four to do the same. But the Patriots can't allow New York's defensive line to control the Super Bowl, as was the case four years ago. 

3. Hobbled weapon

Rob Gronkowski returned to the AFC Championship after getting his ankle rolled up on, and he'll get plenty of time to get it ready to play in the Super Bowl. But with damaged ligaments in the ankle, he needs more time than two weeks to get the injury back to 100 percent.

A limited Gronkowski hurts what the Patriots want to do offensively, especially in the red zone. 

NEW YORK GIANTS

1. Maintain balance, or not?

Head coach Tom Coughlin and offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride have historically done their best to maintain a balance of run and pass. But are we going to see that balance in the Super Bowl against a poor pass defense?

You got the feeling last Sunday that every time the Ravens ran the ball, they were playing right into the hands of the Patriots defense. With so many weapons in the Giants' passing game, the potential exists for Gilbride to disregard his tendency towards balance and ruthlessly attack the Patriots secondary. 

2. Beat up the tight ends

Gronkowski is already hurting, so expect the Giants to get physical with the 6'7" tight end. Against the Packers in the NFC Divisional Round, New York did its best to beat on tight end Jermichael Finley. It worked.

Look for the Giants to use their "Big Nickel" defense, which features two cornerbacks and three safeties, to implore a similar strategy. Letting the Patriots tight ends run free is a good way to get torched. 

3. Be ready for the no-huddle

The Patriots use the no-huddle as well as any team in football.

In theory, that tempo of offense helps slow down pass-rushers by voiding the opportunity to make substitutions and limiting the recovery time for big defensive linemen. It also allows Tom Brady to pick and choose the matchups he wants to exploit.

At some point in the Super Bowl, the Patriots will use it—and the Giants have to be prepared. It's not an easy offense to defend.