Giants vs Patriots: Which Super Bowl Team Has Edge in Each Phase of the Game?

Everyone is acknowledging Super Bowl XLVI as a battle between two evenly matched clubs with premier quarterbacks and phenomenal pass-catchers. 

Though the Giants, on paper, have the better defense, the Patriots' D flexed its muscles in the AFC title game victory over the Baltimore Ravens. 

Which team holds the advantage in each phase of the game?

Quarterback

The Tom Brady-Eli Manning headlines this year's Super Bowl, and it should be. 

These two signal-callers are on top of their game right now and although Brady has traditionally outperformed Manning statistically, Manning has been just as, if not even more clutch than the Patriots' quarterback in the postseason. 

Eli has taken the last two meetings, in Super Bowl XLII and in Brady's house this season

There's a ton of pressure on both quarterbacks, with Manning behind able to possibly jump his brother, Peyton Manning, in terms of overall career success while Brady can tie Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana for the most Super Bowl titles with a victory. 

Manning is playing tremendous football, but I still cannot discount what Brady is capable of, especially in this redemption game. 

Advantage: Slightly Patriots

Running Backs

The Giants ranked last in the NFL in rushing yards per game, with a paltry 89.2 average in 2011. 

However, after returning from injury, Ahmad Bradshaw has brought new life to New York's backfield. In the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers top run defense, Bradshaw accumulated 74 hard-earned yards on the ground and caught six passes for 52 yards in the winning effort. 

He and Brandon Jacobs complement each other so well because of their varying size and skill sets and they make the Giants a balanced offensive team. 

For the Patriots, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead lead the rushing attack, and although they aren't utilized as much, they're relatively effective, too. 

Green-Ellis is a bruising runner who's fantastic in the red zone (11 TDs in 2011) and is deceptively shiftier to the outside than you'd expect. 

At 5'8'', Woodhead is the ideal draw and screen play back. 

Advantage: Giants 

Pass-Catchers

The most evenly matched aspect of Super Bowl XLVI, right ahead of the quarterbacks. 

New England and New York have a differing array of pass-catchers, but each respective group is quite the formidable threat. 

The Patriots tight end tandem of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are easily the best in the NFL. Gronkowski simply overpowers all would-be tacklers and covermen, while the smaller Hernandez has the speed of a wideout, the lateral agility of a running back and is built like a fullback. 

While both second-year tight ends emerge on the scene, you can't forget about Wes Welker, who led the NFL with 122 catches this year. 

He's a terrorizing underneath target that simply cannot be covered on those short, double-move routes. 

Even without a pure deep threat, (no offense, Deion Branch) the Patriots have one of the most unique and productive pass-catching contingents in the league. 

The Giants' group is more traditional, and their three headliners have extremely similar skill sets. Mario Manningham, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks are solid, all-around receivers with fantastic yards-after-the-catch ability and burner speed to make plays down the field. 

It's really that simple. 

Advantage: Push

If Gronkowski's ankle considerably slows him down, the advantage goes to the Giants. 

Pass Rush

The Giants clearly have more pass-rushing talent on their roster, but the Patriots can rush the quarterback with a variety of complex and confusing blitz packages. 

Jason Pierre-Paul is arguably the most disruptive player in the game, (Vince Wilfork has the right to argue that assumption) and the rest of New York's defensive line is as intimidating as it gets. 

The Patriots' Mark Anderson had a resurgent 2011 campaign, totaling 10 sacks during the regular season and is a legitimate force around the edge. 

Due to Wilfork's continual interior pressure, lesser pass-rushers like Rob Ninkovich have open lanes to the quarterback on occasion. 

Still, the Giants' probably have the most feared pass rush in the NFL. 

Advantage: Giants 

Run Defense

Vince Wilfork is the key cog to the Patriots' sometimes punishing run defense. They allowed 117.1 yards rushing per game in the 2011 season and they've played significantly better in the postseason. 

The Denver Broncos, the best rushing team in football, was held to 3.6 yards per carry in the Divisional round and Ray Rice gained 3.6 yards per rush in the AFC title game. 

When the Patriots' defensive line needs to come up big against the run, they do. 

New York surrendered 122.2 rushing yards per game, but like the Patriots, they typically play well in crunch time. 

Their aggressive pass rush often leads to major gaps in their line and draw plays are extremely effective against them. 

The 49ers ran for 150 yards on 5.4 yards per carry in the NFC title game. 

Advantage: Patriots 

Secondary

The Giants' secondary has greatly benefited by the pass rush in front of them, but they do have some talented players, most notably Antrel Rolle, Aaron Ross and Corey Webster. 

Vernon Davis did a number on New York's defensive backfield in San Francisco, but when the opposing quarterback is being pressured, it's not easy to complete passes against the Giants. 

The Patriots' secondary is bad, and their struggles are well documented. Again, when Mark Anderson or Rob Ninkovich drive opposing signal-callers out of their comfort zone, guys like Kyle Arrington and Devin McCourty have a knack to jump routes and make the game-changing interception, but in terms of pure coverage ability, they simply can't match up. 

Advantage: Giants

Kicking

There's really not much to say here. 

Both Steven Gostkowski and Lawrence Tynes are tremendous kickers with ice-water running through their veins. 

If Super Bowl XLVI comes down to a field goal, expect either one of these guys to nail the game-winner.