Giants vs Patriots Predictions: 5 Bold Predictions for the Giants Defense

The New York Giants' defensive line has been dominant all season and its defense as a whole has peaked at the right time.

It held the Atlanta Falcons to two points (which came on a safety), Green Bay to 20 points and San Francisco to 17, and now they find themselves in a battle against a New England Patriots team ranked third in the NFL during the regular season, lighting opposing squads up for 32 points a game.

While the Giants don't boast a secondary to brag about, Corey Webster had six interceptions, and the Giants' defense collected 31 takeaways during the regular season.

They've followed suit into the playoffs, forcing six turnovers, while only turning the ball over once themselves.

If they have it their way, New York's defense will dictate the outcome of Super Bowl XLVI.

Here are five bold predictions for the Giants' defense this Sunday:

They'll Sack Tom Brady Five or More Times

The 2011 Giants boast a sack-heavy defensive line, similar to the one that was victorious in Super Bowl XLII.

That line includes three relentless individuals, in Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul, all who played an enormous role in the 48 sacks the Giants racked up during the regular season, which was tied for the third-best.

New York has continued that momentum in the playoffs, ranking atop the NFL with nine sacks.

Tom Brady, on the other hand, was sacked 32 times during the regular season.  Although he's only been sacked once in the playoffs, he's facing a completely different beast in the G-Men.

Brady was only sacked 21 times during the 2007 regular season, yet the Giants were able to reach him five times in Super Bowl XLII. 

Given the talent on the defensive line, combined with a blitzing linebacker in Michael Boley (who sacked Aaron Rodgers twice in the Divisional Round), it wouldn't be surprising to see Brady on his back numerous times this Sunday. 

Jason Pierre-Paul Will Sack Brady at Least Twice

Although he has just a half sack in the postseason, Jason Pierre-Paul has surfaced as one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL.

He was No. 4 in the NFL in terms of sacks with 16.5, including five multi-sack performances during the regular season.

JPP reached Brady once in the Week 9 clash that saw the Giants edge the Patriots, 24-20.

If this guy can sack a mobile QB like Tony Romo twice in one game, I don't think he'll have a problem getting to a stationary Tom Brady. 

They'll Hold Brady to Two Touchdown Passes

It's happened before.

There were nine games this season that saw Tom Brady throw two or less touchdowns, with one of them being Week 9 against none other than the Giants.

The Baltimore Ravens' defense was able to hold Brady down in the AFC Championship game, as he didn't throw a single touchdown and was intercepted twice.

It's no coincidence that Brady's lowest passer rating of the 2011 regular season came in a 24-20 loss to the Giants. 

New York boasts a more seasoned defensive line and will be able to get pressure on Brady all game long, keeping him from lighting up its defense like he's been accustomed to doing to opposing teams his entire career.

They Won't Allow More Than 17 Points

In three games this postseason, the Giants are allowing just 13 points to the opposition.

That's an immense improvement for a squad that surrendered on average 25 points per game during the regular season.

On the other hand, there were six games in which New York held opponents to 17 points or less.

The first time they met this season, the G-Men limited the Pats to 20 points, which was 12 points less than their season average.

Holding a potent offense like the Patriots to 17 points or less would undoubtedly culminate into another Super Bowl victory for the Giants.

They Won't Allow Rob Gronkowski to Score a TD

Rob Gronkowski hasn't practiced since injuring his left ankle in the AFC Championship win over the Ravens.

Gronkowski appeared at media day on Tuesday without a walking boot, but wasn't ready to deem himself healthy enough to play on Sunday.

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"I don't know yet, we're going day to day," he said. "We're making new steps every day and feeling better every single day. You just want to keep going in the right direction. I want to be out there with the team, obviously."

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Given the status of Gronkowski, it's up in the air whether he'll be able to play at a high level. My guess is that he will make it onto the field and be effective, but will most likely be feeling the effects of the high ankle sprain.

Even if Gronk comes out feeling good, the Giants aren't about to give up big plays to New England's scariest weapon, especially after letting San Francisco 49er's TE Vernon Davis burn them for two touchdowns in the NFC Championship.

Expect the Giants to blanket Gronk all game long if he plays.