Super Bowl Predictions 2012: 3 Reasons Why the New York Giants Can Win

The following three reasons are why the New York Giants can beat the New England Patriots at Super Bowl XLVI this Sunday in Indianapolis:

1. Comfort in numbers

Back in 2008, Eli Manning got by with a quartet of receivers that included Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith and David Tyree. His three receiver set in 2012 blows those four away. Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham give Manning and the Giants arguably the top trio of receivers in the NFL.

If there's one area where the Patriots lack depth, it's at cornerback. The Giants' receivers will each see coverage from the likes of Kyle Arrington, Sterling Moore and Julian Edelman. Say what you want about those three players and the way Bill Belichick uses them, but the Giants have the Super Bowl's biggest mismatch here—and it's not even close. 

2. Confident for a reason

The Giants' New York neighbors get the most attention for being a boisterous bunch, but the G-Men do their fair share of talking and strutting. Unlike the Jets, however, these Giants have a reason to be as confident and talkative as they have been over the final five games of the season.

Take a look at how they got to the Super Bowl: Dominated the Jets, never let the Cowboys into the game in a playoff decider, shut out the Falcons defensively and beat the Packers on the road by three scores. Only the 49ers gave the Giants a serious run during their five-game winning streak.

You think they are going to shell up now that the big, bad Patriots are the opponent in the Super Bowl? They've been there and done that, too. You can hate the Giants for that confidence, but you can't tell me they haven't earned it.       

3. Tools to cope

The Patriots have won 15 games this season for a reason. New England's offense spreads out teams while still utilizing two tight end sets, and a good portion of its success comes from the mismatches those sets create. Luckily for the Giants, they have the kind of people on defense to combat the Patriots' mismatches. 

The Giants' front four and its ability to rush the passer without bringing extra blitzers is well-documented. But New York can also go to its "Big Nickel" package that brings three safeties—Antrel Rolle, Deon Grant and Kenny Phillips—onto the field. All three of those players can be physical at the line with the Patriots' tight ends, while still having the ability to cover down the field.

The Patriots will still have success with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez at times, but few teams have the tools to keep this offense quite like the Giants do.