Super Bowl XLVI: Spread Info, Line and Predictions for Giants vs. Patriots

The New York Giants and New England Patriots will meet in the Super Bowl for the second time on Sunday after locking horns four years ago. The Giants won that game and spoiled the Patriots' perfect season, so New England will most definitely be out for vengeance.

There is certainly something to be said for momentum when it comes to the NFL. When the G-Men won it all four years ago, they played the Patriots down to the wire in the regular season's final game.

That allowed them to gain confidence and complete a Super Bowl run. New York has now won five straight games and is playing its best football of the year.

New England has been much-maligned this season for its poor defense, but it should come as no surprise that quarterback Tom Brady and the offense has persevered. Simply winning the Super Bowl is all the motivation the veteran Pats need, but doing it against the team that made them a footnote in NFL history four years ago would be even sweeter.

While the Patriots are a slight favorite, this game could truly go either way. If the Giants defense plays the way it did against New England four years ago, then I would say that Big Blue is a shoe-in, but Brady and the Pats aren't going to go quietly.

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

When: Sunday, Feb. 5 at 6:29 p.m. EST

Watch: NBC

Spread: New England (-3)

This Super Bowl is similar to the one of four years ago in a lot of ways, but the fact that the Pats are only three-point favorites is a major difference. New England was a decided favorite in the last Super Bowl thanks to its undefeated record.

That obviously didn't affect the Giants though, as they won 17-14.

Either the Giants are receiving more respect than they did four years ago, or the Patriots are receiving less. More than likely though, it's a mixture of both.

I think that if both teams play to the best of their potential in all phases of the game, the Giants will be the better, more complete team. Because of that, I have to take New York getting three points.

Over/Under: 55

Everyone already knows how explosive New England's offense can be with Brady throwing to Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski, but the Giants are underrated in that regard as well.

Quarterback Eli Manning is playing the best football of his career, and he may have the best receiving corps in the league at his disposal with Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham.

With that said, though, the Giants beat the Patriots four years ago with great defense and ball possession. New York still has the potential to play great defense thanks to a host of strong pass rushers.

I think this game will definitely be higher scoring than the 17-14 game they played four years ago, but breaking 55 is a lot to ask. Go with the under.

Giants Key Injuries (According to CBS Sports)

Questionable: WR Hakeem Nicks (shoulder), LB Jacquian Williams (foot), DB Will Blackmon (knee), DB Corey Webster (hamstring)

Probable: RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), C David Baas (abdomen, neck), DL Osi Umenyiora (ankle, knee), LB Chase Blackburn (calf), DB Tyler Sash (concussion)

Patriots Key Injuries (According to CBS Sports)

Questionable: WR Deion Branch (knee), OL Marcus Cannon (ankle), DB Patrick Chung (knee), LB Dane Fletcher (thumb), TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle), DB James Ihedigbo (shoulder), DL Kyle Love (ankle), OL Logan Mankins (knee), LB Rob Ninkovich (hip), LB Brandon Spikes (knee), OL Sebastian Vollmer (back, foot), WR Wes Welker (knee), LB Tracy White (abdomen)

Probable: OL Dan Connolly (groin), WR Matthew Slater (shoulder)

Keys to Giants Win

I think it's fair to say that the Giants' chances in this game will rely heavily on the pass-rush.

When the Giants knocked off the Patriots in the Super Bowl last time, Brady was sacked on five occasions and was constantly pressured up the middle, which prevented him from stepping into many of his throws.

The G-Men ranked third in the league in sacks during the regular season and have a bevy of pass-rushers that can make life miserable for Brady, including Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck.

Brady was only sacked twice when these two teams met during this regular season, but he was pressured plenty, resulting in two interceptions. New York simply has to get Brady off his game.

Offensively, Manning will obviously have to have a good day against New England's 31st-ranked pass-defense, but the running game will be key. Keeping the ball out of Brady's hands is of the utmost importance, so Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs will need to have success on the ground.

Keys to Patriots Win

The Patriots will need to play to their strengths to win this game, and there is no question that their biggest strength is passing the football.

Brady had one of the most prolific passing seasons of all time this year as he threw for more than 5,000 yards, although he was overshadowed by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Both Welker and Gronkowski had huge receiving years, and tight end Aaron Hernandez was key as well.

It will be extremely important for Gronkowski to be healthy, or at least near-healthy. He has been nursing a high-ankle sprain, but every indication is that he will give it a go. His mere presence on the field gives New England an advantage as he can at least open things up for others.

On defense, the Pats should take a page out of the San Francisco 49ers' book and blitz Manning. The Giants still came out on top in the NFC Championship Game, but they could hardly move the ball late.

Prediction

Giants 27, Patriots 24