Super Bowl 2012: How Bill Belichick, Patriots Defense Can Slow Down the Giants

It's certainly no easy task and in his previous two games, Bill Belichick has failed to derail Eli Manning and Co. enough to beat the New York Giants.

Obviously Super Bowl XLII is the more notable game, but the 2011 regular-season matchup holds a lot of weight considering we have a rematch in Super Bowl XLVI. So how does Belichick's defense slow down the potentially explosive Giants?

Here's how.

Press Coverage

Not only press coverage but maintaining inside leverage to prevent any open routes underneath across the middle. New England needs to keep the Giants receivers at the line of scrimmage for as long as possible to assist the pass rush.

And not just pressing, then backing off to read the play—pressing and maintaining a physical presence to wear guys like Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks down. Both are extremely dangerous across the middle and down the seams, so using the sideline as an extra defender will be needed.

If not, Manning will step up and gun the ball between a safety and linebacker in coverage and allow his targets to make moves and get upfield. Limiting those opportunities is a must and being physically dominant at the line to make New York earn every yard is crucial.

Worst-case scenario from this approach is Manning targets tight end Jake Ballard more, who's obviously not a playmaker like Cruz, Nicks or Mario Manningham.

Inside Pressure

Blitzing up the middle right behind the big man, Vince Wilfork. It's a major concern for the Giants because Wilfork can control the middle enough to stop the run and get quarterback pressure.

His ability to control either A-gap creates double-teams and forces a running back in pass protection to step up as opposed to going outside. Therefore, Belichick must blitz up the middle and get Eli to move.

Much like Tom Brady, Eli is much better from the pocket and isn't afraid to step into a throw. However, he will move if pressure is applied and that only helps out the coverage even more.

Blitzing off the edge would be effective, however that leaves clear vision over the middle. In short, it's disrupting Manning's primary vision in the pocket thus forcing him to look outside and make a longer throw.

Every little nuance that forces a play to develop longer is the main idea behind inside pressure.

Linebacker Spies

This is where the Patriots can really take advantage if press coverage works. Regardless of who's blitzing or whether Belichick sends anyone at all, having a linebacker spy Manning and his running backs will pay dividends.

First, it briefly shields off the middle in case a receiver cuts across and, worst-case scenario, a catch is made but immediately gang-tackled.

However, if the press coverage holds off longer enough, the 'backers can then eye the running backs trying to leak out into the flats or underneath all the coverage. Once again, an immediate gang tackle is the worst-case scenario.

The best-case scenario, though, comes in the form of turnovers, as we saw what Brandon Spikes did to Joe Flacco in the AFC title game. When the linebackers drop into zone coverage, they must be aware of all the surroundings—so in other words, spying on the developing play.

Provided that the Patriots also get minimal pressure and flush Eli from the pocket and/or force a long throw, that only increases the odds of an interception with free 'backers breaking on the ball.

John Rozum on Twitter.