Patriots vs Giants: 4th Quarter of Super Bowl XLVI Favors New York

As if we need any more proof that both Tom Brady and Eli Manning can put on a game-winning drive, Super Bowl XLVI may have just that.

The only problem for the Patriots though, is that the Giants don't just rely on the final minutes. New York saves its' best for the last 15 minutes of regulation.

Here's a look at why and how this quarter favors New York as this rematch may be the best Super Bowl yet.

New York Giants

For the 2011 season, the Giants have averaged 9.9 points per game in the fourth quarter which ranks No. 2 in the league. However, in their previous three contests, New York has averaged 10.3 points in the final quarter which comes as no surprise considering their current postseason run.

Here is when we see Eli Manning at his best. He's more elusive in the pocket and holds onto the ball until the last second before making a great throw.

As we saw against San Francisco, the Giants were also able to thrive off turnovers. Yes, both those turnovers were the result of some luck, but great teams are able to capitalize on every opportunity.

Defensively the Giants weren't too impressive from an all-encompassed perspective. Luckily, the "what have you done for me lately" factor is more credible, because in the playoffs New York's defense has allowed just 3.3 points per game in the fourth quarter.

Perhaps the most impressive performance came against the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round. There, New York put up 17 points in less than six minutes (from the 7:48 mark to the 2:36 mark) and upset the Packers 37-20.

Another dominating performance like that against the Patriots and the Giants steal another one from Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

New England Patriots

Now, although the Giants do play better in the final quarter, New England is quite sufficient themselves.

Also averaging 10.3 points in the fourth quarter of their previous three games, the Pats averaged 8.4 on the year and allowed zero against Baltimore to win the AFC.

The question here is whether the Patriots can maintain that level of consistency as it was a major issue throughout the regular season.

Unlike the Giants, New England didn't suffer from injuries all season long and gave up an average of over 400 total yards each game. Having a vulnerable pass defense certainly hurt despite being opportunistic, much like the Packers.

When hosting the Giants in the regular season, New England's defense gave up 14 fourth quarter points in the final three minutes to lose 24-20. Once again Eli Manning bested Bill Belichick in the final minutes, so that mental lapse may intangibly affect Super Bowl XLVI.

Fortunately for New England however, they have not allowed a fourth quarter point in their previous three games and Belichick's red zone defense has stepped up big time in 2011. Unfortunately though, not against Eli Manning and the Giants.

For as even as these numbers appear to be, New York has a major fourth quarter advantage as it's one of the few teams who have been able to best the Patriots in the final 15 minutes.

John Rozum on Twitter.