Super Bowl 2012: 3 Matchups That Will Decide Super Bowl XLVI

The following three matchups will have the biggest say in who wins Super Bowl XLVI between the New York Giants and New England Patriots on Sunday in Indianapolis. 

Patriots cornerbacks vs. Giants slot receivers

It's hard to find a bigger question in this Super Bowl than how the Patriots are going to handle covering the Giants' receiving options in the slot.

New England was able to get by in the postseason with a cornerback trio of Kyle Arrington, Sterling Moore and Julian Edelman, but they were facing the Broncos and Ravens. That is, two teams that are obviously more handicapped passing the football than the Giants.

If the Patriots think they can stick Edelman—a converted receiver—on Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham for long stretches on Sunday and avoid big plays and a boatload of points, they're playing with fire.

Furthermore, that's a fire that could burn to the ground any hope of winning a Super Bowl against the Giants for the second time in four years.

Patriots tackles vs. Giants defensive ends

Those who enjoy watching the game away from the ball are going to enjoy the matchup between the Patriots tackles and Giants defensive ends.

It's looking likely that New England will have three tackles—Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer and Nate Solder—available on Sunday. That group will have their hands full with a relentless pass rush that throws Jason Pierre-Paul (16.5 sacks, 2011 All-Pro), Osi Umenyiora (2x All-Pro) and Justin Tuck (terrorized Tom Brady four years ago) at opposing quarterbacks.

You have to think that if the Patriots tackles can keep Brady cleaner than they did in Super Bowl XLII, New England will put up more points than the 14 they scored in 2008. However, if those three pass-rushers play as well as they have in the 2012 NFC playoffs, the Patriots could be in a world of trouble. 

Patriots tight ends vs. Giants safeties

Again, this is another fascinating Super Bowl matchup. Rob Gronkowski, who put together arguably the best season a tight end has ever had, is fighting an ankle injury but is expected to play. Aaron Hernandez is another matchup nightmare, who Bill Belichick literally lines up all over the field (Hernandez even takes handoffs from the backfield) and always seems to be open. 

The Giants can counter those tight ends with a "Big Nickel" defensive package that puts three safeties—Kenny Phillips, Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant—on the field at once. The three will be tasked with doing something few have in 2011-12 and that is keeping Gronkowski and Hernandez from controlling the game, especially in the red zone.