Giants vs. Patriots Predictions: Vince Wilfork Will Own the Trenches

New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork was arguably the best player on the field during the AFC Championship Game. The massive 30-year-old absolutely dominated the line of scrimmage and blew up everything the Baltimore Ravens tried to do all day.

Wilfork finished the game with six tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss and a hit on quarterback Joe Flacco. 

On Sunday, the interior of the New York Giants offensive line will have its hands full with Wilfork, who is no stranger to big games or dominating in them. New York center David Baas didn't play the entire NFC Championship Game as he shuttled in and out with an injury. Helping Baas out will be guards Kevin Boothe and Chris Snee.

The Patriots alternate between a 3-4 and a 4-3 front, and Wilfork can move around to both inside spots in those formations. The Giants will likely have to double the Miami product as often as they can, or else he'll be causing havoc all game long.

New England's defense ranked 31st against the pass (allowed 293.9 yards per game) and 17th against the rush (allowed 117.1 yards per game) during the regular season. But if Wilfork is on his game, it can change the entire way the team plays.

If he is blowing things up in the middle it helps the rest of the front seven, and can make things easier for the Patriots secondary if the big man in the middle is getting pressure on an opponent's quarterback.

The Giants will need to do something to contain Wilfork if they want to have any hope of winning Super Bowl XLVI. If not, the Patriots could own things in the trenches, which would make things much easier on the team's defense.