Giants vs. Patriots: TV Schedule, Live Stream and More for Super Bowl 2012

The city of Indianapolis will be put under the microscope on Sunday night when the New York Giants and New England Patriots battle it out in Super Bowl XLVI. 

The Giants had to scratch and claw their way into the postseason, making it in by defeating Dallas in Week 17. They have been on a roll ever since, including victories over the top-two teams in the NFC in consecutive weeks to make it to this point. 

The Patriots cruised into the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They made quick work of Denver in the AFC divisional round before getting some strong defensive play (and a little luck) against Baltimore to win the conference championship for the first time since 2007. 

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN

When: Sunday, Feb. 4 at 6:29 p.m. ET

Watch:  NBC

Live Streaming: NBC Sports

Betting Line: New England (-2.5) via Bodog

Giants Injury Report (via USA Today)

Probable: LB Jacquian Williams (Foot)

Questionable: LB Chase Blackburn (Shoulder), RB Da'Rel Scott (Knee), LB Mark Herzlich (Ankle)

Patriots Injury Report (via USA Today)

Probable: WR Deion Branch (Knee), TE Rob Gronkowski (Ankle), WR Chad Ochocinco (Personal)

Questionable: CB Kyle Arrington (Eye), RB Shane Vereen (Hamstring), T Sebastian Vollmer (Back)

What's At Stake?

The Giants have a chance to establish themselves as one of the premier franchises in all of professional sports right now. A win in this game would be their second championship in four years. Eli Manning has a chance to cement his legacy as one of the best quarterbacks of this generation with another Super Bowl win. 

This is an opportunity for the Patriots to prove that they are still the crown jewel of the NFL. This franchise has now played in five Super Bowls since the 2001 season, winning three of them. Tom Brady can tie Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana's record of four Lombardi Trophies with a win. 

What They Are Saying

One of the common themes surrounding this game is whether Eli Manning, who is looking for his second Super Bowl, will eclipse his brother Peyton. It's a ridiculous thought, but it also shows you how much stock people put in one game instead of an entire career. 

Kurt Warner, who played a memorable Super Bowl against Tom Brady and was a member of the Giants during Manning's rookie season, thinks that talk is too premature.  

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‘‘When Tom Brady won his first Super Bowl against me in 2002, he threw for [145] yards,’’ said former Rams and Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who has one Super Bowl ring. ‘‘Yes, he won the Super Bowl and made plays down the stretch; I’m not slighting Tom Brady. I’m just making the point that he gets credit for having another Super Bowl win as a quarterback, but he wasn’t Tom Brady yet.

“I just think we have to be careful about saying, ‘Well, OK, Eli’s won two, whereas Peyton’s been to two but only won one.’ Peyton is one of the best, if not the best, quarterbacks this league has ever seen. Just because you win one more Super Bowl than him does not mean you’re better than him.’’

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New England Player To Watch: DT Vince Wilfork

The offense gets all the headlines, but it is going to be incumbent upon the defense to make some plays if they want to win this game. 

Wilfork is a monster in the middle of the defensive line. He asserted his will against Baltimore in the AFC Championship Game, reminding everyone why he is one of the best defensive tackles in the game. 

His ability to make plays and open up holes in the Giants' offensive line is going to decide how this game goes. 

New York Player To Watch: DE Jason Pierre-Paul

Forget Eli Manning, Tom Brady and the rest of the offensive stars, defense is the name of the game. Pierre-Paul is one of the fastest pass-rushers in the NFL. He is going to get in Brady's face, forcing him to rush throws and make mistakes. 

The reason the Giants won the Super Bowl four years ago was because of the way their defensive line played. If they want to do it again, they will need to replicate that performance. 

Key Matchup: New England Offensive Line vs. New York Defensive Line

Going right back where we left off, the only way that the Patriots can win this game is if they are able to give Brady time. He has more weapons on offense than ever before, even during that 2007 season, but he can't be effective if he can't throw the ball. 

The five guys up front are going to have to figure out a way to contain Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, et al. If they can do that, Brady will be able to attack the weak Giants secondary and the game will turn into a slaughter. If not, we will see something like we did four years ago. 

Prediction

These two teams are evenly matched. You can make an argument either way and you would be right. At the end of the day, the Giants will find a way to make Brady uncomfortable and capture their second Super Bowl in four years. 

Giants 27, Patriots 23

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