Super Bowl XLVI: Keys to the Game

We are now just two days away from Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. There are endless talking points heading into the big game: Can Tom Brady join his childhood hero Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw with four Super Bowl wins? Can Eli Manning surpass his big brother Peyton and get his second Super Bowl win?

We won't know the answers to these questions until after the game, but for now, here are the key battles to watch out for during the game.

Tom Brady vs Giants' Pass-Rush

The first key battle to watch is Patriots quarterback Tom Brady against the Giants' pass-rush. The Giants fearsome pass-rush has to be one of the main reasons why they have gotten to the Super Bowl. Their best pass-rushers are Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka.

The Giants will use a different number of these players on every play and they each head into the game with the same goal: Get pressure on Tom Brady. Brady will have to be at his best if he is to avoid this Giants pass-rush and find his targets downfield.

Rob Gronkowski vs Kenny Phillips

This will be another key battle to watch out for. Gronkowski has been cleared to play despite suffering an ankle injury in the AFC Championship Game. While he is almost certainly not 100 percent healthy, he should still cause problems for the Giants' defense.

I expect Giants safety Kenny Phillips to be given the task of covering Gronkowski throughout the game as I don't see any of the Giants' linebackers having the coverage skills to stop him.

Kenny Phillips must have a better performance in this game than he did in the NFC Championship Game, when he allowed 49ers tight end Vernon Davis over 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

Giants' Wide Receivers vs Patriots' Secondary

This is where the Giants should have the upper hand. Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham should all have big games as they go up against this poor Patriots secondary.

Although they have stepped up in the playoffs, the Patriots' secondary is still a weakness that the Giants and Eli Manning will be looking to exploit. Devin McCourty and co. will have to play the game of their lives if they are to stop the Giants' wide receivers.

Giants' Rushing Attack vs Patriots' Defense

The Giants had the worst rushing attack in the NFL during the regular season with just over 89 yards per game on the ground. However, they have improved in the playoffs and are averaging 117 yards per game on the ground.

I feel that if the Giants are going to have any chance of winning this game, then they simply must get over 100 yards rushing. That's going to be a tough task for Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, especially considering that the Patriots' defense held Ray Rice and Ricky Williams to just 89 yards rushing in the AFC Championship Game.

Bill Belichick vs Tom Coughlin

Alas, the battle of the head coaches. Tom Coughlin won this battle the last time these two teams met in the Super Bowl, and something tells me that Bill Belichick will be extra motivated to avenge that loss. Belichick is known for his rigorous preparation for games, and I see that being no different for this one.

Coughlin is known for looking angry and confused as he watches on from the sideline.

Although Coughlin is great in his own right, I thinks it's clear who the superior head coach is. If the game is to come down to a battle of wits between the two head coaches, then it is certainly an advantage to the Patriots.

Conclusion

I'm afraid it all comes down to this: Can I really see Brady/Belichick losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl again? Sorry Giants fans, but I'm afraid the answer is no.

Patriots 27 Giants 23

So those are the keys to the game.

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