2012 Super Bowl: Preview, Final Score Predictions for Giants vs. Patriots

Doesn't it feel like just yesterday that the NFL lockout was threatening the 2011-12 season? 

Believe it or not, Super Bowl XLVI is officially just one day away. Let's quickly break down the New York Giants and New England Patriots, with a final score prediction to conclude the Super Bowl coverage. 

Matchups to Watch

Patriots cornerbacks vs. Giants slot receivers

It will be interesting to see how Bill Belichick goes about covering the Giants in the slot. Can he really risk playing Julian Edelman on Victor Cruz for an extended number of snaps? The Giants could do big damage in the game's biggest mismatch.

Patriots interior offensive line vs. Giants front four

The interior of the Patriots offensive line is an experienced group, but they'll have their hands full with the variety of looks that the Giants offer. On some downs, they'll throw Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul inside to stunt up the middle. You might as well include the Patriots' tackles in this matchup, too, because each of the five starters have to play well. 

Patriots tight ends vs. Giants safeties

Will Gronkowski play? He's officially questionable, but most expect him to give it a go. If he can play, expect to see a good helping of the Giants' "Big Nickel" defense—which employs three safeties—to help offset the overwhelming matchup problems Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez create. 

Under-the-Radar Players

Julian Edelman, Patriots

No player on the field Sunday will be asked to do more. A player straight out of Belichick's dreams, Edelman plays on offense (fourth receiver), defense (nickel cornerback) and special teams (returner, coverage team).  

Mathias Kiwanuka, Giants

In the first meeting between these two teams, Kiwanuka was the Giants' most active defense player. He registered a team-high 12 tackles and one of two interceptions of Tom Brady. Can he repeat that performance on Sunday? 

Deion Branch, Patriots

All the talk surrounding New England is about Gronkowski, Hernandez and Wes Welker, and rightfully so. But don't forget that Branch has 21 catches for 276 yards and a touchdown in his two career Super Bowl appearances with the Patriots.  

Kevin Boothe, Giants

NT Vince Wilfork is the key to everything New England wants to do up front, and Boothe will be called on frequently at left guard to keep Wilfork out of the Giants' backfield. Considering Boothe has allowed 11 combined quarterback hits and pressures in this postseason, he may have trouble accomplishing that task.

Final Score Prediction

The Patriots have won 10 straight games coming into the Super Bowl and arguably possess the greatest quarterback-coach combination in NFL history.

But I'm betting on the Giants knocking off the Patriots for the second time in four years at the Super Bowl.

Eli Manning is playing as well as, if not better than, Brady right now, and the Giants' trio of receivers is the smoking gun for me. Containing the Broncos and Ravens was one thing for the Patriots' 31st-ranked secondary, but Hakeem Nicks, Cruz and Mario Manningham are a much different animal. They could control the game throughout.

It'll be close, as every Super Bowl over the past 10 years has been. But give me the Giants to outlast the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.

Giants 27, Patriots 20