Super Bowl Kickoff Time 2012: New York Giants Will Shine in Primetime

One of the most unusual parts of the Super Bowl every year is the start time of the game. The New York Giants and New England Patriots have had their share of prime time games, but this is most unusual kickoff time will have Big Blue smiling when all is said and done.

This year's contest is set to begin at 6:29, which gives the network time to introduce the players and have Kelly Clarkson belt out the national anthem before we get into the meat and potatoes of the broadcast. 

NFL players are creatures of habit, and if you change one thing, it can have a profound impact on the way that they play the rest of the game. 

Both the Giants and Patriots are used to being thrust into the spotlight because they play in big markets and are routinely featured on Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football. But you have to notice trends in the way that they have played in prime time. 

This league is all about trends and finding what's hot or not. Right now, no team is hotter in prime time than the Giants. Dating back to the regular season, they have won their last four games under the bright lights. That includes two victories over Dallas to propel them into the postseason, a victory in Lambeau against the 15-1 Green Bay Packers and, of course, their thrilling overtime clash with the San Francisco 49ers.

The Patriots have also had their share of prime-time success this season. They defeated the Denver Broncos by 35 points in the AFC Divisional Round.

But when you factor in the pressure to perform on the field, as well as understand the burden on everyone's shoulders in this game when the ball is kicked off, the Giants have fewer question marks surrounding them. They have proven themselves time and again on the brightest stages that the NFL has to offer.

The Patriots, while they are a good team and would deserve to be called champions, had an easy game against the Broncos and got a gift in the AFC Championship against Baltimore. 

So, while some may say that the Super Bowl is just like any other game when the ball is kicked off, the Giants will prove that theory wrong when they win their third consecutive prime-time postseason game. 

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