Super Bowl 2012: Predicting Every Scoring Play of Super Bowl XLVI

With Super Bowl XLVI less than 24 hours away, it's time to start predicting how the scoring will take place.

This game will boil down to each team's offense. Eli Manning and Tom Brady will both have ample opportunities to expose the opposing defense. 

Despite an incredibly strong pass rush, the Giants secondary can be easily be exposed. The same goes for the Patriots defense, as Vince Wilfork has been giving opposing offensive lines a huge (pun intended) problem so far in the playoffs.

At the end of the day, both Manning and Brady will have big games. The winner, however, will surely be determined the team who makes the biggest defensive stops.

Without further ado, here's how I predict the scoring will play out quarter by quarter.

First Quarter, 9:45 Remaining: Stephen Gostkowski Boots 44-Yard Field Goal

Tom Brady and the Patriots will put together a solid opening drive after winning the coin toss, which will result in a three-point boot by Gostkowski.

Welker will get involved in the game early, with two catches on the drive. BenJarvus Green-Ellis will also get involved early, totaling 15 rushing yards.

Bill Belichick will be faced with a tough decision on fourth-and-one before deciding to take the three points.

First Quarter, 3:25 Remaining: Eli Manning 17-Yard TD Pass to Mario Manningham

After failing to produce any points on their first offensive possession, the Giants will be given the ball on their own 45-yard line following an Antrelle Rolle interception. 

Eli Manning will perform his third-down magic twice, completing both a third-and-nine and a third-and-eight.

On second down, Manning will look to throw to Hakeem Nicks or Victor Cruz. Cruz will be in double coverage, and Nicks will have safety Patrick Chung lurking.

Manning will instead go through his progressions and find an open Manningham in the back of the endzone.

Second Quarter, 12:15 Remaining: Tom Brady 30-Yard TD Pass to Rob Gronkowski

Gronkowski, being held catch-less in the first quarter, will put his mark on the game early on in the second. 

Despite his ankle injury, Gronk will put the team on his back on the drive, catching 3 balls for 45 yards, one of which being a 30-yard touchdown that sees him barreling through the Giants secondary on his way to the endzone.

Second Quarter, 00:30 Remaining: Ahmad Bradshaw 4-Yard TD Run

Manning's no-huddle prowess will be put on display at the end of the first half, as we will see the Giants march 70 yards up the field in a matter of two minutes.

Highlighting the drive will be a big 32-yard catch and run by Victor Cruz.

Capping the drive will be a tough four-yard run by Ahmad Bradshaw on third down.

This play will end all scoring for the first half, making the score 14-10 in favor of the Giants.

Third Quarter, 10:15 Remaining: Aaron Hernandez 12-Yard TD Run

Following a three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half, Brady and the Patriots offense will come out with a vengeance. 

In an attempt to set the tone of the second half, the Patriots will rely heavily on the pass offense. Both Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez will be featured on the drive, with the latter showing off his versatility at the end of the drive, punching in a 12-yard touchdown run.

Third Quarter, 2:55 Remaining: Lawrence Tynes Boots 35-Yard Field Goal

Following the Hernandez touchdown, the Giants will put together a drive that will end when Brandon Jacobs fumbles around the 50-yard line.

The Patriots will then put themselves in position to kick a long field goal. Gostkowski will miss the 52-yard attempt, wide right, and the Giants will get the ball back.

This drive will be highlighted by several lesser-known Giants. Manning will look to all his receivers for help on the drive, as Henry Hynoski and Bear Pascoe will both compile one catch apiece.

The possession will be capped off by a 35-yard field goal by Tynes.

Tied 17-17, the game will head into the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter, 5:45: Stephen Gostkowski Boots 25-Yard Field Goal

With time slowly dwindling away in Super Bowl XLVI, the Patriots will put together the first scoring drive of the fourth quarter.

Following a long catch and run by Wes Welker, Gostkowski will be set up with a 25-yard field goal attempt.

Even with the missed field goal from the third quarter in the back of his mind, Gostkowski will make this chip shot field goal. 

Fourth Quarter, 1:20 Remaining: Eli Manning 15-Yard TD Pass to Hakeem Nicks

No, there will be no David Tyree-like helmet catch in this epic drive, but there will be a dramatic touchdown catch in the back of the end zone.

The Giants, showing the resilience that they have shown all playoffs, will fight hard on their final drive of the game.

Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs will carry the load for the offense, leading to a 15-yard, play action touchdown pass to Nicks.

The Giants Win the Super Bowl

In yet another shocking defeat, the Patriots will go home empty-handed against the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. 

Although, they will make it interesting.

On the ensuing kickoff, following the Nicks touchdown, kick returner Julian Edelman will have a nice 50-yard return to the Giants 45-yard line.

However, the Giants defense will stymie the Patriots offense.

Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck will each record a sack on the final possession, ending the Patriots' hopes of a comeback.

When all is said and done, the Giants will be the winners in Super Bowl XLVI, by a score of 24-20.