Super Bowl Kickoff Time 2012: Last-Minute Info for Giants vs. Patriots

Super Bowl Sunday is finally here after an extra week in between the AFC and NFC championship games. The New York Giants and New England Patriots are ready to suit up and get this show on the road; I’m sure you are as well.

Here is some last minute information for you to remember before kickoff.

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

Watch: NBC

Kickoff time: 6:29 p.m. ET

National Anthem: Kelly Clarkson

Halftime Show: Madonna

Betting Line

Lines have stayed at New England (-2.5 or 3) depending on the source.

Unexpected Move

Wide receiver Tiquan Underwood was cut on Super Bowl Eve, according to Ian R. Rapoport of the Boston Herald.

Rob Gronkowski Injury

Gronkowski showed “no limp” for 75 minutes on the field Saturday, according to Mike Whitmer of Boston.com.  

Gronkowski’s injury is kind-of-sort-of like Ben Roethlisberger’s late in the season. It’s going to be very interesting to see how much his high ankle sprain will impact his cuts and breaks. There is one thing about going to through the motions in practice but playing in a game is a completely different story.

He, most likely, won’t look 100 percent come kickoff time.

Super Bowl XLVI is going to be difficult to rival Super Bowl XLII when the Giants stunned the Patriots and their undefeated team, but this should still be a great game.

Both offenses are superb, with two franchise quarterbacks (Tom Brady and Eli Manning) who have won at least one Super Bowl. New England and New York don’t have quality rushing attacks but have players capable of rushing the football if given the opportunity.

The difference is defense.

New York can get after Brady with their front four which will allow seven to drop in coverage. Their ability to rush the passer with Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and others allow the Giants to have some of the best success against Brady and the Patriots offense.

Will it be enough?

We’ll find out at 6:29 p.m. ET.