Super Bowl Point Spread: Underdog Giants Aren't Underdogs at All

Are the New York Giants truly the underdogs in Super Bowl XLVI?

The Las Vegas three-point spread favoring the Patriots is actually fair, but the Giants aren't true underdogs.

Big Blue has defeated New England in each of their last two meetings by a combined 3.5 points. The games are always close, and with Eli Manning and Tom Brady under center there is no lead too big for either QB to overcome.

With the clock ticking down, Eli and Brady are at their best.

The difference between these two teams and why the Giants aren't truly underdogs lies with their defense.

Both quarterbacks are capable of running away with this game—they're that good and these secondaries can be that bad—but it is the Giants defense that can change this game entirely.

There is no secret to Big Blue's work defensively. They're going to come after Tom Brady and, unless the Pats go max protection, they'll be able to find a way to Brady at some point.

The Patriots cannot say the same thing. They're not going to be able to get to Eli unless they blitz. In doing so they open themselves to man-to-man on the outside and Eli will burn them all day.

Vegas favored the Pats because they haven't lost a game since Week 9 of the season.

Ironically enough, that Week 9 loss came against the team they're going to see tonight in Super Bowl XLVI.

The Patriots may be favored on the line, but they're not the favorite on the football field.