Giants vs. Patriots: Why Eli Manning, New York Will Reign Supreme

Super Sunday is finally here, and after we muddle through 37 hours (approximately) of pregame coverage, it will be time to get down to the business of deciding this season's champion of the National Football League as the New England Patriots and New York Giants take the field for Super Bowl XLVI.

As you may have heard, this is a rematch of the title game from four years ago, when the Giants spoiled the Patriots chance at a perfect season. While the two teams that take the field today are very different from the ones that squared off in Super Bowl XLII, there are a few reasons why I believe that the outcome of tonight's contest will be no different.

The first of those reasons was one of the biggest storylines from that game in Glendale, Arizona in 2008: the New York Giants' ability to pressure Tom Brady all day with their formidable front four.

The Giants sacked Tom Brady five times in that game and harassed him on countless other plays. Given the new presence of freakishly athletic defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, it's a good bet that New York will be able to once again generate a pass rush with the front four. This will allow New York to drop more linebackers into coverage or use more nickel and dime looks in an effort to slow New England quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots offense.

It will be just as important (if not more so) for the Patriots to get after New York signal-caller Eli Manning, as Manning has been playing some of the best football of his career of late. Manning has a pair of supremely talented wide receivers at his disposal in Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, who combined for over 2,700 receiving yards this season.

I have less faith in the Patriots' ability to consistently rush the passer, which would leave New England's 31st-ranked pass defense exposed far too long. Should that prove to be the case, Manning and the Giants' aerial attack will likely have quite a bit of success Sunday evening.

Finally, the ankle injury suffered by Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in the AFC Championship game simply cannot be underestimated.

While the Patriots possess other offensive weapons (such as wideout Wes Welker and tight end Aaron Hernandez) and "Gronk" is expected to play, if he's severely limited that's a huge blow to the New England offense, especially in the red zone.

I think it's going to be a close game, and I hope it will be a great one, but when you add all those factors together, I believe that Tom Brady will once again be denied his fourth Super Bowl ring.

Peyton Manning will be smiling through clenched teeth as he watches his little brother lift the Lombardi Trophy for the second time as the confetti falls after Super Bowl XLVI.

PREDICTION: New York Giants 24, New England Patriots 20