Super Bowl Predictions 2012: 5 Statistical Predictions for Giants vs. Patriots

Another season in the National Football League has reached its apex, and only two teams remain standing, with the New York Giants and New England Patriots preparing to square off in Super Bowl XLVI.

There have been approximately 7,427,632 articles predicting the statistics and outcome of tonight's matchup, but like a lineman going after a fumble late, I'm jumping on the pile anyway, with a handful of statistical predictions for tonight's game of games.

1. Eli Manning: Less Than 300 Passing Yards

This one may look bad to Giants fans at first glance, but it would probably be a blessing.

If New York quarterback Eli Manning posts a huge passing number Sunday night, it most likely means that the Giants find themselves either playing catch-up or embroiled in a shootout with the Patriots and Tom Brady.

However, should the Giants be able to establish the run, control the clock, utilize the passing game judiciously and keep the score in the mid-to-low 20s, then that's the sort of game that will net the G-Men big ol' shiny rings.

2. BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Less Than 40 Rushing Yards

Given the New York Giants' fearsome front four, one of the keys to Sunday night's game could be the New England Patriots' ability to use the rushing attack to prevent New York's stalwart defensive ends from just pinning their ears back and getting after Tom Brady.

Unfortunately, I don't trust the talent level of Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis or head coach Bill Belichick's patience with him or the run game enough to envision "The Law Firm" having much of an impact in the Super Bowl.

3. Mario Manningham: More Receiving Yards Than Rob Gronkowski

Okay, I'll admit that this one's the biggest reach on my list.

The emergence of wide receiver Victor Cruz for the New York Giants has relegated Mario Manningham to third-wheel status in the New York receiving corps, although the fourth-year pro still managed 523 receiving yards and four scores in 2011.

However, the nation's most famous ankle could well limit New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski to a "decoy" role, even if he can stay on the field (and boy, that would be one big a** decoy).

So, it's not hard to see Manningham posting the better day of the two statistically, even though it will almost certainly be Gronkowski (or his absence) that has the bigger overall impact on the game.

4. Jason Pierre-Paul: More Than 1.5 Sacks

In the last Super Bowl matchup between these two teams, one of the big stories of the day was the New York Giants pass rush, which sacked Tom Brady five times and was in his face all day en route to an upset win by the G-Men.

Second-year pro Jason Pierre-Paul wasn't even in the NFL at that point, but after an explosion of a 2011 season in which JPP tallied an eye-popping 86 tackles and 16.5 sacks, you can bet that he'll make an impact in his first Super Bowl with Big Blue.

5. New York Giants: Super Bowl XLVI Champions

I've said it too many times at this point to back down or change my mind, so I'm sticking to my guns.

The Giants will be able to establish more of a ground game than the Patriots, and the New York defensive line will win the battle in the trenches on the other side of the ball.

That, combined with a solid, if unspectacular game from Eli Manning will be enough for the Giants to finish the 2011-2012 NFL season as world champs.

Giants 24, Patriots 20