Super Bowl 2012: Drawing Up the Patriots' Super Bowl XLVI Gameplan

When you look at how these two teams both matchup, the biggest concern for the Patriots has to be their corners and safeties against the Giants receivers, particularly covering Victor Cruz in the slot. 

Julian Edelman has done an admirable job converting from a wide receiver to corner, but Belichick would be foolish to ask Edelman to cover him man-to-man. 

If I am the Patriots, I would use a lot of bracket concepts to contain Cruz in the middle to avoid him making another huge play after the catch. I would force the Giants to make a more difficult throw to Nicks or Manningham outside the numbers, and if they can convert those plays, so be it. 

It is still important to mix coverage against a good quarterback like Eli Manning; if the Patriots stay too vanilla or predictable, Manning is going to get into a rhythm and knock the Pats defense off balance. 

On offense, the Patriots are going to want to attack the weakest link in the Giants secondary, Aaron Ross. If they can get him matched up with Wes Welker or Aaron Hernandez, that favors well for the Patriots. 

The toughest task will be stopping the Giants pass rush. I expect the Patriots to use Nate Solder as a sixth offensive lineman give Brady extra time, as well as chips off the line from Rob Gronkowski. The running game can be very useful in slowing down the rush and taking advantage of their aggressiveness, especially when they are lined up in their "Four Aces", or all defensive ends, alignment. 

If the Patriots can stick to this formula, they have a great chance of bring home another Lombardi Trophy.