Quarterback: Patriots
Eli Manning has played exceptionally well ever since the regular season finale against the Patriots. In the last four games, Manning has thrown eight touchdowns and only one interception. Even though Manning has been playing well of late, Tom Brady had perhaps the greatest single season for a quarterback in history. It’s hard to argue against his record-setting 50 touchdown passes to only eight interceptions on the year. Plus, add Brady’s three Super Bowl rings, and the Patriots have the easy advantage at quarterback.
Running Backs: Giants
While Laurence Maroney has been almost unstoppable in the postseason with back-to-back 122-yard, one-touchdown games, he didn’t have the greatest regular season with only three 100-yard games and six total touchdowns. The Patriots’ other running back, Kevin Faulk, has turned into another receiver for Brady as Faulk had more receiving than rushing yards. Because of this, the Giants get a slight edge at running back. The tandem of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw helped pace the fourth-best rushing game in the league this year, averaging 134.2 yards per game.
Offensive Line: Patriots
The Patriots? offensive line has been one of the best in the league all season and will send three linemen to the Pro Bowl. They have protected Brady all season long, giving him ample time to find his receivers and only allowing him to get sacked 24 times in 18 games. They also have been doing a great job in the postseason opening up holes for Maroney. The Giants? offensive line has also done a great job opening up holes for their running backs all season. However, the Pats get the nod for how they?ve protected their quarterback all season.
Wide Receivers: Patriots
Plaxico Burress went off for 11 receptions and 151 yards against the Packers in the NFC championship game, but the Patriots boast the league’s most prolific passing attack for reasons other than Tom Brady. Randy Moss set the single-season record for most touchdown receptions (23), and Wes Welker led the league in total receptions with 112. Opponents have been able to shut down Moss in the playoffs to the tune of just two total catches, but doing that opens the field up for Welker, along with Jabar Gaffney and Donte’ Stallworth, to make plays. Bottom line, New York’s corps is nothing to sneeze at, but New England is just too good.
Tight End: Patriots
With the Giants’ Jeremy Shockey injured, the Patriots hold the advantage at the tight end position. Ben Watson, though quiet for most of the season, caught a pair of touchdown passes against Jacksonville. Kevin Boss, who caught only nine regular-season passes, has done a nice job filling in for New York and should be considered a threat, but when you throw New England linebacker Mike Vrabel, who has two career Super Bowl touchdown receptions while lined up at tight end, into the mix, the edge goes to the Pats.
Defense: Giants
When Eli Manning has been shaky, it has been the Giants? defense that has helped them win games. They have two of the best defensive ends in the game in Osi Umenyiora and veteran Michael Strahan. The two combined for 22 sacks on the season and will need to get constant pressure on Tom Brady for New York to stay in the game.
New England gets the edge at the linebacker position, with the tandem of Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau, Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas.
For the Patriots, Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs are dangerous at the corners, but the Giants’ Gibril Wilson and Sam Madison each had four interceptions on the season.
Special Teams: Giants
Lawrence Tynes almost cost New York a trip to the Super Bowl after missing two big kicks against Green Bay, including one at the end of regulation. But Tynes redeemed himself in overtime, connecting on a 47-yarder to send the Giants to Arizona. In the regular season, he was 8-for-8 on field goals of 40 yards or more. In a game like this, the Giants may need him to hit a few long ones.
Both team’s punters are pretty even. New York’s Jeff Feagles averaged 40.4 yards per kick, while New England’s Chris Hanson averaged 41.4. They also have nearly identical net averages (Feagles with 36.5, Hanson with 37).
Coaching: Patriots
This one isn’t much of a contest. Considering the Giants? poor start this season, Tom Coughlin has done a great job guiding them to the Super Bowl, but he’s no match for the coach who has guided his team to 18 straight wins and already has three title rings to his name. Bill Belichek may go down as one of the greatest coaches in league history when he’s done, and he’s come a long way from the ?Spygate? scandal earlier in the season. Hands down, this one goes to New England.
