New York Giants Super Bowl Bound
Six Keys to Victory Over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII
New York could upset the 14-point favorite Patriots with an exceptional effort. On the playing field the Giants must effectively execute in six key areas.
As the New England Patriots now have less than two weeks until Super Bowl XLII – the biggest game in the franchise’s 48-year-long history – let the hype begin! (Actually, it already has, with the Pats a 13-14 point favorite over the New York Giants.)
Methinks the game is going to be closer than that, especially in light of the facts that the Giants (a.) have played exceptionally well during their three-game playoff run, and (b.) they nearly beat New England when the two teams met during Week 17 of the regular 2007 season, with the Patriots eking out a 38-35 win over stubborn New York.
There’s no question the Giants are on a roll, and momentum plays a huge part in the game of football. Quarterback Eli Manning has been stupendous throughout the playoffs, and New York’s defense has been relentless. The club’s play in the NFC Championship game was absolutely stunning, particularly playing in a wind chill that dipped to –24 degrees Fahrenheit.
So, where do they go from here? The obvious answer is Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona. But how do the Giants overcome a spectacular 18-0 club that seemingly can’t lose. In spite of the scares the Patriots suffered in contests against not only New York, but from the Indianapolis Colts, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens, New England found a way to beat each of those teams.
Key No. 1…
Manning must continue the coolheaded play he’s recently exhibited. Prior to the final regular season game against New England, he was error-prone, rattled easily and played poorly in the elements. By playing in Glendale, the weather aspect will be a non-factor. But he still has to keep his cool and not let the Patriots’ defense get him off his game. Manning must maintain the pinpoint passing accuracy he’s exhibited throughout the playoffs. He’s got top quality targets in wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, and he’s got to hit them consistently.
Key No. 2…
Burress and Toomer must come up big, Burress in particular. At 6’5” and 232 lbs., Burress towers over defenders. He’s also got tremendous speed for a big man. He needs to employ both those attributes to the Giants’ best advantage. Burress caught 70 passes during the regular season for 1,025 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 14.6 yards-per-reception. Toomer, one of two Giants who remain from their 1990 Super Bowl championship squad, remains a threat in spite of his age. He played a key role in last week’s NFC Championship win over the Green Bay Packers, and uses his experience and savvy to get open. With the loss of tight end Jeremy Shockey (broken leg) in Week 17, Toomer becomes even more important to a New York passing attack that was ranked 21st in the NFL during the regular 2007 season.
Key No. 3…
The Giants’ emerging running game has to batter the Patriots’ defensive line and be a force on the ground. Brandon Jacobs, 6’4”, 264 lbs., is a monster, and difficult to stop inside. Ahmad Bradshaw, who’s got speed, stays on his feet, and is a definite outside running threat, complements him. Both came up big against the Packers Sunday, and they have to perform well against New England and give New York a balanced offensive attack. They’ve also got to eat up time on the clock to keep the ball out of the hands of Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady and New England’s wide array of offensive weaponry. Considering the fact that the Giants’ rushing game is ranked fourth in the league, contrasted with the Pats’ tenth-ranked run defense, New York must mount an effective ground attack.
Key No. 4…
The Giants’ defensive front must pressure Brady, who, if well protected, is death on the opposition’s efforts. The Gothams, who topped the NFL with 53 sacks, have to find a way to get to Tom Terrific. Defensive ends Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck and Osi Umeniora – who rotate – must play extraordinarily. New York’s linebacking corps has to be flexible against perhaps the most potent offense in the history of the NFL. Along with the Giants’ secondary, they’ve got to be ready to blitz the Patriots and force Brady to make the same out-of-character mistakes he made against San Diego in the AFC Championship game, when he threw three interceptions. (Brady threw but eight during the regular season.) Plus he was wearing a walking cast on his right foot early this week, although the team has remained mum about his physical problems.
Key No. 5…
New York’s defensive backs have to come up big against a dangerous New England receiving corps. The Giants’ defensive backfield has been banged-up, but they did a superb job against Green Bay. They must replicate that against the Patriots. Facing wide receivers the likes of Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte’ Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney, along with speedy New England tight end Ben Watson and running back Kevin Faulk, New York’s cornerbacks and safeties have to shut down the Pats. Not an easy task, by any means.
Key No. 6…
The Giants’ special teams have to perform well. Kicker Lawrence Tynes can’t miss field goal attempts like last week, when he missed two. If it hadn’t been for a gift wrapped interception thrown by Green Bay QB Brett Favre, it’s quite possible Tynes wouldn’t have gotten a third opportunity. Punter Jeff Feagles has to be a lot more effective than he was against the Packers, when he shanked several punts. In fairness to both, they were playing outdoors at Lambeau Field, not in a cozy, climate-controlled arena like they will on Feb. 3. And return specialists Randy McQuarters and Domenik Hixon have to gain yardage on punt and kick returns, respectively.
Other intangibles…
There’s no question the Giants face an uphill battle. The players will have to play an exceptional game against a team striving to post a perfect 19-0 overall record. The coaches must prepare a solid, effective game plan, yet be flexible enough to make what could prove to be major adjustments during Super Bowl XLII. And this surprising, Cinderella-like organization has to be focused intently on the task at hand, and not get sidetracked by all the hoopla surrounding the annual NFL classic.
