Super Bowl XLVI Keys to the Game

6
Dome Stadium


     The Patriots have not played in a dome this year. Even in cold weather, the Patriots were still usually to be very effective offensively. Now in the dome, I expect the Patriots to be even more explosive. I expect the same to happen for the Giants to some extent, but I think the Patriots will have more of this advantage.
Edge: Patriots


5
Health of Rob Gronkowski


     Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end in the NFL. He makes those around him better and he is a presence anytime he is on the field. So if he isn't at 100 percent, advantage Giants. More attention goes to containing Wes Welker. If they can take away Welker, they can take away Brady's quick throws, allowing him to hold on to the ball longer and making him more at risk at getting sacked. If he is at 100 percent, all the stuff I just said before has less of a chance of happening, giving the Patriots more of a chance to win. I expect Gronk to not be 100 percent, but not be so banged up that he isn't effective.
Edge: Push


4
Brady is Pissed Off


     He knows he didn't play well. He knows he needs to do better. I can't see Brady letting himself have another subpar performance. At the very least, if the Giants win, they will need to outscore Brady and the Patriots.
Edge: Patriots


3 
Patriots Pounding Eli Manning
Giants O-Line v.s. Patriots Pass Rush
David Diehl and Kareem McKenzie v.s. Rob Ninkovich and Mark Anderson

     One of the major things I noticed that the 49ers were doing to Eli Manning in the NFC Championship was that they were pounding him all game long. To his credit, Eli Manning got up every single time and it was enough for the Giants to win the game. Hats off to Eli Manning because it was very impressive. However, the 49ers were two muffed punts away from probably playing in this game. Also, the Giants only managed to score 20 points and only 17 in regulation. That won't be enough to stop the Patriots (I think) given the fact that this game is in a dome. The 49ers constant pressure on Eli Manning worked. It didn't win them the game, but it really contained the Giants, making Manning get the ball away quickly, limiting Hakeem Nicks. Now, Andre Carter certainly could've helped in this game, but the Patriots should be able to demise a scheme or two that allows Mark Anderson and Rob Ninkovich to be in Eli Manning's face. 
Edge: Patriots 


2 
Patriots Containment of Giants Receivers
Giants Receivers v.s. Patriots Defensive Backs
Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks v.s. Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington


     The combination of Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks catching passes from Eli Manning have been the major reason the Giants are at this point right now. When both of these teams met back earlier in the season, Hakeem Nicks was out injured and Victor Cruz hadn't quite yet emerged as the threat he is now. The Patriots aren't exactly sound in the secondary, they are usually poor in coverage against big receivers (Nicks) and they are not great tacklers against speedy slot receivers (Cruz). If the Patriots can't contain both Nicks and Cruz, the Patriots offense will need to score at least in the 30's to win the game.
Edge: Giants


1 
Protection of Tom Brady
Patriots O-Line v.s. Giants D-Line
Matt Light and Nate Soldier v.s. Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora

     When Brady has protection, he will pick apart anyone. When he is uncomfortable in the pocket, the Patriots are beatable. You can look back to Super Bowl 42, you can look back to the Patriots loss to the Jets last postseason and you can look at a couple of the losses the Patriots had this year and the main thing they had in common was that Brady was uncomfortable in the pocket for most of the game. The Giants have the best front four in all of football and its going to come down to mainly the outside edge. The Patriots offensive line, in particular Matt Light, have neutralized premier pass rushing threats of late. One thing that wasn't talked about after the Patriots defeated Denver was how no one would've even known Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil were playing in the game. The Patriots offensive line was nearly as good against Baltimore, minimizing Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata. If the Patriots protect Brady, they will score more than enough points for them to win, as long as the Patriots defense steps up and contains the Giants potent attack.
Edge: Push