Brady and Manning have the opportunity to build upon their legacies

Ever since that Super Bowl in 2008 ended, I had this funny feeling that there had to be more to the story.  There’s no way it can just end like this, I thought.  The camera would pan to Tom Brady like some slasher from a horror movie that everyone thought was dead, and his eyes would open.  I just knew that it couldn’t end like that – there had to be a sequel to tie up the loose ends.  I can’t even count how many times I have heard fans talk about the unlikely Giants win in ’08 and dismiss it as “just a fluke.”  There was no way that the Belichick-Brady combo was through.  I expected some sort of rematch down the line but the way this story has played out, it feels less like a cheesy Halloween movie, and more like a much anticipated followup to a masterpiece ala The Godfather II.

Think about all of the storylines there are to play with, and how much of an impact this game will have on Manning and Brady’s legacies.  If New England exacts their revenge and comes out on top, it becomes very difficult to argue against Brady – and Belichick, for that matter – being the best ever. Of course he has earned a place among the all-time greats, and that won’t change, but don’t pretend that losing two Super Bowls against Eli Manning will be left out of the Brady biography when it is all said and done.

On the other side of things, just imagine what a Giant victory would do for Manning.  He would join Roethlisberger and Brady as the only active quarterbacks with more than one ring, which would lead us right from “Is Eli elite?” to the “Is Eli a Hall of Famer?” debate.  He would be crowned as the best QB that New York has ever had, and put yet another scalp on an already-impressive collection.  Oh, and people would start to legitimately ponder the idea that Eli may be the bigger Manning after all. Imagine that.

Matchup – The storyline that has been played more than any other for Super Bowl XLVI is the Brady-Manning matchup, and for good reason – these guys are the best playoff QBs in the league – but this game goes much deeper than that.  It’s not like Brady and Manning are not going to be playing against each other directly, although much emphasis will be put on which one of the two outplays the other.  Manning is pitted against a “bend-but-don’t-break” Patriots defense that has done its job in recent weeks, as their defense has stiffened at the right times and have allowed far less points per game on their current playoff run than they did throughout the regular season.

As impressed as I am with the improved New England defense, Eli Manning’s performance against San Fran convinced me that he could cause serious problems for the Patriots.  If the running game for New York can make its presence felt, there will be tremendous pressure on New England to keep up with their opponents offensively.

Usually, the Patriots’ offense doesn’t have too much of a problem scoring.  This isn’t an average defense though – not anymore.  On their current hot streak, Big Blue has pressured opposing quarterbacks in ways that are eerily similar to those of the ’08 group.  After stifling Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau field, the Giants Defense made it look like Alex Smith had reverted to his former self.  Another key to the game: If Brady gets taken out of his comfort zone by the pass rush, the Pats will have little chance to win.  However if Pierre-Paul and the defensive line can’t get to him, Brady will be able to dissect New York’s defense – with or without Gronk.

What I really think will happen is Eli Manning will pick apart the Patriots’ secondary surgically, without having to worry about missing a key pass-catcher or the pass rush.  Brady has tougher circumstances.  He will have to outscore the Giants’ offense and pay close mind to how long he holds on to the ball.  The big plays won’t be there with how well this defense has been playing, so I expect a lot of quick passes to Wes Welker and handoffs to Green-Ellis to try and set the tone.

Bottom Line: Manning has the better receivers, and the pass rush will be an issue for New England.  Besides, they’re playing in the house of a Manning, so that has to count for something.

Prediction – NYG: 27  NE: 24