First and foremost, I’d like to thank the bears at weworemasks and the readers out there who take time to read these. (Even if it’s just glancing at the predictions). It’s awesome to be able to live out my “dream job” of writing about sports, even if it is on my cousin’s blog. Thanks fam!

A rematch of the 2007 Superbowl. Awesome. (It’s the easiest opener for this matchup) This time it is a different type of atmosphere. You don’t have an undefeated season on the line, you don’t have a superior team, and you don’t really have that underdog role. Both teams look different,but play in similar styles (That’s because they have the same coach – get it?).

The AFC Championship was an amazing game. Joe Flacco brought it, but Billy Cundiff didn’t. Cost the Ravens a chance to play this week and leaves everyone to wonder how much longer can that defense stay dominant? The NFC Championship was another great game. Lawrence Tynes was able to kick the Giants in the post-season for the second time in his short career. Alex Smith wasn’t getting any help from his offensive line or his wide receivers. His receivers combined for a total of 1 catch. That won’t get you to play for the Lombardi Trophy.

The Probowl was last weekend. I would say something about it, but that would be like me analyzing a flag football game. They need to make that game fun for the fans. Period.

Read after the jump for my analysis breakdown of both teams, which are followed by predictions.

-theVHB

New York Giants (12-7) vs. New England Patriots (15-3)
Lucas Oil Stadium; Indianapolis, IN
February 5, 2012; 6:30 P.M. ET

The Patriots are a hot offensive team. Tom Brady has utilized almost every offensive weapon one can think of. It’s almost ridiculous. The injury of Rob Gronkowski hurts the Patriots. All-around Tom Brady’s security blanket. Even if he is able to go, he’ll be hobbling around quite a bit, which plays against the Patriots. It’ll be up to Aaron Hernandez, Wes Welker, Deion Branch, and maybe (just maybe!) Chad Ochocinco. Ochocinco hasn’t had any production in this prolific offense, which has everyone scratching their heads. He can still be a threat and will have to bring his A-game with Gronk ailing. The Patriots defense is blah. I don’t know how else to describe it. It’s one of the worst in the league, and I really have no idea how the Patriots have made it this far with such a bad defense. Playing Denver and Baltimore aren’t great tests. Baltimore’s offense almost put up 400 against them last week, and it should have really cost them the game (but they got a prayer when Cundiff went wide left).

The Giants are on a hot streak. They are clicking in almost all phases of the game, and have an extremely dominant defensive line. It definitely helps when you are able to get to the quarterback rushing only 4. It’s going to be interesting to see how the Giants come out on offense. Eli will have to be clutch in all four quarters of the game, and not just in the 4th quarter. If the Patriots offense gets hot and puts up a lot of points, it’s going to put a lot of pressure on this offense which has tended to stray away from the run. The run is going to be extremely important for the Giants. Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs are going to have to help Manning out. He can’t be throwing the ball 58 times like he did against the 49ers.

PREDICTIONS

theVHB Prediction: New York Giants. This defense knows their role and knows how to play. They are going to be the difference. Just like the Ravens defense frustrated Brady two weeks ago, this Giants defense will have to do the same. Gronkowski being hurt, may not affect Brady as much as we think it will. Brady is known for making names out of no-name WR’s and TE’s. The Patriots defense will finally be exposed, and the long cliché of “defense wins championships,” will hold true. 27-17.

MVP Prediction: Eli Manning. Team lives and dies by the quarterback. Eli gets it done in the home (former home?) of his older brother, Peyton.

Grizzly Prediction: New York Giants. Even before the Gronkowski injury “controversy,” I was leaning towards Eli and the Giants. These guys have played lights out football for the past two months and have steamrolled the best teams in the league (Well, except the Cowboys.) 9-7 isn’t indicative of how good this team has been. They had a much tougher schedule than their NFC East cohorts, and their Super Bowl opponents. They destroyed the Falcons, last year’s Superbowl champs and the best defense in the league to get here. No amount of Tom Brady can handle the Giants pass rush and secondary. Nevermind the fact that Brady barely beat the Ravens – a team with a mediocre offense. 31-21.

MVP Prediction: Victor Cruz. Hey the QB doesn’t always have to be the MVP. Cruz will put up beasty numbers, and I’ll be rooting for the Salsa dance.

Note: As a Texans fan, this is the best season of football I’ve seen in years. That’s all bias-talk. Let’s get ready for April’s draft and the upcoming season. SUPERBOWL CHAMPS YALL!!!!

Panda Prediction: New York Giants. There’s a level of uncertainty that comes with betting against the Patriots in the big game, but I can’t in all good consciousness bet against Eli Manning right now, let alone the Giants defense. Look for them to push Brady to his reserve – working the short field (which is something Brady and his receiver core are good at, regardless) but it won’t be enough to avoid losing in a close, high-scoring affair. I think the Giants will pull off with a 31-24 win.

MVP Prediction: Siding with Eli Manning as the Super Bowl XLVI MVP.

See ya in the NFL Draft!

-thevhb, grizzly & panda