The New York Giants and New England Patriots are the last teams standing in this strike-shortened season as the league’s title game plays out on Sunday in Indianapolis.
The Giants beat the Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII by ending their perfect season at 18-1 four years ago. And I believe the same result will occur here only with a slightly higher final score.
Here’s why:
The Patriots secondary gave up the second-most passing yards in the 2011 regular season and they haven’t improved much in the playoffs. Despite the cumulative efforts of Patriots defenders Devin McCourty, Sterling Moore and Julian Edelman look for Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz in particular, to produce the game-breaking numbers over their New England counterparts like Welker and Gronkowski (turnovers being even).
Big and fast with solid regular season (82 receptions for 1,536 yards and nine TDs) and playoff numbers (140+ receiving yards in the first half against the Forty Niners and though they kept him quiet in the second half, New England won’t be so lucky), look for Cruz to break the 100 reception yard mark to help his teammates hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Giants on Cruz Control
