With the Super Bowl just a couple of days away, we once again went to Foxboroblog.com’s Ricky Keeler (@Rickinator555) to answer some tough questions about the Patriots and their upcoming showdown against the New York Giants.
TGS: How will the Patriots try to suppress the Giants’ pass rush?
Keeler: As Tom Brady talked about earlier this week, the pass rush terrorizes him from the Giants’ side. Tuck, Pierre-Paul, Osi, and even Mathias Kiwanauka are going to be tough to contain. If I am the Patriots, I try to go to more of a running attack. Now, this is an answer that will surprise people because you would think Brady would have to win a shootout to take this one. However, in the AFC Championship, the Patriots were able to run on the Baltimore Ravens to keep some of the pressure away from Brady. The 49ers are a better team at running the football with their jumbo sets, but they still had some good running when they went too it. Plus, take the weakness of your team, which is the defense, off the field and allow Eli to get the Brady treatment on the sideline. Plus, when you have a defense that is committed to stopping the run, more options will be available for Brady, particularly down the field.
TGS: On the other side of the ball, how will the Patriots try to slow down the Giants’ offense?
Keeler: In order to stop the Giants’ offense, you have to make them one dimensional. I have a ton of respect for what Eli Manning has done this year and he is an elite quarterback in this league, win or lose, in my estimation. However, if he is throwing the ball 50+ times in this game, it means he will have some turnovers. Its not quite the old Eli, but in this kind of game, one turnover could make the difference. New York has found their running game in the playoffs and Ahmad Bradshaw did not play in the regular season matchup this year. New England’s secondary is going to have to keep everything in front of them. I will take the short passes, but if Nicks and Cruz can get downfield quickly, Eli will hit those deep balls better than Joe Flacco did. Brandon Jacobs ran for 72 yards in Week 9 with a touchdown, but I look for Wilfork and that defensive line to not get sacks on Eli, but they will bring pressure on that New York offensive line, particularly on the interior.
TGS: Will the Patriots try to throw something the Giants haven’t seen at them, or do you expect the Patriots to stick to what they do best, especially on offense?
Keeler: With all the talk surrounding Rob Gronkowski this week, I think New England will try to see where he is at to start the game. My estimation is Gronk will be 65-70% for this football game, but I am not a doctor. New England will look to pass early, but as I said in the first question, I want to see them run the football and create that balance. If the balance is not there and Brady is throwing 50 times, the odds increase more in favor of the Giants’ pass rush.
TGS: When these teams played in Super Bowl XLII, many people were shocked at how low the final score was. Do you expect this game to have a similar final score, or are you expecting a shootout?
Keeler: I think this game will be a high scoring game, but I don’t think it will get that way until the second half. Even though these teams are familiar with each other, I think both defenses are going to start off strong. All the talk surrounding Eli and Brady might fuel these defenses to play a stronger 1st half with some bend but don’t break drives . Remember, the first game this year between these two teams was scoreless at halftime. With the extended halftime break due to Madonna’s performance, I think both teams will make adjustments and then the barrage of points will begin from both quarterbacks.
TGS: One last time, how do you think this game plays out?
Keeler: The winner of this game is going to be the team that gets the ball last. The last two meetings have played out that way and I think this one is no different. The Giants and Patriots will both have success throwing the football. As a Pats’ writer in New York City, I think I have to stick up for Tom Brady because after one bad game, everyone thinks this guy can’t play anymore and that NE’s ten game winning streak means nothing. It reminds me of the game against the Broncos where all the talk surrounded Tebow and Brady became an afterthought. Tom and coach Belichick are on what I call their rock band revenge tour. Rob Gronkowski is not going to have a great game, but I think he will do enough to produce and at least make the Giants respect him downfield. New York will have the lead 27-23 with 2 min to go. This time, Brady will shine and prove he can win a Super Bowl with a touchdown.
The Patriots take home the Super Bowl 30-27!
My MVP is Wes Welker: In three games against the Giants, Welker averages over 120 yards per game receiving. Corey Webster is a good cornerback, but Welker’s YAC ability will move the chains on crucial third downs.
You can read more from Ricky Keeler over at Bloguin’s own Foxboroblog.com, and you can find him on Twitter @Rickinator555. Our thanks once again to Ricky for answering our Patriots questions throughout the playoffs.
