I think New England just has too many options to throw at opponents
NE has a lot of options for certain. But more options than the Giants? I'm not buying that. If we're talking just strictly offense, I think the Giants overall collection of weapons is slightly better.
Nicks, Cruz, and Manningham are as deadly a collection of recievers as there is right now. Defenses really have to pick thier poison with who they want to take away. They are every bit the equals of Gronk, Welker, and Hernandez. The difference to me is, Ballard vs. Branch. Ballard is an often over-looked but solid pass catcher, while Branch gets the nod in experience. I think Ballard has a greater opportunity to expose matchup weaknesses vs the oppossing defense though.
And while even though the Giants ended up with the lowest ranked rushing game in the NFL this season, I still feel Bradshaw and Jacobs are a little bit better than the collection of Patriots' RB's. Neither team relies much on thier rushing game, but overall, the Giants have shown more willingness to at least attempt to have balance to thier offense.
In the end though, I still feel the difference in this game is going to come down to which defense is better able to contain the opposing offense. I just think the Giants D is playing a little better right now, and should be able to limit NE's offense enough to allow Eli to work his 4th quarter magic once again.
I didn't say
more options than the Giants, I said "too many to throw at opponents".
With their receiving corps, (two of the best TE's in the league, a proven veteran, and this year's leading wide-out in yardage), multi-faceted players like Woodhead, Edelman, and Ridley, (who can confuse opponents with many different sets), ends that can line up as backs, (who are also superb blockers), an extra-effort RB and vet straight-ahead runner, (BJGE and Faulk), and a superior QB who runs the hurry-up and two-minute drill as well as anyone ever has, the Giants defense will not only be out of breath and on their heels, but on the field for extended periods, and that's the best way to beat Eli, by not giving him time to get comfortable, or time enough to figure out the numerous defensive sets that the Patriots can throw at him.
I think the Giants
and a majority of the press is underestimating this Pats team, especially defensively, (as they now have most of their injured players back), and that over-confidence is something New England has been proven to take advantage of time and time again.
I agree that it will come down to the pass rush, but this is not the same Patriots defense that started the year, and I think selling them short will be New York's undoing.
It should be a fun game no matter what the outcome, and I'm happy just to have gotten to Indianapolis ... as I stated earlier, New England has already outdone my expectations, (I doubted their success in the first playoff matchup), so anything more is just gravy for me.
TP for the great post, and well-stated opinion.