Epic Showdown?

We are entering Pro Bowl Weekend.  The biggest waste of time and energy the NFL has to offer.  The game every player wants to be invited to, but nobody wants to play in.  Blech.  I shan't (a great, underrated word) waste my time on such fluff.

Onto the good stuff.

I've gotta admit, I'm really looking forward to the Super Bowl this year.  There are a few reasons.

First, I don't have to work... which is a huge plus.  I can actually enjoy a "beverage" or two during the game, if I choose to do so.

Secondly, I don't have to pray on my hands and knees that the damn Packers don't win it all (didn't do me much good last year, did it?).

Third, I think it is going to be an epic showdown.  This could actually be a Super Bowl that will live up to all of the hype.  (Now watch, it will end up a blow out).

I've taken a few minutes to look up some interesting stats on these two teams... and it is amazing how closely they match up.  But, first a little comic relief:

From my friends over at katchop.com, certifying that Eli Manning "owns" the Green Bay Packers.

Okay, back to business.

All I've heard this season is how bad the Patriots defense is.  Prior to this Super Bowl, the lowest ranked defense to make it to the big dance was the 25th ranked New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV.


Guess what?  This Super Bowl will "feature" the two lowest ranked defenses to ever appear in the championship game.

The Patriots are the 31st ranked defense in the league in total yards allowed; they are 15th in total points allowed.


But this just in: the Giants are the 27th ranked defense in total yards allowed and 25th in total points allowed.

Both defenses have looked very good in the playoffs, but they resembled porous membranes during the regular season.  Of note, that horrible Patriots defense actually gave up 58 fewer points than the Giants defense.  Yes, this is a bit skewed because the Giants played a tougher schedule throughout the season.  But you can only play who you play, right?

Looking at specifics, the Patriots really do not look that bad compared to the Giants:

Sacks:

Patriots: 40

Giants: 48

Interceptions:

Patriots: 23

Giants: 20

Altogether, the takeaway/giveaway differential for the Giants was +7.   It was +17 for the Patriots (only two other teams in the NFL had a better differential than the Patriots).

Offensively, the leading rushers for both teams were almost identical (note that Bradshaw missed several games this season due to injury) -

Green-Ellis (NE): 667 yards

Bradshaw (NYG): 659 yards

Both teams each had two 1,000 yards receivers.

Patriots: Welker (1,569 yards - 2nd in NFL) | Gronkowski (1,327 yards)

Giants: Cruz (1,536 yards - 3rd in NFL) | Nicks (1,192 yards)

Tom Brady passed for 5,235 yards.  Eli Manning missed the 5,000 yard plateau by just 67 yards (4,933).

Both Brady and Manning are tied for the longest pass in the league this season.  Both completed a 99 yard strike.

Brady averaged 8.6 yards per pass attempt.  Manning averaged 8.4 yards per attempt.

Brady was sacked 32 times.  Manning was sacked 28 times.

When these two teams played back in November, it was a 0-0 tie at half time.  But in the fourth quarter, the teams combined for a field goal and four touchdowns(!), with the Giants winning on a Manning-to-Ballard TD pass with just 14 seconds remaining.


Will the re-match be just as good?

Well, "That's why they play the game."  You can never know what will happen until the ball is kicked off.  Injuries.  Turnovers.  Penalties.  Execution.  Coaching decisions.  Play calling.  Officiating.  And yes, some times just dumb luck.  All of these play a factor in a game.

The two head coaches are experienced in championship games.  They have won championship games.  They know each other well.  Both teams will be prepared for anything.

My feeling is this will be a pleasure to watch.  It's exactly what football is about: it is the game at the highest level and exactly why I love this sport.


Footnote:
Interestingly, the Patriots will wear their home blue uniforms, the Giants will wear their visiting white uniforms, just as they looked in Super Bowl XLII when the Giants ruined the Pats' pursuit of perfection.  Hmmmm....