The New York Giants will upset the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl for the second time in four years if they can execute the following things.
This upset would not be as shocking as the last time, but it will be an upset all the same. According to Football Locks, New York is a three-point underdog.
As the small spread and the Giants' 24-20 win over the Patriots in Week 9 indicate these two teams are close. And if the Giants do the following, oddsmakers will have favored the wrong team.
Get the Ground Game Going
The Giants offense was dominated by the passing game all season. They finished fifth in passing yards and 32nd in rushing yards.
However, that running game has picked up a bit late. New York rushed for over 100 yards just four times in their first 11 games. They then topped the century mark in four of their last five games.
That running game then erupted for a season-high 172 yards in their first playoff game against the Falcons. They followed that up with 95 yards against the Packers and 85 yards against the tough 49ers defense.
While this ground game certainly isn't dominant, it is still essential.
New York must run the ball enough to keep the Patriots defense honest. New England has struggled on defense this season, and the majority of their woes are on the passing end of things.
The Giants cannot allow them to hide their weaknesses on pass defense by letting the Patriots gear up to stop the pass. They must make sure that Patriots' defenders are forced to keep one eye on the running backs.
Pressure Tom Brady
Like the Giants, the Patriots offense is moved through the air. Tom Brady has had another stellar season. When they spread out and Brady has time to survey the field, the offense is almost unstoppable.
The Giants cannot allow Brady to have that time. They must pressure him, make him move from his spot and never let him get comfortable.
The Giants' pass defense has undergone a major resurgence, and at the heart of this resurgence is an improved pass rush.
In their three playoff games, the Giants have six sacks. They will need to add to that total if they want to win this game.
Slow Down the TE Dynamic Duo
During the regular season, Patriots tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez for over half of the Patriots' receiving touchdowns and over 40 percent of their receiving yards.
This trend has not slowed in the playoffs. These two are the key to the Patriots attack.
Slowing these two down is a daunting task, but not an impossible one. On the season, Football Outsiders ranked the Giants 12th in defending tight ends.
Other than one long 73-yard touchdown reception, the Giants did a good job of containing San Francisco's stud TE Vernon Davis in the NFC Championship game. Removing that long catch from the stat line, he had just two catches for 39 yards.
Helping the Giants out in this regard is the fact that Rob Gronkowski may be slowed with an ankle injury. He was hurt in the AFC Championship game, and—according to Charles Joel of Yahoo! Sports—he is currently in a walking boot.
Jonathan Albaladejo Andrew Brackman A.J. Burnett Steve Garrison Phil Hughes Damaso Marte
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