Our Super Pick

Well, I said it would happen all the way back in September, even if it was supposed to be against the Saints, it’s been the New England Patriots’ season from the start, and that concludes tomorrow in Glendale with a Super Bowl XLII victory over the New York Football Giants.

You’re all very lucky because this is the second to last NFL column that you’ll have to read from me for a very long time, mostly likely until Draft Day. Today though, we go deep into the big game to give ya’ll the best analysis this side of DLD’s sports page.

The defining point of this game isn’t Tom Brady’s boot, Bill Belichick’s cameras, or even Wes Welker’s diminutive 5-9 frame. Super Bowl XLII will be won in the trenches, plain and simple. If Matt Light and his natty bearded band of offensive lineman can stop Michael Strahan and the best four-man rush in professional football, than New England will emerge victorious. However, if Strahan and Osi Umenyiora can break down the front line and knock Brady on his ass, than the Giants will be in excellent shape. As they proved in week 17, this Pats team is not super human as many have made them out to be all year. Many experts point to a week 12 showdown against the Eagles as the toughest game the Pats had to go through in order to get to 16-0. Not so fast. It was that game against the Giants in the Meadowlands that really made all of us think, "wow, maybe there’s something to figure out here". But alas, New England proved to be a formidable force yet  again. And I’m sorry New York fans, I’m getting your hopes up here. I’m not picking the Giants to win this game, I can’t, it’s the Pats destiny.

While scrolling through some celebrity picks on the WWL’s site this morning (that’s right I do actually care what Penn Jillette thinks about the big game) I noticed that a lot of people are going with the Giants simply because they believe that this is a divine year for them. That this remarkable playoff run (and yes it really is) should translate into a win on the world’s biggest stage. Wrong. This is, and always has been New England’s season. From the very first day of Sunday NFL Countdown, all the way until the 6:30 kickoff tomorrow. Think about it. Who has been the favorite since day one? What team was predicted, in the beginning of the year mind you, to possibly go undefeated? Let’s not even go into the sports logistics of this being the year for Boston. So no, I’m not picking the Giants. Why? Because they’re going up against a bigger, stronger, smarter, and more complete football team. Because after this game, Tom Brady could very easily be considered the best Quarterback of all-time. Because somehow, Randy Moss has bought into Belichick’s "team-first" mantra.  Because Tom Coughlin is still coaching the Giants, and because Eli Manning is still their QB. Because Kevin Faulk is the most underrated player of the past 7 years, and I will defend that until someone will listen. And, most importantly, because it’s destiny.

The Pick:

Patriots 37 – Giants 17