I've challenged Jeremy Fuchs, site editor for GiantsGab, a leading Giants blog, to a series of debates in the days leading up to the Super Bowl. Jeremy is a longtime New York sports fan who is looking forward to the Giants raising the Lombardi trophy one more time against the Pats.
The Giants defense is good, but in no means is it great. They've struggled with consistency all year, and even made Rex Grossman look like a star. Twice.
That said, they're hot right now, and heading into Sunday, they've been playing their best football. But can they stop the Pats and their exciting offense?
They'll have no answer for Gronk and Hernandez. No team does. The Giants struggle against athletic tight ends, and got burned by Vernon Davis. They can only try to limit them.
They'll do that by pressuring Brady. JPP, Tuck and Osi can still get after the passer and do so regularly. JPP is a beast, and could win defensive player of the year. Osi is finally healthy and has looked terrific this postseason. Brady will be uncomfortable and that will lessen his work in the passing game.
Welker is always an issue, and his speed will be tough. The more pressure, the less time Welker has to get open. Pressure is key, as always.
The run game is solid with Law Firm and Woodhead. The Giants have been good against the run all season.
The Giants will give up points, for sure; the question is how much. Do they give up big plays? Probably not, but the Pats will move down the field. If the Giants pressure Brady, which I think they will, they will be fine. If not, a long day.
That said, the Giants defense is good at forcing turnovers, something they will do on Sunday. Give them 1 or two turnovers, and they'll be fine.
There will be points scored but the Giants defense is good enough to not make it crazy. The pass rush will step up and makes it hard for Brady. Once he starts to feel the stadium grass, he'll get trigger happy and things will work out very well for the Giants.
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Obnoxious Boston Fan says: Most anyone over six knows that this point is the key to Sunday's game. If Tom Brady is standing firm in the pocket and able to find his receivers, this game could be over before Madonna's first wardrobe malfunction.
