Super Bowl weekend

We have finally reached the end of the 2011-2012 NFL season, and it is a rematch of Super Bowl XLII, New York vs. New England. Played in the house that Peyton built. Nearly two weeks ago the Patriots were favored by 3.5 points and the over lay at a cool 55.5. Since then, lot of money on New York to move both lines a full point down. As of 4.45pm ET it is New England -2.5 and o/u 54.5.

New England have not lost since week 9, coincidentally to New York, in Foxborough. New York, on the other hand, have won 5 straight, basically elimination games. Their last loss was an ugly stinker of a game in which they lost by double digits to the Washington Redskins.

A lot has been said, written and yelled about the awful nature of New Englands defense: ranked 31st in yards given. New York only slightly better, at 27th, giving up 35 yards fewer per game. However, this is the shittiest use of stats to rank a football team. Points scored vs. points given are the only two things that matter. If we use those numbers, the tale is a little bit different: New England gave up just over three touchdowns per game, at 21.4 points. New York let opponents score an even 25 points a game.

Am I writing this to make myself feel better? Bet your balls I am! I have been watching/reading ESPN all week and I am super nervous for this game. I mean, frightened. It is awful.

On offense, the disparity is even greater. I'm not even going to talk about the yards there, just points. New York averaged 24.6 points per game. Wait a minute...New York, on average, lost every game this season by 0.4 points? They had negative scoring this season? New England on the other hand, scored a hefty 32.1 points per game, good for 3rd in the league, trailing only the record-setting Drew BreesOrleans and the Green Bay Doublechecks. Another paragraph just to calm myself? Fuck yeah.

For all the talk about Tom Brady's passing skills, this game is going to come down to New England's ability to run the ball against the Giants' D. Put Brady in the shotgun, 4 wide with Law Firm on his side and run draws until the linebackers creep up and they are forced to put someone bigger in the middle than one of their talented and fast pass rushers. My point is, I see this as a close game that is going to come down to who can run the ball, and who can get a good game from their special teams. Field position is going to be key. Moreso than ever.

Since I do not gamble on Patriots games, I have called upon my personal panel of experts to predict the game for you. I am still missing a fair portion of the picks I requested, however, I will give you what I have. Because you're worth it.

Billy: 34-31 Giants
Øivind: 24-20 Patriots
Ruby: 27-13 Patriots
Jay: 35-24 Patriots
Justin: 27-24 Giants
Eivind: 27-24 Patriots
Magnus: 31-24 Patriots
Plato: 45-7 Patriots

Average scores:
Giants: 21.63
Patriots: 30.5 (this is highly skewed as Plato predicted a 45-7 Pats victory)

Aleks also bet on the Giants, but he only predicted margin of victory to be 4 points.

Should more picks come in before game time, I will update this accordingly. For now, I'll leave you with two non-QB key players for the game: Julian Edelman and Mario Manningham.

(And I'm still nervous as shit. No wonder people get heart attacks)