Friday, April 6, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
JESSICA SANCHEZ DOES WHITNEY HOUSTON...AGAIN!
This performance was RIDICULOUS. Jessica did a tremendous job with this.
HOW MILEY WORKS OUT...
I'll be honest.... I'd probably go to the gym way more if more girls dressed like Miley does.... just sayin'.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
THE FRAY SINGS THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AT THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
What the hell was that?
Certainly not this:
IS THERE ANYTHING KATE UPTON COULDN'T SELL?
This is her new Directv ad....you might remember we showed you this ad last month:
She has the capability to sell ice to eskimos. Water to fish. And Directv to me.
Monday, April 2, 2012
RIHANNA'S NEW HAIR - AGAIN
JUSTIN BIEBER GETS SLIMED AT THE KCA'S
Pretty slick...but still does not compare to this:
I think it was unAmerican to grow up in the 90s and not LOVE Slime Time Live in between the Rugrats.
DUDE SETS HIS MOUTH ON FIRE...LITERALLY
Some inappropriate language so keep it 18+....
This is equally one of the most funny and stupidest videos I have ever seen.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
KELLY CLARKSON COVERS BRUNO MARS - IT WILL RAIN
This is pretty good. Tough to pull off, but Kelly knows how...
Friday, March 30, 2012
WHAT BOY BAND IS REUNITING?
Chalk me up for someone that never expected these guys to have a reunion tour....but 98 Degrees is reportedly getting together for a reunion tour that will take place in 15 cities this July and August....venues TBA (not sure if there will be a Connecticut date or not...but looking at how wild the NKOTB shows were last year here, you'd have to think they'd consider it).
Were you a 98 Degrees hardcore fan? Growing up I remember a ton of 'N Sync hardcore fans and a ton of Backstreet Boys hardcore fans...but 98 Degrees never really had a ton of them like those other two groups did.
Were you a 98 Degrees hardcore fan? Growing up I remember a ton of 'N Sync hardcore fans and a ton of Backstreet Boys hardcore fans...but 98 Degrees never really had a ton of them like those other two groups did.
I HOPE I CAN MOVE LIKE THIS LADY WHEN I'M 86
The "Gymnastics Granny" Johanna Quaas performed this routine...somewhere...and this video is going viral.
I just hope when I'm 86 that the Red Sox have won another World Series by then...and that I don't hit people with a cane on the reg.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN IS A BOSS
Dude is 62....and just stops his show for 30 seconds to chug a beer.
Nothing more American than that.
What a boss. Pun maybe intended.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
SNOOKI'S OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENT PICTURE
This is Snooki and Jionni's "official" engagement picture....guess it'll be in all the newspapers on the Jersey Shore..
You'd think for an engagement picture maybe she'd take whatever that is on her head...off of her head...but that's just me.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
RIHANNA ON FIRE....LITERALLY
again.... I know nothing about fashion....but I know that this looks stupid!
16 YEAR OLD KENDELL JENNER....TOO REVEALING FOR TWITTER?
16 year old Kendall Jenner posted this on Twitter and some people think it's too revealing for Twitter.....what do you think?
Or is the answer simply "Cool story bro, it's a Kardashian.."???
ALICIA SILVERSTONE FEEDS HER SON....WITH HER MOUTH
Celebrities are strange and do strange things....but this is on a whole new level.
Weird.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
CLASSY OR TRASHY: OCTOMOM TAKES IT OFF!!!
Man... I feel bad for those kids that are gonna have to know she's their mom someday...
GRANDMA DOES THE CINNAMON CHALLENGE
....We've seen all these videos, including one from Jenna Marbles below:
It just seems like pure torture to me that you'd do this to your Grandma. But then again....it looks like this is the most fame that woman has ever had.
ONE OF THE WORST PARODY SONGS EVER
I've seen so many of these...but not many can match up with how horribly horrible this is.
Seriously.
Monday, March 26, 2012
IS IT TIME FOR MADONNA TO PUT IT AWAY?.
...Madonna is in her 50s.
My mom is in her 50s.
Just stop, Madge, while you're still ahead.
MADONNA'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE FOR NICKI MINAJ
Does that rank as one of the grossest kisses of all time?
I'd take this all day:
YOU THOUGHT ROAD RAGE WAS BAD IN CT???
I don't think this has ever happened here.....this video is from Brazil.
Dude obviously shouldn't have kicked the car....but you obviously don't try and run him over, either. But some might argue he got what was coming to him...no?
Friday, March 23, 2012
DID RAY J CAUSE WHITNEY'S DEATH?
...Bobby Brown's sister thinks so.
Pretty ridiculous for a Brown family member to say something like this and go off the deep end...but you never know..
KIM KARDASHIAN FLOUR BOMBED!
Kim Kardashian got flour bombed last night.... I would pay somebody to do this. Any takers?
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
EVER HAVE A CRAZY CHICK IN YOUR COLLEGE CLASSES? (18+, language)
Betcha she couldn't hold a candle to this chick.
Monday, March 19, 2012
KATY PERRY COVERS "PARIS" BY JAY-Z AND KANYE
This is pretty damn good....considering she's not a rapper or anywhere close.
I don't even think Nicki could do it like her...
Friday, March 16, 2012
THIS OLD DUDE JUST CAN'T STOP LAUGHING
This is pretty damn funny...make sure you turn captions "ON"...I have no idea what language this is but it's ridiculous
Thursday, March 15, 2012
SHOTS FROM NICKI'S STARSHIP VIDEO
Minus the lime green hair I might actually consider saying she's a smoke...
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
THE KARDASHIAN LINGERIE LINE
Which Kardashian would you rather?
Is there a "none of the above" option available?
KATY PERRY JUST LOOKS LIKE A FREAK NOW
The whole combo of the blue hair/everything else.....girl just looks like a freak now
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
KIM KARDASHIAN GOES BLONDE
....that's just a wig, but I actually kinda like it.
Then again, in my world...it's blondes > everything
BEST HOCKEY FIGHT EVER
...and this happened in Springfield
weird stuff always happens in Springfield. Trust me.
weird stuff always happens in Springfield. Trust me.
Monday, March 12, 2012
RIHANNA DOES IT AGAIN
Went out braless this weekend in LA......and that's about as close as you can get.
Friday, March 9, 2012
A PREVIEW OF GLEE'S WHITNEY HOUSTON EPISODE
Another good performance...not quite on the Jessica Sanchez level, but pretty damn good..
Thursday, March 8, 2012
JESSICA SANCHEZ....THE NEXT WHITNEY HOUSTON?
This performance from American Idol last night has to rate up there with some of the best in the show's history....she KILLED it!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
RIHANNA GOES OUT WITH NO BRA....AGAIN
This happens so often I could see where people would think it's just a repost on a slow day....but nope, this happened again on Sunday in L.A...
Monday, March 5, 2012
SNOOKI HAS A RING!
At least we can hope the father of the baby and the person that gave her the ring are the same, right?
WHY IS KE$HA GOING ALL SARAH MCLACHLAN ON US????
Somehow I can't take Ke$ha seriously when she is doing this.
Sarah McLachlan, yes. She just always gives off that miserable vibe. Ke$ha? Just gives off a glitter vibe.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
LINDSAY LOHAN ON SNL.....
The Real Housewives of Disney:
How do you think she did? I'd say okay.....not horrible, but not great or epic either.
Friday, March 2, 2012
WHAT DOES KANYE THINK OF AMBER ROSE AND WIZ?
Kanye tweeted that picture earlier this morning.... you knew he was gonna come out with SOMETHING... I didn't know it would be that bad, but it's Kanye...what did you expect??
Hilarious either way though.
SNOOKI...YOU HIDING SOMETHING?
Even in Snooki's larger days....she was NEVER about wearing loose clothes.
All of a sudden she is - I wonder if the people that were yelling at me that she's not pregnant and to stop making up stuff earlier this week are convinced yet???
Thursday, March 1, 2012
KE$HA REPLACES HER HAIR WITH...
...studs.
I was just talking earlier today about how I thought Ke$ha was underrated hot-wise.
Mistake on my part.
GIRL GETS KNOCKED OUT COLD BY HER FRIEND...ON HER BIRTHDAY
What do you do in this situation? Call 911? Get down and start praying???
THE FAT RING AMBER ROSE GOT FROM WIZ KHALIFA
Amber Rose and rapper Wiz Khalifa are now engaged...she tweeted out the picture of that fat ring expressing how happy she is.
Wiz 1, Kanye 0?
BIEBER'S BIRTHDAY GIFT
The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan made in Finland...starting at $102K. Leonardo DiCaprio has one, as well as Al Gore and Colin Powell... he got it from his manager Scooter Braun...who did it on today's Ellen:
JUSTIN BIEBER PUNKS TAYLOR SWIFT
Out of all the crap on MTV these days... I do have to say Punk'd is still pretty good.
Happy Birthday to Bieber, by the way. My entire Facebook and Twitter have told me about it all day.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
THIS GIRL GETS REALLY MAD ABOUT LEAP YEARS
Language NSFW/18+
....girl, calm down. It happens only once every 4 years
KHLOE KARDASHIAN SPEAKS OUT ABOUT KRIS HUMPHRIES
She "rubbed him the wrong way".
Don't mess with a Kardashian...they'll try and bury you forever.
RIHANNA...WEARING THIGH HIGH BOOTS
Ladies....leave a comment and let me know how you walk in those. Because I really don't see how it's possible...
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
KIM KARDASHIAN... NO MAKEUP AND SWEATPANTS
She looks better than she does with makeup if you ask me....and I'm not really a Kim K fan
THIS IS KATY PERRY?
WOW. I didn't think it was possible for her to get 10 times hotter.
But she is..
CHRIS BROWN SINGS "WE FOUND LOVE"
As if it couldn't be any more obvious that the two have something going on again....look how pumped he gets.
Monday, February 27, 2012
DID J-LO HAVE A NIP SLIP LAST NIGHT AT THE OSCARS?
I don't see what the big deal is even if she did....but I really don't think she did.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
WORST NEWS JOKE IN HISTORY
Forget the fact that there was an accident. The chick in the studio's "probably shocked by the gas prices" joke has to rank right up there with one of the worst of all time.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
PARIS HILTON'S NEW SONG......
It's called "Drunk Text". And I feel like I'd have to be drunk to be able to listen to more than 45 seconds of it.
This makes "Stars are Blind" look like a great song.
This makes "Stars are Blind" look like a great song.
WHAT HAPPENED TO LINDSAY LOHAN'S FACE?
this is her last night in LA.....she just doesn't look healthy (even though she's been receiving good news probation-wise, including at a court appearance yesterday)..
AMERICAN PIE....THE REUNION - TRAILER
This actually looks hilarious. As in, I might pay to go see this. It drops April 5th.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
DID THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER GO TOO FAR?
This is Whitney Houston, laying dead in her casket....did they go too far by publishing this picture?
And what's almost worse is that someone from her family (or her family itself) took the dough and let it out...
ADELE GETS CUT OFF AT THE BRIT AWARDS...
...and flips everyone off. Give her credit...for a woman that sings whiny slow songs all the time, she has one hell of an attitude...
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
BREEZY AND RI RI "TURN UP THE MUSIC"
What is more "appalling" about this? The fact Rihanna says she's turned on, or that she's in the song at all?
Serious question, ladies.
Monday, February 20, 2012
NICKI MINAJ BEFORE SHE WAS FAMOUS (VIDEO)
To say that she was far less annoying back then would be an understatement...
DUDE GETS PEPPER SPRAYED AT DISNEYLAND
How stupid do you have to be to try and fight the Disneyland security staff? There are some fights that are dumb, and then there's this level of stupidity.
According to the LA Times....
Anaheim police have identified the drunken patron as 53-year-old Glenn Horlacher. As shown in the video, an inebriated Horlacher relentlessly heckles, swings and kicks at anything and anyone in his path. He endures a few tumbles and combats numerous pepper spray attacks by a Disney security guard until finally subdued by a combination of the spray and a pile-on of Disneyland patrons, who came the aid of the guard after he was knocked down by the suspect.
Police were called to the "Tower of Terror" ride at Disney's California Adventure Park at 3:30pm Saturday. Anaheim police Sgt. Bob Dunn told City News Service, "When we arrived, the suspect was being held by a few patrons and Disney security officers." The human tower of terror was arrested for battery and assault, booked at the Anaheim jail and later released on a citation Saturday evening.
According to the LA Times....
Anaheim police have identified the drunken patron as 53-year-old Glenn Horlacher. As shown in the video, an inebriated Horlacher relentlessly heckles, swings and kicks at anything and anyone in his path. He endures a few tumbles and combats numerous pepper spray attacks by a Disney security guard until finally subdued by a combination of the spray and a pile-on of Disneyland patrons, who came the aid of the guard after he was knocked down by the suspect.
Police were called to the "Tower of Terror" ride at Disney's California Adventure Park at 3:30pm Saturday. Anaheim police Sgt. Bob Dunn told City News Service, "When we arrived, the suspect was being held by a few patrons and Disney security officers." The human tower of terror was arrested for battery and assault, booked at the Anaheim jail and later released on a citation Saturday evening.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
GIRL FALLS DOWN WHILE TEXTING ON LIVE TV
Come on baby, this is 2012. If you can't walk and text without falling....you're just too damn old.
15 YEAR OLD WHITNEY
In case you needed a reminder of the incredible talent we've lost.....watch this video. Just downright scary how good she was.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
BIEBER GIVES SELENA A RING
I have to say... I can't picture any girl I date wearing a ring with an "A" on it...
then again, I'm not Justin Bieber.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
GRAMMY RECAP - 2012
One of the better Grammys' in recent years..
LL COOL J BROUGHT THE HEAT TO START THE SHOW:
IMO - BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT GOES TO COLDPLAY AND RIHANNA:
JENNIFER HUDSON'S TREMENDOUS TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON:
ADELE PERFORMS "ROLLING IN THE DEEP"
KATY "BLUE" PERRY PERFORMS:
NICKI MINAJ'S WTF PERFORMANCE:
ADELE WINS ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
These were some of the highest rated Grammys ever -- for my complete play by play, please view my twitter at http://www.twitter.com/adamrivers
Thanks for listening!!
LL COOL J BROUGHT THE HEAT TO START THE SHOW:
IMO - BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT GOES TO COLDPLAY AND RIHANNA:
JENNIFER HUDSON'S TREMENDOUS TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON:
ADELE PERFORMS "ROLLING IN THE DEEP"
KATY "BLUE" PERRY PERFORMS:
NICKI MINAJ'S WTF PERFORMANCE:
ADELE WINS ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
These were some of the highest rated Grammys ever -- for my complete play by play, please view my twitter at http://www.twitter.com/adamrivers
Thanks for listening!!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
ENTIRE LIST OF GRAMMY WINNERS
Record of the Year
"Rolling In The Deep" - Adele
Album of the Year
21 - Adele
Song of the Year
"Rolling In The Deep" - Adele
Best New Artist
Bon Iver
Best Pop Solo Performance
"Someone Like You" - Adele
Best Rock Performance
"Walk" - Foo Fighters
Best R&B Album
F.A.M.E. - Chris Brown
Best Rap Performance
"Otis" - Jay-Z & Kanye West WINNER
Best Country Album
"Own The Night" - Lady Antebellum
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse - Body and Soul
Best Pop Vocal Album
Adele - 21
Best Dance Recording
Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
Best Dance/Electronica Album
Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Tony Bennett - Duets II
Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance
Foo Fighters - White Limo
Best Rock Song (songwriters award)
Walk - Foo Fighters (Foo Fighters)
Best Rock Album
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
Best Alternative Music Album
Bon Iver
Best R&B Performance
Corinne Bailey Rae - Is This Love
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona - Fool for You
Best R&B Song (songwriters award)
Fool for You - Cee Lo Green & Jack Splash (Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona)
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie - All of the Lights
Best Rap Song (songwriters award)
All of the Lights - Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West (Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie)
Best Rap Album
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Best Country Solo Performance
Taylor Swift - Mean
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
Best Country Song (songwriters award)
Mean - Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift)
"Rolling In The Deep" - Adele
Album of the Year
21 - Adele
Song of the Year
"Rolling In The Deep" - Adele
Best New Artist
Bon Iver
Best Pop Solo Performance
"Someone Like You" - Adele
Best Rock Performance
"Walk" - Foo Fighters
Best R&B Album
F.A.M.E. - Chris Brown
Best Rap Performance
"Otis" - Jay-Z & Kanye West WINNER
Best Country Album
"Own The Night" - Lady Antebellum
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse - Body and Soul
Best Pop Vocal Album
Adele - 21
Best Dance Recording
Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
Best Dance/Electronica Album
Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Tony Bennett - Duets II
Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance
Foo Fighters - White Limo
Best Rock Song (songwriters award)
Walk - Foo Fighters (Foo Fighters)
Best Rock Album
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
Best Alternative Music Album
Bon Iver
Best R&B Performance
Corinne Bailey Rae - Is This Love
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona - Fool for You
Best R&B Song (songwriters award)
Fool for You - Cee Lo Green & Jack Splash (Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona)
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie - All of the Lights
Best Rap Song (songwriters award)
All of the Lights - Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West (Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie)
Best Rap Album
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Best Country Solo Performance
Taylor Swift - Mean
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
Best Country Song (songwriters award)
Mean - Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift)
Friday, February 10, 2012
KATY PERRY'S NEW SONG
Got the email earlier this afternoon.... Katy will be performing this brand new song at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night....and radio will get it shortly afterward.
Sounds like a little message to Russell from this snippet, no??
Thursday, February 9, 2012
JAY-Z AND KANYE "PARIS" VIDEO
warns you might get seizures.
I think I did. Sorry if my show sucks tonight.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
BEYONCE'S FIRST POST-BABY PIX
....She looks pretty good for having a baby. Does this just fuel the "Beyonce didn't really have the baby" rumors even more?
BRANDY AND MONICA HAVE A NEW SONG.....
It's called "It All Belongs To Me".
Nice try, but it'll never be this:
Monday, February 6, 2012
KELLY CLARKSON..... HOT!?!
Not only did she do a great job signing the national anthem....she looked really good:
GISELE GOES OFF
1. This does not sit well with me as a Pats fan
2. Probably not with the Pats organization, either
3. ...and probably not with Brady either.
Shut the hell up. You're a supermodel.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
MILEY CYRUS' SEX SCENE FROM "LOL"
She plays Lola in the new movie "LOL" and this has leaked....
How long before Miley does Playboy?
SUPER BOWL POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
I realize that many of my i98.3 listeners will be completely disinterested by this....but this is the only venue I've got to do this these days....so let's rock and roll:
QUARTERBACK - Edge: Patriots
The New York media would love to remind us - and let's face it - they've got a good point - that Tom Brady has not been great in 3 of his last 4 playoff games. He wasn't great in the Baltimore game in 2009, was an Alge Crumpler drop away from possibly having a decent game against the Jets in 2010, and didn't play well in last week's AFC Championship game in Foxboro. Some even go so far as to throw out the win and Brady's 363 yards for 6 touchdowns in the Denver playoff game - which I can't justify. Brady was lights out in that game against a defense that had carried the team all season. Yes, Tebow's hype and last second heroics were what the national media played off of - but without spectacular plays by the Denver defense in many of those games, Tebow (or Matt Prater) would have never been in position to win.
Eli Manning, on the other hand, has had a great season and played great in the playoffs. While his 92.9 QB rating for the season does not place him in the "elite" category with Rodgers, Brees, and Brady, it was very serviceable and certainly places him in the conversation with Matthew Stafford, Tony Romo, and Alex Smith, among others as a member of the next tier of quarterbacks in the NFL. With 8 touchdowns and just 1 interception against three tough opponents, he has played much better than many have expected. His 21/33, 320 yard performance in Green Bay - in January - has to rank as one of this year's playoffs' clutch performances, albeit against the 32nd ranked defense in the regular season.
The Patriots get the edge in this category - for one reason only. Eli Manning is more likely to throw an interception at the worst possible time than Tom Brady. The "Tom Brady always gets it done in the big game" line no longer is valid, as evidenced by recent history. Brady certainly outplayed Manning this year in the regular season - but anyone who truly wants to be rational has to give the edge to Manning so far in the post season. And let's face it, Eli is due for a pick at the wrong time this week, isn't he?
RUNNING BACKS - EDGE: Giants
Due to a lot of injuries on the New York offensive line this year - the Giants haven't ran the ball nearly as well as you would think they would have with the Amhad Bradshaw/Brandon Jacobs combo. They ran the ball very well in the Atlanta game against a decent run defense - but were pretty average against Green Bay and San Francisco, rushing for under 100 yards as a team in both games. In the first meeting during the regular season, Bradshaw was injured and Jacobs took the rock 18 times for 72 yards - hardly an impressive performance - but the big play ability of the Bradshaw/Jacobs combination outweighs the options the Patriots have right now.
Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis, coming off a 1,000 yard year in the 2010 campaign, has been satisfactory this year for the Patriots (667 yards, 11 TD) - but not nearly what you would have expected on the heels of last year's effort. Some of this is due to injury - but even when his injury issues haven't been there this year, his first step hasn't appeared nearly as explosive. Danny Woodhead was a significant part of this Patriots offense in 2010 - and has really seen his role reduced this year. Nonetheless, Woodhead is certainly capable of being a game changer with both his running and pass-catching out of the backfield (particularly in the flat) big play ability.
The wild card for the Patriots run game is whether or not rookie Stevan Ridley is entrusted with the football in this game. After fumbling in the regular season finale against Buffalo, and again in the AFC Divisional game against Denver, Ridley was inactive for the AFC Championship game. However - don't be surprised if Ridley is active this week - in fact, at media day on Tuesday, he was very confident that he would be playing in the Super Bowl. If Ridley plays, he provides more of an explosive north-south running game that may force the Giants linebackers to not have the ability to cheat on covering the Patriots' tight ends and slot receivers. Ridley can have a huge impact on this game - if he can protect the football.
The two Giants physical running backs - in a game that is sure to be very physical, as the regular season meeting was, get the edge over the Patriots' uncertain running game.
WIDE RECEIVERS - EDGE: Giants
Without Hakeem Nicks, this would be a pretty even matchup. However, Nicks' 18 catches for 335 yards in the playoffs are just a small example of the diversity he provides to the Giants offense. Between Nicks and Victor Cruz, the Giants have as good of a 1-2 deep threat combination as any in the past 10 years in this league - and against the Patriots secondary, this is a big concern. Can the Patriots patchwork secondary keep the Nicks/Cruz combination in front of them without playing a soft zone that will allow the Giants to march up and down the field on intermediate passes? Don't forget about Mario Manningham, either; who would be a #1 receiver on many other teams in this league. The triple threat of the Giants wide receivers is what is crucial for the Patriots to get a handle on if they are to win this Super Bowl. Any of these three receivers can make great plays while covered - and giving them even a yard or two of spacing could prove deadly for the Patriots defense.
The Patriots wide receivers have had an up and down, inconsistent year with the exception of Wes Welker and his 122 catches - does the Giants secondary have an answer to contain Welker underneath in the "dink-and-dunk" offense? It's always possible that Deion Branch can explode for a big game, or completely disappear. Branch's skills have eroded - and that's far more visible this year, but his chemistry with Brady makes him an important part of the Patriots offense. Julian Edelman and Tiquan Underwood could see action, particularly in the no-huddle offense where both have caught most of their passes this year - and would anybody be surprised if Chad Ochocinco exploded for a big game? I'm not predicting it, and I certainly don't buy into the "Bill Belichick is just saving Ochocinco for the Super Bowl" theory, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if Ochocinco made a key play or two in this game.
TIGHT ENDS - EDGE: Patriots
Even if Rob Gronkowski doesn't play in this game - or isn't 100% - the Patriots still have the edge in this category due to Aaron Hernandez and his versatility alone. Hernandez has escaped a lot of attention this week because of the Gronkowski injury, but his ability to get open up the seam, and particularly in the red zone, could be crucial to a Patriots victory if Gronkowski isn't 100%. Unlike other injuries, Gronkowski's ligament injury is unique in the fact that it could significantly hamper his ability to cut - particularly on the post routes that he has been so deadly on in the red zone this season, where he has to plant his foot and change direction quickly. There is no better 1-2 tight end combination in the league than this tandem, and even if Gronkowski plays at only 70% - he's still a dangerous weapon. The ability of first round pick Nate Solder to play tight end, if only for blocking purposes,
The Giants tight ends - Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum - both had respectable years in an offense where they are the #4 and #5 options, but nobody can forget Ballard's 4 receptions for 67 yards - and a late Eli Manning touchdown reception, in the regular season game at Foxboro. Ballard is a big (6-6, 275) target, and similar to the regular season game, could make a difference in this game, because so much of the Patriots' defensive focus is going to be on stopping the triple threat of the Giants' wide receivers. The Patriots' lack of a good pass coverage linebacker will likely mean Ballard will have a significant size advantage on whoever is covering him.
The tight end position is the only positional group, in my opinion, that either team has a significant advantage in - as all year, the Patriots have had over their opponents.
OFFENSIVE LINE - EDGE: Patriots
One of the most overlooked keys to this game, in my opinion, is how both offensive lines play. The Giants offensive line was maligned by injuries throughout the year, and with the exception of Pro Bowler and Boston College product Chris Snee (right guard), has played pretty inconsistent. Eli Manning was only sacked 28 times in the regular season, but has been sacked a whopping 8 times in the playoffs - compared to Brady being sacked only once in the postseason. Eli felt a lot of pressure in the NFC Championship Game, but still played well and made the right plays at the right times. Can he do that again this week?
Similar to the Giants, the Patriots offensive line has gone through numerous changes and has been beaten up throughout the year - only Pro Bowl free agent pickup Brian Waters started all 16 games at the same position on the line. However, Matt Light has had a spectacular season on the left side, and Logan Mankins has had a good year (albeit below average by his standards) as well. The Patriots have played 4 different people at center due to an early injury to Pro Bowler Dan Koppen - but the average fan has no idea who their replacements, Dan Connolly or Ryan Wendell are - and that's a good thing. The availability of Sebastian Vollmer in this game will free up Nate Solder to play as a third tight end in max protect schemes, which the Patriots successfully used to contain Jason Pierre-Paul in the regular season matchup.
Neither team has run blocked particularly well this year, and you'd have to say it's a disappointment that the Giants, as a team, despite injuries, only ran for 1427 yards during the regular season despite having two arguably feature backs. The Patriots quietly rushed for 1764 yards during the regular season, but only Stevan Ridley (5.1 ypc) was particularly impressive.
As a line, the Patriots have protected Brady so far in these playoffs, and that's why they're in the Super Bowl. Their play has been much more consistent than the Giants' offensive line, and while they are dealt with a tremendously difficult task on Sunday against the tremendous front 4 of the Giants defense, they possess the ability to rise to the challenge.
DEFENSIVE LINE - EDGE: Giants
A lot of the national media is playing off the drop-off between the Patriots and Giants defensive lines way too heavily. Yes, the Giants defensive line, with Jason Pierre-Paul (16.5 sacks), Osi Umenyoira (9.0 sacks), Justin Tuck and Chris Canty is world-class and the best in the league. They are also the same line who recorded only 2 sacks in the game at New England in November, and allowed for the Patriots to rush for over 100 yards. Of course, that has no bearing on what will happen in this game - but the Patriots did a great job at containing this unit in the prior meeting.
There is no doubt - the Giants defensive line can get to the quarterback, make plays, and cause continuous nightmares for offensive linemen. They stuff the run well, and are physical, aggressive and take no prisoners. They are the most significant force the Patriots offense will have to deal with in this game, and we can expect to see the Patriots use a lot of max protect schemes to protect Brady - including offensive lineman Nate Solder as a third tight end. If Gronkowski doesn't play, Solder will see a lot more playing time with Vollmer at right tackle in his place. If the Patriots can't stop the Giants defensive line, there is no chance they will win this game.
Nonetheless, the Patriots defensive line has played great in the playoffs, and was consistent throughout the year, despite being overlooked as the only part of the defensive unit that could be relied on to make a clutch play. Vince Wilfork's game against Baltimore in the AFC Championship Game rates as one of the most high-impact, one man defensive performances I've ever witnessed. While the Patriots certainly miss Andre Carter (10 sacks), the combination of Mark Anderson (also 10 sacks), Kyle Love, and Wilfork has played very well throughout the postseason, and has undoubtedly been a "plus" factor for this team. Getting pressure on Manning is key to making him force and/or rush throws and limit the big play, stretch the field ability of Nicks and Cruz.
LINEBACKERS - EVEN
Both the Patriots and Giants linebackers are very similar units - not great in pass coverage, but pretty good at stopping the run with decent big play ability. Michael Boley (93 tackles) and Jerod Mayo (95 tackles) solidify these units with their intelligence , while Rob Ninkovich (6.5 sacks) and Mathias Kiwanuka (3.5 sacks) have provided ability to rush the passer from the linebacker spot and have the ability to set the edge.
On the Patriots side, Brandon Spikes has returned from injury to make a tremendous impact (including a great instinctive play on an interception of Joe Flacco in the AFC Championship Game), especially with stopping the run, while rookie Jacquian Williams has a similar impact on the Giants side. The Patriots played in the 4-3 in the teams' first meeting in November, but have shifted back to the 3-4 for much of the play in the postseason and down the stretch, and I would expect to see the Patriots play most of the time with the 3-4 in the Super Bowl.
Neither unit is great, but neither unit is bad - and both are solid, consistent groups for their defense.
SECONDARY - EVEN
I am sure that I will be ripped for saying these two secondary units are even, with questions like "Did you watch the games this year?" and "Do you know anything about football?", but yes, I think these two secondaries are evenly matched, and that's not a good thing for either team.
Much of the national media focused on how the Patriots defense, until Week 17, was ranked 32nd (dead last) in pass yards given up with the likes of Dan Orlovsky tearing them apart. They gave up 4,703 yards this year (the Giants gave up 4,082). Patriots fans sat around groaning collectively as the Patriots gave up another big play, after big play, after big play.
However, most of those 4,703 yards were given up before defensive adjustments were made by Bill Belichick and his defensive staff. Moving Devin McCourty (who was on pace to give up the most yards by a cornerback, ever, for most of the season) to safety has proven to be a solid move thus far. Inserting Sterling Moore, who was once cut by the Patriots this SEASON after his abysmal performance in the Colts game, has paid off as well. Moore's physical play netted him 2 interceptions in the regular season finale against Buffalo - and his play against Baltimore's Lee Evans is arguably the only reason the Patriots are not sitting home right now. The return of Patrick Chung from injury has solidified the unit's vulnerabilities against the intermediate passing game. Kyle Arrington has leveled off after an early 7 interceptions, but is still an above average zone coverage cornerback.
On the other hand, the Giants secondary isn't terribly impressive, either. Yes, on paper they played a great game in Green Bay, but if Green Bay's normally solid receivers don't drop at least 7 sure completions in that game - many of them while no defender was within a few yards of them - we might be talking about a Patriots-Packers Super Bowl.
Corey Webster is a solid cornerback (51 tackles, 6 interceptions) but, outside of that, there are few playmakers in this secondary. The unit's safeties, Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips, frequently end up "in the neighborhood", but are usually making tackles at least 5 yards downfield, with few impact plays between them. Aaron Ross has had an up and down year, but has been known to make plays from time to time.
Nonetheless, neither secondary is good, and neither team can pretend that they trust their secondary to make a play if that's what this Super Bowl is going to come down to.
SPECIAL TEAMS - EVEN
Both teams have decent special teams units - kickers Stephen Gostkowski (NE) and Lawrence Tynes (NYG) are similar - same goes with punters Zoltan Mesko (NE) and Steve Weatherford (NYG). The kicking and punting units of both teams have significantly contributed to the teams' victories when the offenses were sputtering, and could play a big part on Sunday.
Neither team is likely to return a kickoff or punt for a touchdown (Julian Edelman returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown, but other than that, no significant plays), and both units' coverage on kickoffs and punts is average.
COACHING - Edge: Patriots
To anyone that suggests that Tom Coughlin is a better coach than Bill Belichick, I ask you very politely - exactly what do you know about football? Bill Belichick is the best in the game, and there's little doubt that this year's team is one of his best coaching jobs (right up there with the 2001 season) in his career. To get this team - with these players - this far is nothing short of a major accomplishment.
Coughlin is a good coach, but when you compare the talent levels of both teams, it's obvious that Belichick has gotten the most out of working with less this season. The unity in the Giants' locker room and the way they have bought into Coughlin's system is impressive; but the discipline and maturity of the Patriots players this week show that they buy into what Belichick is selling equally. The real question here is, will Giants fans be running Coughlin out of town after week 9 again next year?
PREDICTION
Expect a big game out of the Patriots offensive and defensive lines. Both units have a chip on their shoulder and have played tremendously throughout this postseason. The Patriots offensive line has shown this year - with injuries - that they can contain the pressure from the Giants defense. This will be a high-scoring game and I can easily see both teams putting up more points than my prediction. Expect the relaxed Tom Brady to be razor sharp in a game that could make him go down as the best quarterback to ever play the game. Patriots 38, Giants 28.
QUARTERBACK - Edge: Patriots
The New York media would love to remind us - and let's face it - they've got a good point - that Tom Brady has not been great in 3 of his last 4 playoff games. He wasn't great in the Baltimore game in 2009, was an Alge Crumpler drop away from possibly having a decent game against the Jets in 2010, and didn't play well in last week's AFC Championship game in Foxboro. Some even go so far as to throw out the win and Brady's 363 yards for 6 touchdowns in the Denver playoff game - which I can't justify. Brady was lights out in that game against a defense that had carried the team all season. Yes, Tebow's hype and last second heroics were what the national media played off of - but without spectacular plays by the Denver defense in many of those games, Tebow (or Matt Prater) would have never been in position to win.
Eli Manning, on the other hand, has had a great season and played great in the playoffs. While his 92.9 QB rating for the season does not place him in the "elite" category with Rodgers, Brees, and Brady, it was very serviceable and certainly places him in the conversation with Matthew Stafford, Tony Romo, and Alex Smith, among others as a member of the next tier of quarterbacks in the NFL. With 8 touchdowns and just 1 interception against three tough opponents, he has played much better than many have expected. His 21/33, 320 yard performance in Green Bay - in January - has to rank as one of this year's playoffs' clutch performances, albeit against the 32nd ranked defense in the regular season.
The Patriots get the edge in this category - for one reason only. Eli Manning is more likely to throw an interception at the worst possible time than Tom Brady. The "Tom Brady always gets it done in the big game" line no longer is valid, as evidenced by recent history. Brady certainly outplayed Manning this year in the regular season - but anyone who truly wants to be rational has to give the edge to Manning so far in the post season. And let's face it, Eli is due for a pick at the wrong time this week, isn't he?
RUNNING BACKS - EDGE: Giants
Due to a lot of injuries on the New York offensive line this year - the Giants haven't ran the ball nearly as well as you would think they would have with the Amhad Bradshaw/Brandon Jacobs combo. They ran the ball very well in the Atlanta game against a decent run defense - but were pretty average against Green Bay and San Francisco, rushing for under 100 yards as a team in both games. In the first meeting during the regular season, Bradshaw was injured and Jacobs took the rock 18 times for 72 yards - hardly an impressive performance - but the big play ability of the Bradshaw/Jacobs combination outweighs the options the Patriots have right now.
Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis, coming off a 1,000 yard year in the 2010 campaign, has been satisfactory this year for the Patriots (667 yards, 11 TD) - but not nearly what you would have expected on the heels of last year's effort. Some of this is due to injury - but even when his injury issues haven't been there this year, his first step hasn't appeared nearly as explosive. Danny Woodhead was a significant part of this Patriots offense in 2010 - and has really seen his role reduced this year. Nonetheless, Woodhead is certainly capable of being a game changer with both his running and pass-catching out of the backfield (particularly in the flat) big play ability.
The wild card for the Patriots run game is whether or not rookie Stevan Ridley is entrusted with the football in this game. After fumbling in the regular season finale against Buffalo, and again in the AFC Divisional game against Denver, Ridley was inactive for the AFC Championship game. However - don't be surprised if Ridley is active this week - in fact, at media day on Tuesday, he was very confident that he would be playing in the Super Bowl. If Ridley plays, he provides more of an explosive north-south running game that may force the Giants linebackers to not have the ability to cheat on covering the Patriots' tight ends and slot receivers. Ridley can have a huge impact on this game - if he can protect the football.
The two Giants physical running backs - in a game that is sure to be very physical, as the regular season meeting was, get the edge over the Patriots' uncertain running game.
WIDE RECEIVERS - EDGE: Giants
Without Hakeem Nicks, this would be a pretty even matchup. However, Nicks' 18 catches for 335 yards in the playoffs are just a small example of the diversity he provides to the Giants offense. Between Nicks and Victor Cruz, the Giants have as good of a 1-2 deep threat combination as any in the past 10 years in this league - and against the Patriots secondary, this is a big concern. Can the Patriots patchwork secondary keep the Nicks/Cruz combination in front of them without playing a soft zone that will allow the Giants to march up and down the field on intermediate passes? Don't forget about Mario Manningham, either; who would be a #1 receiver on many other teams in this league. The triple threat of the Giants wide receivers is what is crucial for the Patriots to get a handle on if they are to win this Super Bowl. Any of these three receivers can make great plays while covered - and giving them even a yard or two of spacing could prove deadly for the Patriots defense.
The Patriots wide receivers have had an up and down, inconsistent year with the exception of Wes Welker and his 122 catches - does the Giants secondary have an answer to contain Welker underneath in the "dink-and-dunk" offense? It's always possible that Deion Branch can explode for a big game, or completely disappear. Branch's skills have eroded - and that's far more visible this year, but his chemistry with Brady makes him an important part of the Patriots offense. Julian Edelman and Tiquan Underwood could see action, particularly in the no-huddle offense where both have caught most of their passes this year - and would anybody be surprised if Chad Ochocinco exploded for a big game? I'm not predicting it, and I certainly don't buy into the "Bill Belichick is just saving Ochocinco for the Super Bowl" theory, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if Ochocinco made a key play or two in this game.
TIGHT ENDS - EDGE: Patriots
Even if Rob Gronkowski doesn't play in this game - or isn't 100% - the Patriots still have the edge in this category due to Aaron Hernandez and his versatility alone. Hernandez has escaped a lot of attention this week because of the Gronkowski injury, but his ability to get open up the seam, and particularly in the red zone, could be crucial to a Patriots victory if Gronkowski isn't 100%. Unlike other injuries, Gronkowski's ligament injury is unique in the fact that it could significantly hamper his ability to cut - particularly on the post routes that he has been so deadly on in the red zone this season, where he has to plant his foot and change direction quickly. There is no better 1-2 tight end combination in the league than this tandem, and even if Gronkowski plays at only 70% - he's still a dangerous weapon. The ability of first round pick Nate Solder to play tight end, if only for blocking purposes,
The Giants tight ends - Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum - both had respectable years in an offense where they are the #4 and #5 options, but nobody can forget Ballard's 4 receptions for 67 yards - and a late Eli Manning touchdown reception, in the regular season game at Foxboro. Ballard is a big (6-6, 275) target, and similar to the regular season game, could make a difference in this game, because so much of the Patriots' defensive focus is going to be on stopping the triple threat of the Giants' wide receivers. The Patriots' lack of a good pass coverage linebacker will likely mean Ballard will have a significant size advantage on whoever is covering him.
The tight end position is the only positional group, in my opinion, that either team has a significant advantage in - as all year, the Patriots have had over their opponents.
OFFENSIVE LINE - EDGE: Patriots
One of the most overlooked keys to this game, in my opinion, is how both offensive lines play. The Giants offensive line was maligned by injuries throughout the year, and with the exception of Pro Bowler and Boston College product Chris Snee (right guard), has played pretty inconsistent. Eli Manning was only sacked 28 times in the regular season, but has been sacked a whopping 8 times in the playoffs - compared to Brady being sacked only once in the postseason. Eli felt a lot of pressure in the NFC Championship Game, but still played well and made the right plays at the right times. Can he do that again this week?
Similar to the Giants, the Patriots offensive line has gone through numerous changes and has been beaten up throughout the year - only Pro Bowl free agent pickup Brian Waters started all 16 games at the same position on the line. However, Matt Light has had a spectacular season on the left side, and Logan Mankins has had a good year (albeit below average by his standards) as well. The Patriots have played 4 different people at center due to an early injury to Pro Bowler Dan Koppen - but the average fan has no idea who their replacements, Dan Connolly or Ryan Wendell are - and that's a good thing. The availability of Sebastian Vollmer in this game will free up Nate Solder to play as a third tight end in max protect schemes, which the Patriots successfully used to contain Jason Pierre-Paul in the regular season matchup.
Neither team has run blocked particularly well this year, and you'd have to say it's a disappointment that the Giants, as a team, despite injuries, only ran for 1427 yards during the regular season despite having two arguably feature backs. The Patriots quietly rushed for 1764 yards during the regular season, but only Stevan Ridley (5.1 ypc) was particularly impressive.
As a line, the Patriots have protected Brady so far in these playoffs, and that's why they're in the Super Bowl. Their play has been much more consistent than the Giants' offensive line, and while they are dealt with a tremendously difficult task on Sunday against the tremendous front 4 of the Giants defense, they possess the ability to rise to the challenge.
DEFENSIVE LINE - EDGE: Giants
A lot of the national media is playing off the drop-off between the Patriots and Giants defensive lines way too heavily. Yes, the Giants defensive line, with Jason Pierre-Paul (16.5 sacks), Osi Umenyoira (9.0 sacks), Justin Tuck and Chris Canty is world-class and the best in the league. They are also the same line who recorded only 2 sacks in the game at New England in November, and allowed for the Patriots to rush for over 100 yards. Of course, that has no bearing on what will happen in this game - but the Patriots did a great job at containing this unit in the prior meeting.
There is no doubt - the Giants defensive line can get to the quarterback, make plays, and cause continuous nightmares for offensive linemen. They stuff the run well, and are physical, aggressive and take no prisoners. They are the most significant force the Patriots offense will have to deal with in this game, and we can expect to see the Patriots use a lot of max protect schemes to protect Brady - including offensive lineman Nate Solder as a third tight end. If Gronkowski doesn't play, Solder will see a lot more playing time with Vollmer at right tackle in his place. If the Patriots can't stop the Giants defensive line, there is no chance they will win this game.
Nonetheless, the Patriots defensive line has played great in the playoffs, and was consistent throughout the year, despite being overlooked as the only part of the defensive unit that could be relied on to make a clutch play. Vince Wilfork's game against Baltimore in the AFC Championship Game rates as one of the most high-impact, one man defensive performances I've ever witnessed. While the Patriots certainly miss Andre Carter (10 sacks), the combination of Mark Anderson (also 10 sacks), Kyle Love, and Wilfork has played very well throughout the postseason, and has undoubtedly been a "plus" factor for this team. Getting pressure on Manning is key to making him force and/or rush throws and limit the big play, stretch the field ability of Nicks and Cruz.
LINEBACKERS - EVEN
Both the Patriots and Giants linebackers are very similar units - not great in pass coverage, but pretty good at stopping the run with decent big play ability. Michael Boley (93 tackles) and Jerod Mayo (95 tackles) solidify these units with their intelligence , while Rob Ninkovich (6.5 sacks) and Mathias Kiwanuka (3.5 sacks) have provided ability to rush the passer from the linebacker spot and have the ability to set the edge.
On the Patriots side, Brandon Spikes has returned from injury to make a tremendous impact (including a great instinctive play on an interception of Joe Flacco in the AFC Championship Game), especially with stopping the run, while rookie Jacquian Williams has a similar impact on the Giants side. The Patriots played in the 4-3 in the teams' first meeting in November, but have shifted back to the 3-4 for much of the play in the postseason and down the stretch, and I would expect to see the Patriots play most of the time with the 3-4 in the Super Bowl.
Neither unit is great, but neither unit is bad - and both are solid, consistent groups for their defense.
SECONDARY - EVEN
I am sure that I will be ripped for saying these two secondary units are even, with questions like "Did you watch the games this year?" and "Do you know anything about football?", but yes, I think these two secondaries are evenly matched, and that's not a good thing for either team.
Much of the national media focused on how the Patriots defense, until Week 17, was ranked 32nd (dead last) in pass yards given up with the likes of Dan Orlovsky tearing them apart. They gave up 4,703 yards this year (the Giants gave up 4,082). Patriots fans sat around groaning collectively as the Patriots gave up another big play, after big play, after big play.
However, most of those 4,703 yards were given up before defensive adjustments were made by Bill Belichick and his defensive staff. Moving Devin McCourty (who was on pace to give up the most yards by a cornerback, ever, for most of the season) to safety has proven to be a solid move thus far. Inserting Sterling Moore, who was once cut by the Patriots this SEASON after his abysmal performance in the Colts game, has paid off as well. Moore's physical play netted him 2 interceptions in the regular season finale against Buffalo - and his play against Baltimore's Lee Evans is arguably the only reason the Patriots are not sitting home right now. The return of Patrick Chung from injury has solidified the unit's vulnerabilities against the intermediate passing game. Kyle Arrington has leveled off after an early 7 interceptions, but is still an above average zone coverage cornerback.
On the other hand, the Giants secondary isn't terribly impressive, either. Yes, on paper they played a great game in Green Bay, but if Green Bay's normally solid receivers don't drop at least 7 sure completions in that game - many of them while no defender was within a few yards of them - we might be talking about a Patriots-Packers Super Bowl.
Corey Webster is a solid cornerback (51 tackles, 6 interceptions) but, outside of that, there are few playmakers in this secondary. The unit's safeties, Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips, frequently end up "in the neighborhood", but are usually making tackles at least 5 yards downfield, with few impact plays between them. Aaron Ross has had an up and down year, but has been known to make plays from time to time.
Nonetheless, neither secondary is good, and neither team can pretend that they trust their secondary to make a play if that's what this Super Bowl is going to come down to.
SPECIAL TEAMS - EVEN
Both teams have decent special teams units - kickers Stephen Gostkowski (NE) and Lawrence Tynes (NYG) are similar - same goes with punters Zoltan Mesko (NE) and Steve Weatherford (NYG). The kicking and punting units of both teams have significantly contributed to the teams' victories when the offenses were sputtering, and could play a big part on Sunday.
Neither team is likely to return a kickoff or punt for a touchdown (Julian Edelman returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown, but other than that, no significant plays), and both units' coverage on kickoffs and punts is average.
COACHING - Edge: Patriots
To anyone that suggests that Tom Coughlin is a better coach than Bill Belichick, I ask you very politely - exactly what do you know about football? Bill Belichick is the best in the game, and there's little doubt that this year's team is one of his best coaching jobs (right up there with the 2001 season) in his career. To get this team - with these players - this far is nothing short of a major accomplishment.
Coughlin is a good coach, but when you compare the talent levels of both teams, it's obvious that Belichick has gotten the most out of working with less this season. The unity in the Giants' locker room and the way they have bought into Coughlin's system is impressive; but the discipline and maturity of the Patriots players this week show that they buy into what Belichick is selling equally. The real question here is, will Giants fans be running Coughlin out of town after week 9 again next year?
PREDICTION
Expect a big game out of the Patriots offensive and defensive lines. Both units have a chip on their shoulder and have played tremendously throughout this postseason. The Patriots offensive line has shown this year - with injuries - that they can contain the pressure from the Giants defense. This will be a high-scoring game and I can easily see both teams putting up more points than my prediction. Expect the relaxed Tom Brady to be razor sharp in a game that could make him go down as the best quarterback to ever play the game. Patriots 38, Giants 28.
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