Football Psychic: We Know Who'll Win the Big One!

. These two teams clashed on February 3, 2008, in Tampa Bay for the championship title. The final score was 17-14 with New York grasping the victory. Both teams showed their dedication to win, with a combined total of 612 yards, passing and rushing. But in the final seconds, Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, lofted a 13-yard pass to wide receiver Plaxico Burrus for a touchdown that sealed away the game.

As the AFC’s No. 1 seed, in 2008, New England had the favor in this game, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars and the San Diego Chargers to attain an astounding 18-0 win streak. The Giants however went 12-4 coming in to the playoffs, losing their divisional match to the Philadelphia Eagles 23-11. They tramped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round. They slid to the next round where they faced off against the Dallas Cowboys, defeating them by 4. Moving to the NFC Championships, they prevailed against the Green Bay Packers, winning by just a field goal.

The times have been tough for the Patriots, by not succeeding in a playoff game since 2008. But this year, the Pats went 13-3 in the regular season losing to the Giants 24-20 and averaging over 411 yards, passing and running. Tom Brady has played the leading role for this team the last couple of years, averaging over 200 passing yards a game. They claimed the AFC No. 1 seed again this year, earning a bye, that led to a two-game win streak to the championship, defeating the Denver Broncos and the Baltimore Ravens.

The New York Giants record is an unimpressive 9-7 for the regular season. They averaged 2 sacks, 1 interception, and 14 yards loss a game. New York’s quarterback, Eli Manning is susceptible to defensive teams’ aggressive pressure. But, the Giants once again showed their barbaric play in the playoffs. The NFC champions demolished three teams to get to the Super Bowl, the Atlanta Falcons, the Green Bay Packers, and the San Francisco 49ers.

Both teams suffered defensively, but have both had the offensive skills to rank in the top 10 offenses in the regular season. The New England Patriots are well known for being able to score points.  Tremendous passing by Tom Brady, hitting great receivers, including Wes Walker, Rob Gronkowski, and Aaron Hernandez, makes it easy for the Pats to pick up 20 yards at a time.

New York is also known for their outstanding scoring ability. Having receivers like Victor Cruz and Hakim Nicks some might say it’s “easy.” But the Giants suffer rushing the ball on a consistent basis, and injuries of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs haven’t helped either. They average only 89 rushing yards a game.

My prediction for the 2012 Super Bowl is that it is going to be a very offensive-sided game. Insubstantial defenses on both sides of the field will give up some regrettable points that neither team could afford.  The way the Patriots rush the ball and avoid pressure in the pocket influences me to select them. The final score will be 24-31, New England on top for the victory. In the last winding minutes of the 4th quarter the intensity will pick up. Tom Brady will throw a pass for the game winner, to Hernandez. The Giants will get the ball back, but will be stopped on a desperation 4th down, and the New England Patriots will be Champions of Super Bowl XLVI.

Walker is a freshman at Ocracoke School and member of the Dolphins basketball team. If you bet on the Patriots to win, please remember you read it here first!