I'm picking the Giants because right now they're playing better football than the Patriots. New York beat a good Cowboys and Packers team away from home while New England beat a good Jaguars team and a wounded Chargers team.
I like the offensive and defensive lines of the Giants to contribute greatly to New York winning the football game. Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck will win their battle with the New England offensive line. Despite how great and clutch Tom Brady is, he didn't play well against San Diego.
I don't think there's any doubt that New York can run the ball against the Patriots. If they run the ball well that will allow them to keep Eli Manning out of "must passing" situations. The Patriots don't want to run the ball because that will keep the Giants in the game, but they're going to have to throw short and run the ball. New York will take away the deep throws to Randy Moss in much the same way that Jacksonville and San Diego were able to do. Starting with the Eagles, teams realized if they beat up on Moss at the line of scrimmage and kept a safety deep they could take him out of the game. This has slowed down New England's 50 points a game offense.
I like the strategy of softening up a defense with 270 plus pound Brandon Jacobs in the first half, then unleashing the quick and speedy Ahmad Bradshaw in the second half. The Pats aged linebackers will be exposed in the second half by Bradshaw. I would like to see the Giants throw some screens to Bradshaw in the second half after Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau are running on tired legs.
Eii has to careful not to fall for some of Bill Belichick's tricks with his pass coverages. He'll try to bait Manning into throwing interceptions. Eli must just take the sure thing and stay away from taking chances. I expect Plaxico Burress to catch a couple of touchdowns and Amani Toomer and Steve Smith will also contribute. Belichick will try to first of all take away the Giants running game and then Burress. Eli shouldn't be afraid to check out of running plays on first down so that he can hit the short routes to Burress and Toomer. Belichick will probably be playing some form of zone on those run downs.
They've got the personnel to score touchdowns in the redzone, now they have to go out and do it. I think they will.
Giants 28 Patriots 24
