Super Bowl XLVI Preview - New England's Offense vs New York's Defense

The New England Patriots are a team that crushes their opponent's spirit by scoring 35+ points a game. Few teams have won as often as the Patriots over the past decade - or by such outrageous, obnoxious numbers. Tom Brady can pick apart a defense like few other quarterbacks in NFL history. His ability to read a defense and know exacly where to go each and every play will force New York's secondary to stay with their coverages longer than normal. Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are among the many, versatile weapons Brady has at his disposal.

While the Patriots are not known for their ability to run the football, their offensive line has managed to stay reasonably healthy this season and has kept aggressive defenses from wrecking havoc with the timing of their passing game.

The New York Giants defense has played lights out football during their run through the playoffs. Just as versatile on defense as the Patriots are on offense, the Giants' defensive front seven look to completely disrupt the high-powered New England attack. If New York's defense can slow down the Patriots enough to hold them to field goals instead of touchdowns, they will be able to give Eli Manning a fighting chance to keep pace with Tom Brady. The Giants can win the game with their defense, but they will have a lot easier time containing the Patriots if their offense can give them a two-score lead.

Super Bowl XLVI Statistical Matchup
            *Note: None of these stats “mean” anything, but let’s have fun with them anyway… Numbers include playoff games

            Stat Keys:
                        Passing Points = Total Passing Touchdowns + ½ Total Field Goal Points
                        Rushing Points = Total Rushing Touchdowns + ½ Total Field Goal Points

                        Points per Passing Yard = Passing Points / Total Yards Passing
                        Points per Rushing Yard = Rushing Points / Total Yards Rushing

Category	Patriots Offense vs	Giants Defense Allowed	When They Collide…
Rushing Values
Rushing Points	188	144
Rushing Yards	2006	2301	Each rushing yard worth
Points per Rushing Yard	0.094	0.063	0.079
At their Best (DEF worst)	183 yards	205 yards	194 yards = 15.3 pts = 15 pts
2011 Average	111 yards	121 yards	116 yards = 9.2 pts = 9 pts
At their Worst (DEF Best)	43 yards	49 yards	46 yards = 3.6 pts = 4 pts
Passing Values
Passing Points	363	263
Passing Yards	5681	4684	Each passing yard worth
Points per Passing Yard	0.064	0.056	0.060
At their Best (DEF Worst)	516 yards	372 yards	444 yards = 26.7 pts = 27 pts
2011 Average	316 yards	247 yards	282 yards = 16.9 pts = 17 pts
At their Worst (DEF Best)	170 yards	101 yards	136 yards = 8.1 pts   =   8 pts
Projected Score Breakdown	Rushing + Passing	Combined Points
At their Best	15 pts + 27 pts	42
2011 Average	9 pts + 17 pts	26
At their Worst	4 pts +   8 pts	12

Projected Super Bowl XLVI Score for the New England Patriots: 27 points

Check back tomorrow to see how the New York Giants offense compares to the New England Patriots defense. Will the numbers for the Giants put them over the 27 points the Patriots are projected to score?