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Welcome to my blog! The first post on  sports blog will be about the biggest sporting event of the year, the Superbowl!

This post will compare the following between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants (as a core not by the individual): Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, O-Line, D-Line, Linebackers, Secondary, Kicker, Punter, and Coaching.

Quarterback: We have another matchup here between Tom Brady and Eli Manning. In the regular season Brady was the more consistent quarterback. In the playoffs Manning has been great, leading the Giants to victories against the Falcons, Packers and the 49ers. Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time while Eli has finally cemented himself as an elite quarterback. Brady admitted that he didn’t play well in the AFC title game and will be better in the Superbowl.

Advantage: Even (Never thought I’d say that)

Running Back: Both groups of running backs are solid but not spectacular. Both teams have been able to run the ball better of late and this will be a key to the game. Ahmad Bradshaw and BJGE each need to have solid games to allow their respective offenses to keep the chains moving.

Advantage: Slight edge to the Giants

Wide Receiver: The Patriots have a good receiving core led by Wes Welker who had another 100+ reception season. The other Patriot receivers don’t strike any fear in the opposition, and that includes the non-existent Chad Ochocinco. The Giants receiver trio causes major matchup issues. Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz especially will cause major issues against any team especially against a team that have a borderline awful secondary. Cruz’s rise to stardom has been a major reason for the Giants making the Superbowl.

Advantage: Giants

Tight Ends: This is the most lopsided matchup of them all. The Pats’ tight ends are the what make the Pats offense go; they create matchup nightmares all over the field with the strength and speed. If Gronk is able to play near 100%, he’ll make a huge difference in the game, but I don’t believe that he will. Aaron Hernandez causes matchup issues as well, but his effectiveness is linked with Gronk has he stated during media day. Jake Ballard for the Giants is a serviceable tight end who’s receiving ability was a great surprise throughout the season, but he’s still more known for his blocking ability.

Advantage: Patriots

Offensive Line: Both of these teams have good, not great offensive lines. These O-lines aren’t at the same level at which they have been in the past. Both teams lines have struggled with injuries at times throughout the season which had an impact on the effectiveness of their respective running games.

Advantage: Even

Defensive Line: It’s hard to compare a four-man front to a three-man front, but hell I’ll try. The Giants D-line has received a lot of attention over the past two weeks for their ability to rush the quarterback. They have four quality D-ends which can cause a great deal of discomfort for any quarterback (ask Aaron Rodgers). If the Giants are able to pin their ears back and put pressure on Brady with just their front four, the Pats will be in serious trouble. Since their change back to the 3-4 from the 4-3, the Patriots D-line doesn’t create the pass rush that they did prior to André Carter’s injury. The Pats front three will be paramount if they are able to slow down the Giants rushing attack, with the key being Vince Wilfork.

Advantage: Giants

Linebackers: Both teams have been quite inconsistent in this area, but have been a lot better of late. Since the Patriots change to the 3-4 their linebackers have performed a lot better. After a terrible stretch in the middle of the season, the return of Michael Boley helped solidify the Giants linebacker group. How the Giants linebackers fare against the Pats tight ends and the running backs out of the backfield.

Advantage: Even

Secondary: Nobody would ever mistake this area as a strength of either one of these teams. The Patriots secondary is best described as awful which isn’t good when facing the trio of receivers that the Giants have. The Giants secondary is below average, but they’ve been a lot better of late which has a lot to do with the strength of the Giants D-line.

Advantage: Giants

Kicker: Tynes hit a field goal in OT in the Giants last Superbowl run and hit the field goal to put the Giants in the Superbowl this year in OT against the 49ers. Statistically he isn’t as accurate as the Patriots Gostkowski. This Superbowl could very well come down to a field goal in the end, as the three Patriots Superbowl victories in the last decade did.

Advantage: Patriots

Punter: Mesko for the Patriots in a below average punter, but it typically doesn’t matter much because the Patriots don’t punt often and love going for it on fourth down. Weatherford for the Giants is a solid punter, not an elite but nonetheless a more effective punter than Mesko. Weatherford’s punting has been a major difference in the Giants special teams this year compared to last year.

Advantage: Giants

Coaches: Both of these men come from the Bill Parcells coaching tree. Belichick has led the Patriots to five Superbowl appearances over his tenure and is one of the great minds ever in football. Coughlin is known as a great tactician, but doesn’t motivate the troops as well. Coughlin has gotten the better of Belichick in their last two coaching matchups. However, you have to give the edge here to the man in the hoodie!

Advantage: Patriots

Result: This game will be one of the great Superbowls of all time with both coaches and quarterbacks possibly cementing their legacies.

27-24 to the Giants. Tynes kicks a field goal late to lead the Giants to a second Superbowl victory over the Patriots.