Elite Manning? Yes, but the Patriots had no Business Being in the Super Bowl

In a game that began with a safety against the Patriots, the only way a Patriots Super Bowl could end was in a close game. Tom Brady went 10/10 on a go-ahead touchdown drive before halftime to take the Patriots to a 10-9 lead, but the 2nd half was all Eli Manning and the Giants' defense led by Jason Pierre-Paul as they secured a 21-17 victory, preventing a Hail Mary pass from Tom Brady to Aaron Hernandez. In the game-winning touchdown, the Patriots defense foolishly allowed Ahmad Bradshaw to get a 6 yard rushing touchdown, even allowing Bradshaw enough time to potentially kneel at the 1 foot line to run out the clock.


Although neither team had the best defense this year, the Patriots defense absolutely gave this game away with their piddly 31st rank in yards allowed and average 15th rank in points allowed. Vegas also got the game dead wrong, putting the Patriots as 2.5 favorites and setting an over/under of total points scored at 55. To me, it was clear that had the San Francisco 49ers won against the Giants in the NFC Championship Game, they would also have won against the incredibly weak Patriots defense and the 49ers defense would have easily stopped Tom Brady.


Once again, the NFC Championship Game was more exciting than the Super Bowl, continuing a trend of Super Bowls containing the winner of an NFC Championship Game that involved the 49ers. Yes, it was a close game throughout, but the Patriots were just too thin a team to realistically win the Super Bowl this year, being carried by Tom Brady's legendary arm... although the legend of Brady is slightly diminished due to his total inability to beat Eli Manning and the New York Giants in 2 separate Super Bowls and frequently during the regular season. On the other team, Eli Manning now has more Super Bowls than his brother, and is a definite lock for the Hall of Fame alongside head coach Tom Coughlin.


Wes Welker is now a free agent and may choose not to return to the Patriots if he is going to be their 2nd ranked WR behind Deion Branch as he was today.