Traverse City Record-Eagle

Sports

February 5, 2012

Two weeks enough for Pats

----

I've gone back-and-forth on this one.

Do you go with the hot team, the New York Giants, or the better one in the New England Patriots? How much of a concern is Rob Gronkowski's ankle injury? Can a team actually beat the Patriots twice in one year?

After a week of talk surrounding Peyton Manning's future and not the actual Super Bowl, I'm struggling to see a clear-cut winner.

At the end of the day, I have to take New England, in what should be another entertaining Super Bowl.

Why? Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. That's good enough for me.

I like that New England — while favored by three points by Vegas — is widely considered the underdog. Analyst after analyst has jumped on-board the Giants bandwagon over the last couple of weeks, and for good reason. The Giants are as hot as any team entering the Super Bowl, and recent history shows the hot team usually wins.

But remember the last time the Patriots felt slighted by the lack of attention they were receiving? They went out and hammered Denver and media darling Tim Tebow, 45-10.

As much as Brady and Belichick take a nonchalant attitude when it comes to the media, you can tell they don't like feeling neglected. Have you heard any talk about the Patriots other than Gronkowski's ankle? Didn't think so.

Plus, I like my chances when Belichick has two weeks to scheme for anybody. Look for Aaron Hernandez to have a breakout game and the defense to be in Eli Manning's face all day.

New England 28, New York Giants 21

Text Only