The New England Patriots slugged their way to an 18-0 record this season en route to their fourth Super Bowl appearance in seven years. But their success this season came not from the stifling defenses that were a hallmark of previous seasons, but rather from a record-setting offense. Count on the boys from Foxborough to light up the scoreboard en route to their fourth Super Bowl of the decade on Sunday.
Since the 2001 season when the Pats ran over the St. Louis Rams on the big stage, New England has been known for its tough defenses, innovative offenses and savvy coaching. This newly-defined style of "Patriots football" yielded three Super Bowls in four years and turned the team into a modern-day dynasty. However, after disappointing losses in the following two seasons, the Patriots front office personnel set out to change the structure of the team.
Scott Pioli, the vice president of player personnel, completely revamped the offense by acquiring wide receivers Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte' Stallworth and Kelley Washington. He also made sure to pad the already talent-laden defense with star outside linebacker Adalius Thomas and rookie defensive back Brandon Meriweather. With so much talent, anything short of a Super Bowl title would mean utter disappointment.
After 18 straight wins and a masterful season on paper, the Patriots are poised and ready to take the Lombardi Trophy home to their New England faithful. They ranked first in the NFL during the regular season in almost all of the pertinent offensive statistical categories, while the New York Giants floundered.
The Patriots led the league in total offense with 411.2 yards per game, while the Giants ranked 16th with just 331.4. New England scored an NFL-record 589 regular-season points - 200 more than New York. And don't expect the Patriots to do anything but capitalize on their chances - New England was an impressive +16 in turnover differential, compared to -9 for the Giants.
The Patriots come into Super Bowl XLII with a résumé as loaded as that of any title contender. Quarterback Tom Brady has compiled a 100-26 record over his career, including a 14-2 postseason mark - and did we mention he broke the TD record this year?
Coupled with three Super Bowl rings and Brady's uncanny ability to orchestrate a game-winning drive - he has an astounding 28 in his career - the Patriots can safely say they have the best leader in the NFL.
Eli Manning, on the other hand, has had a career marred by inconsistency in the form of a high interception rate and low passer rating. Despite his team's relative success this year, he is no doubt inferior when the game is on the line.
With Moss, Welker, Stallworth, Jabar Gaffney and Benjamin Watson, the Pats have reformed their offense and passed for a league-best 295.7 yards a game. Behind Manning the Giants rank just 21st with 197.1 yards a game. Even when teams began to slow down the Patriots' passing attack, the well-oiled offensive machine couldn't be stopped as Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk asserted themselves as legitimate threats out of the backfield.
Although many point to the Giants' defensive line as a point of strength, the Patriots have one of the most underrated offensive lines in the game, with three starters - Matt Light, Logan Mankins and Dan Koppen - all headed to the Pro Bowl. Even without starting right guard Stephen Neal and starting right tackle Nick Kaczur in Week 17, the Giants' Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan and company managed to produce just one sack - and it came from linebacker Reggie Torbor. On the other side of the ball, the Patriots defensive line looks to be a point of strength against a Giants offensive line that is battling the injury bug itself.
On the special teams front, Ellis Hobbs and Welker have returned punts and kickoffs well all season for the Patriots under the guidance of well-respected special teams coach Brad Seely. The Patriots' coaching staff has been around enough playoff games to know that special teams is an area where games are won and lost, and you can be certain that Seely will have his squad ready.
No matter how you shake it out, the postseason experience rests firmly with the Patriots. Twenty Patriots have been to a Super Bowl, while only three Giants players- Amani Toomer, Michael Strahan and reserve lineman Grey Ruegamer (with the Patriots) - have been to one. The Patriots have 14 postseason wins and three Super Bowl wins since 2001, while the Giants are just 3-3 in the postseason in that span.
Rest assured, Patriots fans; Ruegamer won't have nearly enough clues from his Patriots' past to help coach Tom Coughlin, Manning and the New York football Giants to a victory in Super Bowl XLII. And that's a guarantee, Plaxico.
