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Super Bowl Tips – Five keys to the big game

Osi Umenyiora #72 of the New York Giants answers questions from the press during a media availability session for Super Bowl XLVI at the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott on February 2, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (credit: Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
The New York Giants and New England Patriots contest Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, with Eli Manning and Co looking to repeat their 2008 success.

On that occasion the Giants recorded a stunning upset, ending the Patriots' perfect season through a combination of relentless pass-rushing on defence and nerveless execution on their final offensive drive.

Once again the Patriots start as favourites (1.75 to win @ Betfair), having won 13 games in the regular season against the Giants' nine. But what will be the keys to the game this time around?

Can Brady handle the heat?

With two of their best pass-rushing linemen from 2008 - Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora - still in place and the second year defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul contributing 16.5 sacks this season, the Giants are confident of once again keeping Brady under pressure. Better yet, they can do so without blitzing, leaving them free to drop more men into coverage. When the teams met in week nine of this season, that combination forced Brady into two interceptions. His ability to avoid such mistakes here will be crucial.

Slowing down the Boston TE Party

It is no secret that New England have enjoyed huge production from their tight ends this year, with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez - together nicknamed the Boston TE Party - combining for 2,237 yards and 24 receiving touchdowns this season. Each had a scoring reception against the Giants in week nine and if both are healthy (Gronkowski has been struggling with an ankle injury) New York will again have their hands full drawing up schemes to defend both. Expect Brady to look for them early and often (in a developing market Gronkowski is 8.0 to score the game's first touchdown, Hernandez 12.0).

Going deep on New England

The Patriots secondary has been soft all season - with head coach Bill Belichick resorting at times to using wide receivers as defensive backs - but is especially vulnerable against the deep pass. The Giants are better equipped to exploit that than most, boasting two receivers with exceptional straight-line speed in Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham. Those two will create match-ups the Giants must exploit.

Turning weaknesses into strengths

New England did not have an especially productive season running the ball - they ranked 20th in the league - yet that should not discourage Brady from handing the ball off on Sunday. The Giants' defence is soft against the run, giving up five yards per carry through the post-season so far, and forcing them to account for such plays would also slow down the pass rush (it is 2.76 that the first touchdown will come from a rushing play).

Saving the best for last

In both their week nine and Super Bowl XLII wins over New England, the Giants have succeeded by keeping the game close and then snatching victory with a touchdown inside the final minute of the game. As a man who has engineered two fourth-quarter Super Bowl-winning drives of his own, Brady would surely agree that sometimes, timing is everything (the Patriots are 1.82 to score last, the Giants 2.1).

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Super Bowl Tips – Five keys to the big game

The New York Giants and New England Patriots contest Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, with Eli Manning and Co looking to repeat their 2008 success.

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