Running Backs Will Set the Pace for the Super Bowl

We all know that the New England Patriots have the ability to spread you out 4 and 5 wide, and Tom Brady can pick your secondary apart. That is no secret, but what seems to be forgotten is how dominating the Pats can be when they simply hand the ball to Lawrence Maroney. Let's not forget, Maroney was a 1st round draft pick, and he performs every bit like one.

Whenever the New York Giants name is mentioned, inevitably the first name that comes to mind or mouth is Eli Manning. Yes Eli is a very important part of this team's success, in fact, he is probably THE most important cog in getting the Giants to the Super Bowl. But for Eli to be successful, and the entire offense to be successful, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw need to be the focus of the gameplan.

If the Giants want their defense to control the game, the best possible defense is a ball-controlling offense. As has been pointed out before, it is impossible for Tom Brady to throw a touchdown pass while standing on the sidelines. We all know he cannot stand on the sidelines forever, but the fewer chances he gets, the better off the Giants will be. That is how the Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills in their last Super Bowl victory. They limited the chances that Jim Kelly and his high powered offense had by running the ball consistently and controlling the clock.

The Patriots are not undefeated for no reason though, they have been dealing with teams all season long that have tried this tactic. What truly makes the Patriots dominating is that they too can run the ball and control the clock. Lawrence Maroney has had 2 of his best games all season long the last 2 weeks, and I'm sure he plans on making it 3 in a row. If the Patriots play a smash mouth style of football and control the clock, they will force the Giants into attack mode, and that is where you want to put and young and playoff-inexperienced quarterback like Eli Manning. Not to mention that the Patriots defense is very experienced and has been in a game like this before.

So, if both teams decided to try to control the clock and run the ball, we will all be in for a not-so-exciting Super Bowl. But the 2 teams playing don't care about the excitement level, they simply want to win the big game.