Super Bowl Coverage: Running Backs and Opposing Front Seven

It's that time of year again! SUPER BOWL!! If the game is anything like the season final between these two teams a couple of weeks ago, this is actually going to prove to be a great match up. In this article, I will breakdown how the each team's running backs will match up against the front seven of each opposing defense.

NYG Offense: Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw

The Giants will have a tough time against the Patriots linebackers as they should be keying in on the run game forcing New York to throw. That being said, it will not be an easy task for the Patriots. Brandon Jacobs has averaged 5 yards a carry this season on the ground and is quite the load to take down. Ahmad Bradshaw should provide a spark off the bench with his quick, cunning moves on the field. The key for the giants is to slow down the game and keep the ball out of the hands of Tom Brady.

When the Giants get forced to throw by the Patriots, and they will be forced to throw, look for Jarvis Green to jump in for Ty Warren and beat his man on the outside. Couple that with a nice linebacker blitz package, and Eli Manning better hope that his receivers will be open. The linebackers for New England are older, experienced in the playoffs, tough, and just plain mean. They are really quick, so the screen pass will NOT be effective against them. The Giants need to hope for their defense to pick up some turnovers and convert quick points.

NE Offense: Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk

The Patriots don't necessarily have to run the ball effectively, they just need to keep the Giants defense honest. However, they do have a pretty good tandem in Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk. Expect these two to get the ball mostly on screen plays to counter the Giants blitz packages. And they will be coming. Maroney didn't have many carries this year, but did run the ball efficiently for 4.5 yards per carry.

The Giants front four are the best line in all of football. Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora are instant pro bowlers every year. These two with the emergence of Justin Tuck will put a lot of pressure on the run and pass game for the Patriots. Especially if Tom Brady's leg is actually banged up. Note: I'm not buying the hype! Still, the defense coach loves to throw blitz packages all the time. Expect Brady to be very unbalanced at first as the front four will get to him. The offensive line for the Patriots is a great pass protecting line and the running backs can pick up some of those blitzes.

The linebackers are good, but won't be effective against New England's slant passes and screen plays. Speed will kill the Giants defense as the Patriots are way to quick at every position on the field except for the front four. The corner's will need to step up their game to help the front seven manage to keep Brady constantly pressured and unsteady. The goal of the Giants is to NOT let Brady become comfortable in the pocket and to create much need turnovers.

Overall, I think that the Giants will have a tough time controlling the Patriots. They are too quick and smart to be withheld from scoring. My final analysis is to expect the Giants to be in the game until end of the 3rd quarter where the Giants defense will be too tired to compete.

Final Score: Patriots 38, Giants 21