If any Super Bowl game proved that anything can happen on the field, it was four years ago when the New York Giants stunned the then-undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Super Bowl XLVI promises to be less shocking, as the Giants aren't sneaking up on anyone this time around. But despite this Super Bowl featuring many different players, and despite it lacking the undefeated storyline of four years ago, some of the on-field keys remain the same.
The main one is how the Patriots offensive line is going to deal with the Giants' pass rush. In Super Bowl XLII, the Giants' ability to consistently put pressure on Tom Brady with their front four allowed them to significantly slow down New England's historic passing attack, and not much will have changed this time around, as the Patriots are still looking to throw the ball early and often. To that end, maybe the biggest match up in the entire game will be between New England's deadly tight end duo of Rob Gronkowski (provided that he's healthy) and Aaron Hernandez going up against the Giants' safety tandem of Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips. Rolle and Phillips are two above average safeties, but both were burned for touchdowns by San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis in the NFC Championship.
Game date/time: February 5, 2012, 5:30 p.m. CST
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
TV: NBC
Streaming: NBCSports.com
Odds: New England by 2.5
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this Super Bowl matchup, head over to Pats Pulpit and Big Blue View. For more from around the NFL, visit SB Nation's NFL news hub.
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