Betting tips / Andy Richmond / 01 February 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

It's week nine that Andy Richmond is harking back to in trying to determine who will win Super Bowl XLII.

As soon as the two Super Bowl XLVI protagonists were confirmed most analysts thought back to Super Bowl XLII, when the Giants not only beat the Patriots, but also left their perfect season in tatters in the closing moments, with the defining moment "The Catch" by David Tyree, a 32-yard reception on a desperate Eli Manning pass on a Giants 3rd and 5 on the G-Men's last drive of the game. That provided the platform for Manning to find Plaxico Burress for the go-ahead score as New York sealed a 17-14 win.

However, my thoughts were of a far more recent contest between the two when the Giants went to Foxboro back in Week 9 of the current season.

Once again the Giants came out on top, breaking the Pats' 20-game winning streak at home. Almost like their previous Super Bowl meeting, the game winner came in the final 20 seconds -- Manning to Jake Ballard in the back corner of the end zone, the Giants triumphing 24-20.

When looking ahead to any match-up, it's always instructive to analyse the most recent game between the two teams. It opens a window into individual contests, and offers a strategic template for the next meeting. The first point to make would be that it was the Giants who will enter Sunday's game with four important offensive starters returning to their line-up in Ahmad Bradshaw, Hakeem Nicks, David Baas and Henry Hynoski.

Having watched the game back recently, there were a few distinct themes that stuck in my mind and may have a significant bearing on how the game is played out on Sunday.

The first would be that it was noticeable that the Patriots generated very little pressure on Manning -- he was not sacked and very rarely hurried. Given time and space he will hurt the Patriots especially with his potent receiving corps and the Patriots porous secondary.

Secondly, with Nicks not playing it became easier for New England to disguise how they defended the dangerous Victor Cruz. If similar schemes are employed again, opportunities will be created for the other dangerous receivers Mario Manningham and the returning Nicks.

On that final winning drive Manning also demonstrated his ability to throw passes of elite quality as he has all season, and while we know Tom Brady for the Patriots has class and poise he didn't look sharp in this encounter either mentally or physically. He was inaccurate on some routine throws and a little late with his timing on some others that were there. That was also noticeable against the Ravens in the Conference championship game and with the Giants sure to bring pressure he could face the same struggles.

Looking at the way the Patriots lined up on offence, it seemed they were very concerned about the Giants bringing pressure (which they are sure to do) and that may also limit their ability to move the ball offensively, tying players into protection rather than looking to receive the ball.

What jumped out on film was the Giants' willingness to match up man-to-man. They were challenging and proactive in their coverage concepts and a similar challenge looks sure to be thrown down on Sunday tempting Brady to take them on.

All match-ups between good teams are tactically captivating. The Week 9 Giants/Patriots game was no different. There was much to be learnt from it and, if the Patriots adopt the same approach, they could suffer another New York nightmare.