New York Giants (12-7 SU, 11-7-1 ATS) vs. New England Patriots (15-3 SU, 10-8 ATS), 6:30 p.m. EST, Super Bowl 46, Sunday, February 5, 2012, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind., TV: NBC
by Badger, NFL Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: NYG +3/NE -3
Over/Under Total: 55
Wager on Super Bowl XLVI using your credit card at an online sportsbook where it will work and where you know that your money is safe: Bovada Sportsbook.
Old friends will meet again for a Super Bowl rematch on Sunday, February 5th, 2012, when the New York Giants and the New England Patriots meet for Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The New York Giants and New England Patriots will have another go-around to try and match their classic in Super Bowl 42 in 2008, setting the stage for high theater inside the dome of Lucas Oil Stadium for the NFL’s biggest Sunday of the year.
The NFL couldn’t have asked for a better matchup either, complete with storyline galore. Both Eli Manning and Tom Brady are playing at elite levels, both teams have legendary coaches in Tom Coughlin and Bill Bilichick. Both teams are hot at the right time of the year, both have players who have been on the biggest stage before, so hopefully the game will match the hype in two weeks when the Super Bowl kicks off on NBC.
Heck, even the way these two team reached the NFL title game was eerily similar, with both teams ending up on both ends of a game-ending field goal attempt in their respective Championship games.
Did you know... that you can bet on ALL college and pro hoops and basketball games at -105 instead of the -110 that you're betting with your bookie? Do the math and when you see the gobs of cash that you'll save by making the switch, get yourself signed up at the web's best sportsbook: 5Dimes.
Once again it was a clutch overtime field goal by Lawrence Tynes to send the Giants back into the Super Bowl, winning the NFC title game over San Francisco, 20-17. The AFC Championship should have gone into overtime too, but New England watched Baltimore’s game-tying field goal attempt sail wide to give the Patriots a hang-on, 23-20 victory and another trip to the Super Bowl.
New England will once again be considered the underdog in this SB XLVI clash, with oddsmakers installing New England as 3.5-point favorites when the line opened late on Sunday night. With some early money on the red-hot Giants though, the line has come down to minus -3 points at most sportsbooks in Las Vegas and offshore.
The over/under total opened at 55.5 early on but it too has dropped a little since it’s release, listing at 55 or even 54.5 at most books since much of the quick money is coming in on the under.
Offensively there will be a lot of firepower on the field, which explains the really high over/under total, with Brady and Manning and Gronkowski and Cruz and Bradshaw and Welker and …
Which is why it’s cliché to say it, but this game really will come down to defense.
The last time the New England offense and Brady was stopped was the last time the Giants and their defense came to Foxborough in week nine of the regular season. The Giants forced two Brady interceptions, cashed in on two Patriots fumbles and the G-men walked away victorious again, 24-20. So Super Bowl 46 has almost an identical feel to it as it did when the Giants-Patriots met in No. 42, with Brady and the Patriots searching for a way to protect Brady without stifling the output.
The Patriots defense seems to have found some answers in the playoffs, dropping their yards allowed total from 411 during the season to just 325 in the postseason. But let’s remember that the Denver Tebows and the Ravens aren’t exactly offensive powerhouses, so for my money this game essentially comes down to whether of not I think the Pats defense can win it for them late in the game. The Patriots have been getting by with smoke and mirrors, and I think the Super Bowl will expose this defense again as being the Achilles heel that keeps them from winning another title.
Badger’s Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I like the Giants to complete another storybook season with another underdog win over Brady and the Pats, but with lots of offense to do it. I’m thinking 31-28 or 35-31. So I’m taking the Giants plus the points and the over of 55.
For a differing opinion and prediction on Super Bowl XLVI, check out Jay's take right here: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots Pick.
Editor's Picks - Each week our in house pro's tackle the week's card and make predictions on the week's games ATS! Best bets, top plays, premium selections, etc. FREE!
Expert NFL Picks - Free premium plays from the "real" expert football handicappers from around the web. Don't fall for second rate picks from ESPN, the NFL Network, Hank Goldberg or the screaming touts on TV.
Underdog of the Week Pick - We forecast the loudest barking dog of the week. Expect a 60% winning percentage with these plays.
Favorite of the Week Play - We examine "the chalk" and determine the safest bet in which who you should lay the points with. Forecasting winning favorites long term isn't easy, but we've had some pretty good luck with it over the years.
The Armchair Quarterback Predictions - ACQ makes an appearance at Predictem to give out his much coveted troika of free weekly NFL picks. Put your helmet on and tackle your bookie with these sick picks. He is simply FLAT NASTY!
Line Movement Plays - We report all the major line moves from the gridiron and forecast whether it's public money or sharp action causing the move.
NFL Consensus Picks - See what the general public is betting on. We use this info to fade the public to the tune of big profits over the course of the season.
NFL Trends - Don't ever let anybody tell you that the trend is your friend. These picks make great fades which is exactly what we do with them.
Monday Night Football Picks - The ultimate bailout play. Our MNF picks are golden and have hit 62% or better 3 out of the past 4 years. (Last season was a disaster!) Did we mention that their FREE?
Superbowl Predictions - Our take before the season on who we think will win Superbowl XLVI. We'll update with a final pick based on the actual remaining teams a week prior to the big game at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5th, 2012.
Super Bowl Picks - Everybody here in the Predictem office takes their best preseason shot at predicting the winner Superbowl 46. Pride is on the line here! Oh, and LOOT too! Picks will be updated a 2nd and final time two weeks before the Super Bowl plays.
Free UFL Picks - Point spread predictions for the United Football League each week of their season (starting in October).
5Dimes - Bet your NFL football picks at -105 odds every day of the week! 15 team parlays! 20 point teasers! Pleasers and huge point buying opportunities as well!
Intertops - Tired of deposit hassles? Bet on football using your credit card at a sportsbook where your Visa CAN and WILL work for deposits!
SBG Global - Best parlays odds online! Get paid 12-1 on 4 team parlays! Best at accepting credit cards for deposits too!
Football Bets - We explain all the different types of wagers that you can place on an NFL game and give advice on which ones good and which are sucker bets. We also explore the value of betting at reduce odds.
Superbowl Betting - We explain all the different types of wagers you can making including point spread bets, totals, moneylines and prop bets.
Statless NFL Handicapping - The quick, easy way and yes, it's effective!
Betting NFL Underdogs - It's the first thing you should consider every Sunday. We explain why.
Choosing an Online Sportsbook - We talk about things to consider before you commit to play at one.
Famous Football Quotes - From the inspirational to the greatest touchdown calls of all time. We've got them!
Pro Football Hall of Fame - A full list of NFL players who have been inducted into the NFL HOF.
The Spread - Offers free NFL football predictions, matchups, stats including both offensive and defensive and more!
Fantasy Football Sites - Get recommendations on where to find weekly updated player news, depth charts and legit websites that offer the best stat and record tracking for your fantasy football league.