Call it lucky, call it miraculous, call it whatever you want, but Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are in the Super Bowl once again.
I must say, though, I’m still not entirely sure how the Pats eked out a 23–20 win in Sunday’s AFC Championship game against Baltimore. I don’t know how second-string cornerback Sterling Moore came out of oblivion to punch the game-winning touchdown pass out of the clutches of the Ravens wideout Lee Evans at the last possible second. I don’t know how kicker Billy Cundiff botched an easy 32-yard field goal that would have sent the game into overtime. I don’t know how Brady managed to play so poorly against a quality team like the Ravens and still come away with the win.
But I’m certain about one thing: New England will defeat the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. No ifs, ands or buts about it.
This will be Brady’s fifth big dance, and of course, Patriots fans need no reminding about the last time he was here.
The 2008 gut-wrenching loss to New York that cost the team a perfect season still haunts New Englanders’ — and Brady’s — dreams to this day.
This isn’t just another Super Bowl for Brady. The guy’s already got three rings and a first-round ticket to Canton. The reality is, Brady’s legacy as the greatest quarterback of all time hangs in the balance of this game.
He cannot lose to Eli Manning twice, especially considering the circumstances of the last loss. Brady is well aware of this.
Forget about how bad the Patriots’ defense is, or how hot Manning has been this postseason. Never mind that Brady tossed two picks and no touchdowns against the Ravens. The bottom line is, the Patriots will not lose to the Giants because their quarterback will not let it happen.
There’s no way Brady lays an egg on Feb. 5 like he did against Baltimore. The Ravens were lucky to catch him on one of his off days, which happens just about as often as Pats’ coach Bill Belichick smiles. There’s just no way a well-rested and well-prepared Brady will bring anything but his “A” game to Indianapolis.
Though Brady has to compensate for a lackluster defense, it’s not like he’s working with a bunch of scrubs on his side of the ball.
Wes Welker, New England’s leading receiver, is a seasoned vet who knows how to make big-time plays in big-time situations. Tight-end Rob Gronkowski, an emerging superstar and the Pats’ biggest threat in the red zone, has a deadly combination of speed, strength and good hands.
Of course there’s the other tight end, Aaron Hernandez (11 catches for 121 yards this postseason), as well as Deion Branch (Super Bowl XXXIX MVP) and the small, but versatile combo of Danny Woodhead (wideout, running back, returner) and Julian Edelman (wideout, returner, defensive back).
The Giants’ defense may be solid and their pass rush fierce, but the Patriots’ skill guys are too quick, too talented, and there’s just too many of them that can hurt you.
Brady’s most valuable asset at Lucas Oil Stadium will be standing on the sideline in a hoodie. Bill Belichick is a football genius, and with a defeat of the Giants he will indeed “go down as the greatest coach in the history of the NFL,” as New England owner Robert Kraft recently told FOX Sports.
When you combine one of the greatest quarterbacks ever with one of the greatest coaches ever, it makes for a tandem that’s extremely difficult to beat in one Super Bowl, much less two.
The final and most important reason why Kraft, Belichick and company will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy this year can be summed up with one word, a word we humans know very well: revenge — and Tom’s too masterful to not take it.
Reach the columnist at kjnewma2@asu.edu
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