All week long you have been hearing about the Giants pass rush vs Pats OL, but Pats have had 70 passes in the postseason and Brady has been sacked only once. You also have heard about the Giants 5 game win streak and how they have given up only 67 points during that time. Pats have their own 10 game win streak. Pats D has improved and is underrated. After allowing 411.1 total yards during regular season, they have allowed only 325.0 during the postseason. Statistically, the Giants D is not good ranking 27th overall (376.4), 29th vs pass (255.1) and 19th vs run (121.2).

Brady usually has a good game after a bad one and with a win, Brady will have 17 playoff wins which will pass Montana. His 4 SB wins would tie Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw for the most ever for a QB cementing Brady’s status as the best QB of all time.

Final Score: Patriots 38 Giants 13

Early Prediction: Saints will blow out 49ers next week
Dan

GB -2.5 or 3 vs Pitt

This is an interesting matchup between the Steeler’s #1 scoring defense vs at 14.5 pts vs Green Bay’s #2 scoring D at 15pts per game and 5th in yards allowed. Pitt also held opponents to 62.8 yards per game rushing. There are two key factors in GB’s favor. The first is speed at the receiver position for GB and Aaron Rodgers play indoors. Both were evident when GB mauled Atlanta in Atlanta, 48-21.GB features 3-4 receivers on most plays and Rodgers can run as well. The Steelers have 6 starters on defense who are at least 30 years or older. Pitt is good against the run but has been suspect against the pass.
In 8 games over the past 5 years against quarterbacks who have led their teams to the Super Bowl at some point during that span, Pitt has allowed opponents to rack up big numbers. Among the numbers generated by the likes of Warner, Brady and Aaron Rodgers are a 105.7 average QB rating, an average of 28.5 points scored, 20 TD passes and only 2 picks. The Steelers lost five of those 8 games including a beat down at the hands of the Pats this year 39-26. Brady went 30 of 43 for 350 yards and three TD’s. Brees, Rodgers and Warner have put up 300 yard games vs Pitt and all have thrown with abandon in each of them attempting at least 40 passes. Another advantage for GB is that Pitt will be without starting center Maurkice Pouncey. Lastly, Pitt backers will spout how Steelers have more SB experience than Packer players. This stat is overrated as the Saints beat a more experienced Indy team last year and Giants beat Pats as well.