Super Bowl Betting – Pats Avenge Super Bowl Loss, Take Down Giants With Defense

Online betting players should be starting to get ready for the Super Bowl, and this season’s matchup has a number of different storylines as the New York Giants looked eerily similar to the team that won the Super Bowl four years ago….when they upset New England. The Patriots also lost to the Giants during the regular season, but their defense will carry their dynasty to yet another Super Bowl victory.

What: NFL Betting
When: Sunday, February 5th, 6:29 PM ET
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Pick: New England Patriots -3

Why Bet On New York Giants (12-7 SU, 10-8-1 ATS)

The arguments against Eli Manning being an elite quarterback are declining by the day as he put the Giants on his back in a 23-20 overtime win in San Francisco, going 32-of-58 for 316 yards and two touchdowns, and he was under the pressure as the 49ers shut down their running game (85 yards on 26 carries). Victor Cruz had 10 receptions for 142 yards on a rainy and wet day for the Giants, which makes their aerial prowess even more impressive. The offensive line allowed six sacks and had a tough day in regards to opening holes for the running game, but they held up when they had to and Manning made some incredible plays. However, the defense and special teams did their share as well. The Giants had three sacks and stopped the 49ers on 12 of 13 third-down attempts, although they gave San Francisco four first downs due to penalties. The special teams also forced the 49ers’ Kyle Williams to fumble twice, and the second in overtime was the key to getting in position for Lawrence Tynes’ 31-yard field goal.

Tight end Jake Ballard (knee) limped through the NFC title game, so be sure to keep an eye on the news ahead of the Super Bowl for his status, as well as any other injury worries the Giants may have. This team, coached by Tom Coughlin, doesn’t get rattled by much, so the bright lights of the Super Bowl won’t bother them. Manning has won a record five playoff games on the road, and Coughlin has tied Dallas legend Tom Landry with seven postseason wins away from home. Pressure? What pressure?

Why Bet On New England Patriots (15-3 SU, 10-7-1 ATS)

New England’s defense was the story in a 23-20 win over Baltimore at home in the AFC championship game, which is something that most NFL betting players didn’t see coming. The Patriots racked up three sacks and stopped the Ravens on three of four trips to the red zone, and it was basically the story of the season for their defense: bend, but don’t break. Tom Brady was 22-of-36 for 239 yards, but he didn’t throw any touchdowns and was picked off twice, while the Patriots ran for 96 yards on 31 carries. His line did a good job of protecting Brady, but the Baltimore secondary did a great job on his receivers. This is why the Patriots have been considered the dynasty in the AFC over the last decade, with all due respect to Pittsburgh; they didn’t play their best football, but they made plays when they needed to be made and now they’re in the Super Bowl for the fifth time since 2001.

Tight end Rob Gronkowski (ankle) was seen leaving Gillette Stadium in a walking boot as he was hurt during the Baltimore game, but he did return, so you can expect him to play in two weeks. Led by head coach Bill Belichick and Brady, the Patriots are back in the big game and you know they were praying for the Giants to win on Sunday evening as they’ll have a chance to avenge their loss in Super Bowl XLII four years ago when the Giants ruined their unbeaten season. They’ll have to play much better offensively in order to defeat the Giants and in particular, their line has to protect Brady because four years ago, the New York defensive line dominated the Super Bowl.

How It Will Play Out

Early NFL betting odds have the Patriots favored by three points, although the line could shift over the next two weeks. New England is 2-2 SU and ATS in their last four meetings with the Giants, with three of the games going under the posted total, but the Giants have won the last two meetings SU; there was the Super Bowl win in Glendale, and there was a 24-20 win in New England in Week 9. Manning outplayed Brady, leading a late game-winning drive, while Brady committed three of the Patriots’ four turnovers.

Most of the talk heading into this game will surround the quarterbacks as Manning stated before the season that he belonged on Brady’s level; with one more Super Bowl, it won’t even be an argument anymore. However, this New England defense has had a knack for coming up with big plays when they need to and they’ll force Manning to make a couple of mistakes. Belichick and his staff will have a few wrinkles that Manning and his offense hasn’t seen before, and their defense will be story as the Patriots avenge their Super Bowl loss of four years ago, while covering the sports betting spread.