PFF Picks the Super Bowl

► With Sebastian Vollmer active, the Patriots will be able to utilize an extra offensive tackle to help limit the damage created by the Giants’ pass rush. Even though they’ll have to sacrifice a receiving option, the heavy line package should yield more benefits than drawbacks because Rob Gronkowski won’t be 100% effective and, in this instance, rotating he and Aaron Hernandez may be better than having them both on the field the majority of the time.

► This Patriots O-line is far better than the one that got demolished the last time these two faced each other in the Super Bowl. I have a feeling Brady will score enough points to win a shoot out. Can Edelman cover Cruz in the slot? Probably not. But then can Rolle cover Welker for the Giants? Just as unlikely.

► Here’s a stat from the PFF Signature Stats that I like–Tom Brady ranks 11th among QB’s under pressure. Eli Manning? First. Numero Uno. Top Dog. Why does this matter? For weeks Manning has been defying the odds, making clutch throw after clutch throw while playing behind a, quite frankly, terrible offensive line. How do you stop a guy who thrives so well with opposing defenders right in his face? If the MVP award was judged on 21 weeks of football instead of 17 (as it should be, in my opinion), then Eli would take the crown with a win in Indianapolis.

► The Patriots have a significantly better O-Line, but with Gronkowski less than 100%, that’s the only clear advantage they have. I believe the Patriots’ much-maligned defense will finally cost them here, especially if part-time wide receiver Julian Edelman or starting strong safety James Ihedigbo are caught trying to cover any of the Giants’ wideouts one-on-one.

► Trusting my gut on this one. So much points toward the Giants (and so much has been made of their run), but it still feels like it’s an uphill battle for them. Something breaks badly for New York early on, New England siezes control, and runs away with a comfortable win.

► I think this is as even a match as you’re likely to see. In the end, the battle between the Giants’ offense and Patriots defense swings it in New York’s favor. I love how Eli Manning is playing, so even if his line does give up pressure, the mismatch of the Giants’ receivers against the NE secondary should allow them to put up some points. On the other side of the ball, the edge is with NE, and I could see them dinking and dunking their way to the Lombardi trophy, but I just have a sneaky feeling the Giants may force Brady to get a bit more vertical, and allow their pass rush to make things happen. Almost too close to call.

► The Giants’ offense is much better than Baltimore’s and Tynes doesn’t choke.

► The Giants’ offense will be as formidable a group the Patriots have faced all season, but it will also be the worst offensive line they’ve faced, so they should be able to get pressure. This is key because pressure has been about the only thing allowing the defense to stop drives–whether it’s Eli Manning or Rex Grossman they’re facing. With those stops, I think Brady can lead enough scoring drives to edge the Giants in this epic rematch.

► They were my pick at the start of the year, so I’m not about to bail on them now. Unfortunately (for me and them anyway) my choice to face them was the Saints which I believe Bill and Tom would have preferred. Why? Because their pass rush is completely innocuous compared to the Giants’ and they still have nightmares about how the New York front four ripped them apart last time.

► I think New England can pull it out thanks to Wes Welker. The Giants didn’t have an answer for him earlier in the season, and with Rob Gronkowski hurting, the Patriots will rely on him even more.

► Brady and Belichick get their revenge. As impressive as Eli and the Giants have been, the Ravens D is better than the Giants’, and I don’t believe they can handle Brady & Co. quite so well and lose a close one. It will be tight, but Welker is the player that will make the difference.

► Just like in 2008, the Giants’ pass rushers will prove to be too much for New England’s offensive line. Eli Manning is playing the best football of his career and New England has no obvious answer for Victor Cruz.

► I have a feeling Chase Blackburn’s role will be key and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing for the Giants.

► I think the Giants are the better team, Eli Manning and Victor Cruz should have a field day against that secondary and I’ll be amazed if Cruz doesn’t have over 100 receiving yards. Defensively, the strength of the Giants’ defensive ends is going to be tough for the Patriots to deal with. That being said, I think the Patriots find a way to win this one and avenge their last Super Bowl matchup. Someone on that New England defense steps up later to seal the game.

► Their run has been a picture-perfect repeat of 2007 since they got hot by beating Dallas and I don’t see a reason to bail on them now.

► There is a lot of talk about the Giants’ defensive line and their domination in the last Super Bowl matchup, but I think the Patriots’ defensive line steals the show and takes advantage of the Giants’ weak O-line. It will be a close game, but Welker and Hernandez will be tough to stop and in typical 2011 fashion, the Patriots’ defense will do just enough to win the game.

► Not watching football avidly like the rest of the team, I flipped a coin: heads Giants, tails Patriots … heads it is!

► This is looking like its going to be a shootout with the winning team being the one who can control the ball the best in the 4th quarter. I trust Tom Brady a bit more then Eli Manning, which is why I am sticking with my preseason pick, The New England Patriots.

► Both teams have their elite QB’s. The Giants, however, differ via the brute force of their defense–similar to the 2007 unit. The Patriots have overcome their issues by excelling in situational matchups game by game and play by play. Popular opinion is that the Giants will win due to their D-line and having won the past two games. Brady, however, has only lost to the same team twice in one year three times. If Gronkowski is limited, look for the Patriots’ running backs to be the deciding factor on screens and draws here.

► Rob Gronkowski’s health, or lack thereof, will be crucial in this game. How effective he is will swing the result, but the Giants should have enough against the Patriots’ still-porous pass defense.

► Manning has been able to overcome his porous O-line all year and while the Patriots pass rush has improved, it’s back end is still easy enough to shred. Brady, as good as he is, won’t have it as easy and I think the Giants step it up on both sides of the ball when it counts.