Column by Kyle Elliott
Ah, the Super Bowl; the football game of football games. It only happens once a year, and when it does, it can be pure magic. The New England Patriots are taking on the New York Giants on Sunday, Feb. 5 for the world champion title. The teams are both located in the northeastern part of the country, which might make it seem that no one cares unless you live in the Eastern time zone. The reality is the Super Bowl is a game celebrated worldwide.
Bellingham is no different. Even though we might not have thousands, or even hundreds, of fans of either team, people will flock to bars, restaurants, pubs or host house parties to watch the game and enjoy the much-anticipated commercials.
The last time the Giants were in the Super Bowl, they played against the New England Patriots. It will be the same match-up that took place in 2008 at Super Bowl XLII, when the Giants upset the Patriots 17-14. Look for the Patriots to gain revenge for not only the 2008 loss, but also this season’s loss at home to the Giants. The game will be highly contested and probably a hard-fought battle.
This game will have a lot of history on the line and a few major talking points.
First, the game is being held in Indianapolis, Ind., home of Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Peyton was unable to play this season due to a neck injury and his team suffered because of it. His brother, Eli Manning, was able to lead the New York Giants back to the Super Bowl. He has already won one, matched by his older brother Peyton two years later. Now Eli has the chance to win one more and in the city his brother plays in, on the Colt’s home field.
The Patriots could solidify themselves as the most recent dynasty in the NFL. They will have won three Super Bowls in the last 10 years, and this could be the fourth. Tom Brady will have the chance to win his fourth championship, which is impressive for a 34-year-old quarterback.
The game is too close to call. I think that with the injury to New England Patriots’ tight end, Rob Gronkowski, the game will be more even. Usually a tight end isn’t integral to an offense but this year Gronkowski redefined the position. He has a high ankle sprain he received in the AFC championship game two weeks ago.
The Giants, on the other hand, are playing at their peak. If you take away the games against the Seattle Seahawks and the first game against the Washington Redskins, their season was pretty consistent. The team is hot at just the right time and Eli Manning found a way to get a receiving core with no apparent superstar to throw to.
I think the Giants will win by 3 points, and I am picking the team to win by a late field goal, 20-17. In my opinion, the Patriots won’t be able to cope without Gronkowski. The game plan was supposed to be “grind it out against the defensive line and get them tired but without him fully healthy,” but they won’t be able to do that. The Giants defense will keep them in the game, and Eli will throw for two TDs. Don’t take my prediction to the bank — I am not nearly qualified to choose — but I do think that regardless of the outcome, the game will be a hard fight ‘til the clock runs out and the world champion is crowned.
