We did a little Q and A with TJ Rosenthal over at The Jet Report, you can listen in live today from 2-4 on East Village Radio with Fitzy co-hosting.
Were the Pats lucky to escape against the Ravens?
Mike D: Of course, but every Super Bowl run involves some degree of luck. Cough Tuck Rule. But the Giants had some luck too. Ultimately the Pats did make some clutch plays at the biggest moments and that’s why they won. Home field advantage certainly helped matters so winning the one more game than the Ravens did in the regular season turned out to be huge.
Can they beat the Giants if Brady is not on top of his game?
Mike D.:Its doubtful. Maybe you can get away with beating Joe Flacco when Brady lays a turd, but not Elisha Manning.
How beat up do you think Gronk REALLY is?
Mike D.: I think Gronk is just the kind of meathead who can go out and play a huge game. I think he’s definitely hurt, and the Patriots will want to take steps to avoid putting him in-line blocking too much. Having Vollmer back could help that situation as Nate Solder has shown he can be the blocking tight end. But I would not be surprised to see a 2 TD game from Gronk. He doesn’t seem to be human.
Revenge factor: Does it matter? (re: 2008 SB 42 and loos in Foxboro this year?)
Mike D.: I think the loss earlier this season is the bigger factor because its something that directly affected this team. That said, I’m sure the Krafts, BB, TB, Welker, Wilfork, the O-Line have it in the back-to-middle of their mind and the fans will have it pretty close to the top of theirs. But the great majority of Pats will draw their motivation from this years loss, especially how it was a complete defensive failure at the end of the game. They should have something to prove, especially with how they completely shut the Giants offense down for 3/4s of the game. Brady moved the ball, 4 Patriots turnovers were the difference. Can having Nicks and Bradshaw this time make up the difference for those turnovers if they don’t get them this time? It will be interesting.
Pats win if: Giants win if:
Mike D.: Pats win if Tom Brady doesn’t turn the ball over and the defense gets red zone stops/turnovers. Giants win if they rattle Brady and are able to run the ball.