ChicagoSportsBlogs : Non Compete

It all comes to an end tonight in Arizona. The Patriots are looking to write the final chapter in their historical season. 19-0! I'm pulling for them, if only because I can't stand the '72 Dolphins. Mercury Morris is about to be shut up forever. That's worth watching the Patriots win yet another Superbowl.

The fact the Bears aren't in this game should reduce my stress levels as I enjoy the various tasty treats at this year's Superbowl party. The wife and I are making the trek all the way out to South Elgin to hang out with some friends. I don't know what your Superbowl party will be like, but ours are usually packed with buffalo wings, beef sandwiches, and tons of beer. I'm going to TiVo the game just in case I pass out from food coma. That way, I'll be able to give you that famous game analysis you have been accustomed to here at CSB.

Ok, so let's jump into the game. I've been watching so much pre-game and SportCenter in general, that I can't tell if my opinions are really my own, or if I just adopted what all the "experts" are saying. Let's go through some of the more obvious things. These are the sound bites that EVERYONE is using during their coverage.

• The Giants have a chance if they hit Brady.
• Randy Moss won't be effective because he'll be double and triple covered.
• The rushing game is more important to the Giants.
• Wes Welker has to be stopped on screen plays.
• Plax is still hurt, he won't be able to do much against the Pats.
• The Pats can't stop the run, Jacobs and Bradshaw should tear them up.
• Turnovers will only be an issue if they come at the hands of Eli Manning.
• The Giants have to win the battle of the lines.
• The Giants need to get out to a lead early, if they fall behind it will be tough on Manning.

That's a lot of obvious stuff. There is one more great generalization about this game between the Patriots and the Giants. The Patriots will either blow the Giants out of the water, or barely win. I'm going with the barely win scenario. The previous 3 SuperBowls that the Pats won were all by 3 points. This seems to be their magic number. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Patriots win this game 27-24. I can hear you all screaming out there - but wait! Hammering Hank made the same prediction. (Pats win by 3) Well, I'm going based on the facts at hand. Seems like Hammering Hank is too!

Superbowl games are never what we expect. So, for all of you out there that expect the Patriots to roar to a grand victory, think again. This will be a whimper of a game.