NFL Super Bowl Against the Spread Picks

We're down to the final game to pick, and Jeremy and Brien are tied for the lead.

Brien (47-46-2 for .505)

It all comes down to this. Jeremy has made it clear that he's taking the Giants, so I could play it safe, make the same pick, and guarantee myself a share the season title. Of course, then he'd bitch and moan for the entire off-season. Plus, I happen to think he's wrong.

New England (-12) over NY Giants - The two week layoff, combined with the totally understandable hatred of the Patriots, is causing people to over think the game and talk themselves into taking the Giants. New York is a hot team right now, and they played the Patriots close just 5 weeks ago. But the Patriots are undefeated. Belichick and Brady are 3-0 in Super Bowls. I would like nothing more than to see the Patriots lose. I just don't think they will.

OVER 54 - If you're laying the points, I think you also have to take the over in this game. The under would mean that the Giants have to score less than 21 points (21 to 33 would be a push on both counts). So I expect a high scoring Super Bowl.

Jeremy & Magic 8 Ball (45-44-6 for .505, 50-39-6 for .558)

Jeremy's Picks:

So here we are... I can't even call it The Big Game apparently thanks to the folks in NFL Legal [J-Red's Note: The NFL lost their bid to trademark "The Big Game"]. I could take to referring to it in Pig Latin like DC talk radio hosts who are sponsoring a Upersay OwlBay Party. One game out from Brien, who knows if he's going to give me the chance to catch him for the tie. Here goes:

NY Giants (+12) over New England Patriots - Perfect field conditions, Brady and the Patriots going for history, Belichick with two weeks to prepare for the Giants, Eli playing well over his head for three consecutive weeks now... this game should be over by halftime. Nonetheless, I think the Giants defense is going to pressure Brady in a way that he hasn't faced in a really long time and he'll have to resort to lots of dump-off passes in the slot. I think the Giants should be successful against Moroney and Faulk's running game. I think the Patriots will win. I don't see them covering this spread. I see maybe a ten-point game. But like I said, this game very well could be out-of-hand by halftime.

OVER 54.

Magic 8 Ball Picks:
Are the Patriots technically the home team because they represent the AFC in a Super Bowl ending in an even-numbered year? My answer is that's right bitches!

NY Giants (+12) over New England Patriots - "No." [Patriots won't cover the spread.]

OVER/UNDER - Magic 8 Ball doesn't know how to pick this because there's no home team.

J-Red (43-49-3 for .468)

New England Patriots (-12) over NY Giants - Man, the Giants have said and done everything right this week. They look comfortable and confident, and Strahan is looking like he might play the game of his life. As much as I'd like to take the Giants, there's one factor that drives me crazy. These two teams just met a month ago. That means they have to change things up a little. Who do I trust to do that better, Belichick or Coughlin? Yeah.

UNDER 54 - I know taking the under and laying 12 at the same time is risky, but I think this game is on Maroney's legs. I'm thinking something in the neighborhood of 27-10.

Russell (41-51-3 for .447)

NY Giants (+12) over New England Patriots - The Pats win, but not by much. The Pats haven't won a game by 12 since Miami in Week 16, and they are 2-8 ATS in their last 10. The Giants are 8-2 ATS in their last 10. The Belichick Patriots have won each of their Super Bowls by 3, and the Super Bowl hasn't been a 2 TD blowout since 2003. The Giants only lost by 3 in their first meeting, and it's easy to make a case that the Giants will play better this time since they're not at home. GO G-MEN!!

UNDER 54 - Both teams will run the ball quite a bit. The Pats will do it to control (and exploit) Strahan and Osi, and the Giants will do it because that's what they do best and it keeps Brady off the field. Running the ball runs the clock and keeps the score down. Neither team has played a game over 54 this postseason.

Standings

Magic 8 (50-39-6 for .558)
Brien (47-46-2 for .505 -- 5 GB)
Jeremy (45-44-6 for .505 -- 5 GB)
J-Red (43-49-3 for .468 -- 7.5 GB, 3.5 GB Humans)
Russell (41-51-3 for .447 -- 11.0 GB, 5.5 GB Humans)

All of us: 226-229-20 for .497
Humans: 176-190-14 for .482