We have all heard the pundits and so called experts break down every minute detail leading up to Sunday's clash between the Patriots and Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. The hype this game has received has been monumental as expected with a premier quarterback battle and given the fact that the game is a rematch of one of the greatest upsets in NFL history four years ago.
The national pundits seem to be split on who is going to win the game, but Cape Ann sure isn't, they love their Patriots. Here's how local athletes and coaches on Cape Ann see Sunday's big game playing out:
Mike Athanas, Manchester Essex football coach: Patriots 24 Giants 17, it's going to be a great game, the Giants are hitting on all cylinders right now but so are the Patriots. If New England can block the Giants defensive line they will put up points and hopefully the defense can continue to make plays.
Bill Cahill, Gloucester boys basketball coach: Patriots 38 Giants 31, if Brady's on his game, which he will be, the Patriots will win easily.
Kim Patience, Gloucester High School Athletic Director: Patriots 17 Giants 7, I think it's going to be a low scoring, defensive game. There is a lot more at stake for New England and I will take Tom Brady over Eli Manning any day.
Kyle Lucido, GHS football and basketball player: Patriots 24 Giants 14, it all depends on if Brady plays well and he will. Plus (Rob) Gronkowski is back and the Giants won't be able to stop him.
Tim St. Laurent, Rockport boys basketball coach: Patriots 24 Giants 21, Bill Belichick won't lose to the same team twice in one year, especially with an extra week to prepare.
Heather Cain, Gloucester basketball player: Patriots 35 Giants 27, Tom Brady wins it for them.
Duane Sigsbury, Manchester Essex boys basketball coach: Patriots 35 Giants 21, Gisele's prayers are answered.
Sean Nally, Manchester Essex basketball player: Patriots 17 Giants 14, Gostkowski hits a three at the buzzer.
Derek Papalegis, Rockport hockey coach: Patriots 28 Giants 21, I think it will end up being a good thing they that lost to the Giants in the regular season because Belichick doesn't lose to the same team twice.
Audrey Knowlton, Gloucester basketball player: Patriots 35 Giants 28, because Gronkowski is a beast.
Mary Ellen Zielski, GHS Athletic Trainer: Patriots 30 Giants 20, people are usually asking if Gronkowski is going to play. I say if I was taping him up he will be. He plays and the Patriots win.
Joe Burgess, Manchester Essex football and basketball player: Patriots 31 Giants 28, we have the best quarterback in the NFL and the Giants won't be able to cover Gronk.
Pat Barry, GHS Equipment Manager: Giants 28 Patriots 22, I just don't like the Patriots.
Chris Bishop, Manchester Essex boys basketball player: Patriots 27 Giants 24, the Patriots tight ends are going to be too tough for the Giants.
David Wright, Manchester Essex boys basketball player: Patriots 28 Giants 17, the Patriots are going to wear the Giants out with their offense and pull away late.
Lori Sanborn, Gloucester girls basketball coach: Patriots 21 Giants 14, Patriots are going to come out flying and take out Eli early.
Keri Brewer, Gloucester basketball player: Patriots 31 Giants 14, Brady's going to go off.
Zach Smith, Gloucester football and basketball player: Patriots 24 Giants 17, it's going to be all Brady Sunday and he is going to win another MVP.
So there you have it, the Patriots are overwhelming favorites on Cape Ann with 17 picking the home town team and just one going for the Giants. Lets make it two, I'm taking the Giants 27-24. It's going to be a close game and the Patriots can win but they are slight underdogs and I don't see them containing Cruz, Nicks or Manningham. The kicker is Ahmad Bradshaw who brings stability to the Giants running game and he was injured the last time the two met.
Hope the prediction is wrong but the Giants are the favorites in my book, they knock off the Patriots, Eli has nothing to do with the team winning but he gets the MVP anyway because that's how football works now.
Good news is the Patriots are young and improving, bad news is they are running into the hottest team in the NFL on Sunday.
