This football rivalry might not reach the maniacal standards of Yankees-Red Sox simply because the cities' roles seem to be reversed. The Patriots of Boston are often depicted as the NFL’s Evil Empire — you know, cheating Bill Belichick — while the New York Giants are more the homespun, family franchise. Even Belichick has a fondness for the Mara family, an organization that gave him his first big job, coordinating Bill Parcells’ defense back in the mid-1980s.
All week you will read about the Tom Brady revenge factor — the Giants ruined his run at perfection in Super Bowl XLII four seasons ago — and how the G-men were also the last team to beat the Patriots this season, exactly 10 wins ago.
But as we all gear up for the of the big game and the endless comparisons of the two Super Bowl XLVI teams, here are 10 critical players to keep tabs on during Super Bowl week:
1. Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski: This 22-year-old is a physical freak at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds but, like Brady in New England’s previous Super Bowl visit, has a serious left ankle injury. Gronkowski, the league’s best receiving tight end (record 17 touchdowns), has been in a walking boot all week. The dreaded high-ankle sprain (stretched ligaments) is feared, and we all know how limiting that injury can be. The Patriots employ more double-tight end formations than anybody because they don’t have anyone close to a Randy Moss this season. If Gronkowski can’t run and make his breaks while running routes, the Patriots will be minus their best offensive weapon.
