Superbowl XLVI New York Giants vs New England Patriots: Pats WR vs Giants Cornerbacks
Everyday leading up to the Superbowl, I’ll take a look at one matchup on the field and pick the favorite. Today’s first matchup will deal with the New England Patriots Wide Receivers against the Giants cornerbacks. I actually think that this is the most important matchup in the entire game. The Giants are going to do whatever they can to take away Groknowski and Aaron Hernandez which will leave a lot of single coverage on the outside. Can the Patriots find a way to take advantage of the single coverage?
Let’s look at the matchups.
Corey Webster should be on Deion Branch or Aaron Ross
Branch is a smaller wide receiver at 5’9 195 pounds who relies on his quickness and his chemisty with Tom Brady. During the season Branch had 702 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns. In two playoff games this year Branch has 103 yards receiving and a touchdown. Webster is a bigger physical cornerback who is average in run support, but has done a good job all season limiting the oppositions number one cornerback. Webster will have a lot of opportunities to press Branch and should be able to handle him. Webster isn’t a lock-down cornerback, but he’s very good, a just a step below lock-down and has the advantage in this matchup.
Ross is faster than Branch, and also bigger, but Ross is inconsistent. I think Branch could have one big catch and end up with 6 catches for 85 yards or something if he sees a lot of Ross, but if the Giants can generate a really good pass rush than this advantage will be negated.
Wes Welker on Corey Webster
The Patriots offense now move Welker on the outside a lot while they have two tight ends on the inside and then Corey Webster might draw the matchup here on Welker. I think Webster will do a good job limiting big plays if he lines up on Welker, but Welker is too quick for Webster in the short area. I think Welker could easily have 10 catches for 100 yards and maybe a touchdown, especially if Gronk is out of the game.
Antrel Rolle on Wes Welker
This is a dream matchup for the Patriots. Rolle has some natural coverage ability he was the 6th overall pick in the draft as a cornerback and played cornerback early in his career. Rolle has done a lot of work in the slot this year, but that’s not his best position. If the Giants have to pull Rolle down to cover Wes Welker that’s a huge plus for the Patriots as Deon Grant will be forced to play safety. Grant is a smart, savvy safety but lacks the athletic ability he once possessed.
The Patriots don’t really use any other wide receivers. Chad Ochocinco was inactive last week. The Patriots might have to use Edeleman or Slater more if Gronkoswki misses the game (I can’t imagine that happening).
Prince Amukamara/Aaron Ross on Chad Ochocinco
Ochocinco was inactive last game because of a personal matter i believe and should be back for this game. Ochocinco hasn’t had a great year at all, but has always enjoyed the limelight, he’ll be looking to make a big impact in his first Superbowl appearance. Can he?
Numbers from the first game:
Wes Welker in the first game had 9 receptions for 136 yards and scored a touchdown.
Deion Branch 2 catches for 21 yards.
The Patriots don’t really use any other wide receiver, maybe Julian Edelman who had 2 catches on the season and has done more punt returns and playing cornerback this year than wide receiver.
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Advantage: Giants
The weakness of the Patriots offense is probably their wide receivers. Especially down field. The Patriots have a difficult time stretching the football field. If the Patriots can make a play or two over the top it would really open things up for their TE and Welker underneath. The problem is they have not been able to do that consistently all year, and I can’t rely on a hunch that they will figure that problem out in the last game of the season against one of the pass rushes in the league (which forces quick throws and disrupts timing between WR and QB.