NFL Picks: AFC/NFC Championship Games

[strike wolf]

Here's a semi-on topic question: Let's say that Eli and the Giants beat Brady and the Patriots again but at some later point Brady and the Patriots defeat Eli and the Giants in the super bowl and through the course of their careers both QBs finish with 4 super bowl rings. Who goes down in history as the better quarter back? Eli who's 2-1 in head to head match ups vs Brady? Or Brady who at least at this point has had more all around success?

That depends on how Eli is getting his other 2 Super Bowls and how many other achievements he'll have over the course of his career.

Is Eli ever going to have an MVP season?
Will Eli be "just along for the ride" in the Super Bowl campaigns that are won primarily due to a great Giants D# (much like Big Ben won his rings)?

Yes I know there's a lot of factors, just saying keeping with current trends (calculating/estimating for yearly improvement). I dont think you can just say that Eli ran along with a great defense (though that should be a part of every Super Bowl team). Eli's postseason stats in his super bowl seasons:

comps. attmpts Yds. % avg. TDs INT Fmb QBR
2011 Postseason 76 123 923 61.8 7.50 8 1 1 103.1

2007 Postseason 72 119 854 60.5 7.18 6 1 ? 95.7

the stats don't lie. Manning has stepped up both seasons they've made it to the super bowl under him.

As far as great defenses in general. They do win super bowls. The only team in recent years that's won without a great defense was the Indianapolis Colts (I suppose you could argue New Orleans as well but New Orleans had a bend don't break defense that year which relied on getting turnovers and worked in that regards).

As far as the game itself. The Giants bring a great pass rush and while still a work in progress the Patriots defense is improving however the focus in this game is going to be on the offenses. I think the Giants can get some stops against Brady and The Patriots and can move the ball themselves. It should be a tight offensive battle (though maybe not quite as high scoring as some would predict) but I'm sticking with picking the Giants.

[oVo]

...when the losing teams both had bonehead plays that cost them the games.

It was the gifting of 10 points with boneheaded plays by the Texans that got the Ravens to the AFC Championship. San Fran got the catch to beat New Orleans and the Ravens nearly had the catch to beat the Pats.

The 1st turnover by the Niner punt returner was as ridiculous as the one Houston gave Baltimore a week earlier.

Will Eli be "just along for the ride" in the Super Bowl campaigns that are won
primarily due to a great Giants D# (much like Big Ben won his rings)?

I doubt the Steelers or Giants would have been in those Super Bowls without those starting QBs. Eli Manning has carried the team this year and set a record for 4th Quarter TDs in the process. No recent NFL Championships have been won with just defense.