Victorious!
Written by Peter Gailunas
We all know that Boston is the City of Champions but it’s been so long since the Patriots have won a Super Bowl. Among the 4 major local sports teams, the Patriots have the longest championship drought. Since they won in 2005, the Red Sox (2007), Celtics (2008) and Bruins (2011) have all been crowned as champs in their respective sports. In the college ranks, Boston College (2008, 2010) and Boston University (2009) have won men’s hockey titles. And don’t forget about the Boston Cannons (who?), our Major League Lacrosse team who won the 2011 Steinfeld Cup. (Doesn’t have quite the same ring as Stanley Cup, does it?) Will the Pats end the longest championship drought by any of our teams this Sunday? Let’s see how they match-up against the Giants.
While the Patriots are the Las Vegas favorite, the Giants seem to have become everyone else’s favorite. The so-called experts are saying the Giants are the hot team; Eli Manning is better than Tom Brady (and Peyton) in the 4th quarter; and Tom Coughlin is just as good as Bill Belichick. Well I’m sticking with the Patriots to win for a few reasons but mostly because I don’t want to go to bed Sunday night upset that they lost and then spend Monday at work with 9 other miserable guys.
Here are some other reasons the Pats will win:
Motivation Factor
Belichick and Brady thrive in the underdog role. They haven’t been in that role too often recently, but this week the media is all over the Giants. Eli and Coughlin are awesome. The Patriots defense stinks except for Vince Wilfork. Edelman is a receiver playing defense. Gronkowski is injured. Belichick and the Patriots love to use these perceived slights for motivation. Thank you media. Motivation Factor Advantage: Patriots.
Hype Factor
The Giants are believing the hype. Some players are saying and doing the wrong things. Manningham said he can’t wait to go against Edelman. Canty is guaranteeing a victory parade on Tuesday. And Osi Umenyiora didn’t show up for a mandatory media session supposedly because of his contract situation. C’mon Giants! Everyone knows that you’re supposed to sing the praises of the opponent before the game. All the Pats players keep saying is that the Giants are a very good team and it’s going to be a tough game. Hype Factor Advantage: Patriots.
Myra Factor
The Patriots dedicated their season to the memory of owner Bob Kraft’s wife, Myra, who passed away before the season. The players, coaches, and staff genuinely love Bob Kraft. (Heck, even players on other teams like the Colts’ Jeff Saturday love him.) They would love nothing more than a Super Bowl championship in the season dedicated Myra. It’s the least they can do since she pushed Billy Cundiff’s kick wide left. Myra Factor Advantage: Patriots.
Name Factor
I did a little research and found that the team with the most fun-to-say names usually wins the Super Bowl. Hey, Tedy Bruschi has three titles. The Giants have some great names on their roster; Mathias Kiwanuka, Mario Manningham, Prince Amukamara, Osi Umenyiora, Henry Hynoski. The Patriots, I would argue, have more guys with great names. There’s Niko Koutouvides, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Gostkowski, Gronkowski, Ninkovich, Woodhead, Ochocinco (I’ll be shocked if the announcers have to say his name at all on Sunday). The Pats also have the guy with the most fun-to-say name, possibly in the entire league – James Ihedigbo! Buddy the Elf would have a lot of fun saying that. And his middle name is Ugochu! The announcers love saying Ihedigbo. Whenever he makes a play, they say his name about a dozen times. I also think Ihedigbo the person is fun. He went to Umass-Amherst (was a minuteman teammate of Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz) and introduces himself on those start of the game line-up shots as “James Ihedigbo, Defensive Back, ZooMass.” So you know he likes to party. Name Factor Advantage: Patriots.
Prediction
The Patriots will win because they’re due, at least by Boston sports standards. The Giants believing the hype and giving the Pats any extra motivation they might need. And if we need a last minute field goal miss by the Giants or a game saving tackle, Myra will take care of it. Final score: Patriots win 31-27. MVP: Tom Brady or James Ihedigbo.
Go Pats!
