Superbowl

Predicting the outcomes of sporting events comes with the uncertainty. People who gamble use investing-like strategies to do it for an occupation. In the NFL playoffs, there are four teams still standing. Two will fall this weekend. Each team deserves to be there, and all have a chance to win the eternal glory that is the Lombardi Trophy. There are enough statistics available to find out who has the best chance. This information is very valuable when it comes to gambling.

            The Ravens, Patriots, Giants, and 49’ers all have great teams, but the most valuable player in the Superbowl is almost always the quarterback. The quarterback is the captain of the offense and is the most influential player on the team. If the quarterback is doing well, then the offense is doing well. The Patriots and the Giants both have solid players at the position. Tom Brady practically carried his team to the playoffs, the Patriots had an ineffective running game and a less than stellar defense. Eli Manning is also a great quarterback with almost 5000 passing yards this season. Alex Smith on the 49’ers is a good player, but he is a rookie and  isn’t as experienced. Joe Flacco is an average player and just that. He is inconsistent and not the best clutch player. The main reason why he got to the playoffs was because of his team’s exceptional defense.

            “Offense wins games, defense wins championships.” Nobody knows the origin of this quote, but it is one of the truest statements ever proclaimed about football. If the other team doesn’t score points, you can’t lose. A defense isn’t the most glamorous part of the game, but it is half the battle. The Ravens and the 49’ers have the best defenses in the league, and the Giants have a pretty good one too. The Patriots, however have one of the worst defense against the pass. The Patriots have a high powered offense, but the opposing team just plows them over. It is hard to win without a respectable defense.

            Each of the four teams is there for a reason. For the Ravens, it is their rock solid defense that stops the opponents from scoring more than them. The 49’ers have their great defense and a talented young quarterback to propel them to victory. The Giants have a well rounded team with a proven quarterback, a great rushing game, and a solid defense. The Patriots are an offensive powerhouse with one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. All are great teams, but who is the best of them? Three games will soon decide that.

            Based on the stats, I can make a logical conclusion on what I think will occur in the playoffs. In the AFC championship game between the Ravens and the Patriots, I believe that the Ravens defense will slow down Tom Brady, and the game will turn to Joe Flacco. I don’t think he can handle with the game on the line, so I think that the Patriots will win. In the NFC championship, I expect Eli Manning to have a pretty good game, considering he is on a hot streak. The game will be decided on whether or not the Giants defense can hold against the exceptional 49’ers running game. In the Superbowl game, I predict that it will be a rematch of 2007’s, Giants versus Patriots. I feel this match-up would result in a shoot-out. In the end however, I believe that Tom Brady will put the Giants in a deficit that they can’t overcome. Based on my research, there is a lot of evidence stating that the Patriots will win the Superbowl.