i'm starting to get comfortable with predicting a big pats win myself, but can't help but feel that i'm somehow jinxing them by doing so.
I am normally very paranoid and cognizant of the possibility of jinxing the Pats, but I have no qualms about saying I'm picking the Pats something like 45-13 against the Giants. I really think this is going to turn into one of those SB routs that is over by halftime.
It's math to me:
The score of the last game was 38-35. We are adding the rightside of our OL back and Kyle Brady. Kyle Brady means more formations and an even more efficient offense, and in particular, a better rushing attack. So I'm going to add 7 points to the Patriots offensive total.
I'm going to subtract the crummy defense, it was the worst defense of the year. The game plan was vanilla, and sure, we always play it straight in the first half, but we normally at least bend without breaking. We broke. I sincerely doubt BB and Pees will concoct a game plan that lets Manning beat them at this point, they have to respect him more. So, with the advantage of having already experienced playing Manning, with the defense playing far better than it was in Week 17, particularly in the red zone, I'm going to subtract one TD and turn another two offensive TDs into a FG. So they're losing 15 points.
The kickoff return might not exactly be a fluke, but I'm doubting it occurs again. I subtract 7 points there.
So 38+7 = 45.
35-15-7=13
That's how I safely come about at predicting my score. The Giants just can't stop us from scoring and there's no way I see us allowing them to score at will as they did in Week 17. If we get a quick lead, if we force them to pass, this game will be over by half-time.