Fathead Blog

With Super Bowl week here, prep yourself for nonsensical questions from non-sports media regarding players’ favorite foods, that oh-so-important boxers or briefs inquiry, or even faux marriage proposals. Every media member in the world will seemingly be there and mindless drivel will be front and center. And don’t even get me started on the takeover of sports talk shows this week by former players pitching every promotion and gadget under the sun.

Still, this is the biggest game of the year and there are lots of key storylines to watch. Here are my top five (with an honorable mention to the injury to Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski):

Eli Vs. Peyton – Ask anyone about the siblings and the consensus is generally that Peyton Manning is the better quarterback. But with each having one Lombardi trophy under their belts, Eli could gain some more consideration for the title of best in the family. Personally, I’d still lean towards Peyton since I considered him the best quarterback in the league in many seasons over his career. I’m not sure you can say that about Eli. But either way, both are extremely talented and if Eli surpasses his brother in championships, the school of thought that he’s the better signal caller will grow.

If Eli Manning can get his second Super Bowl win, the discussion around himself and Peyton will tighten up.

Ascent of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick – Already considered one of the elite coaches in pro football, Belichick can reach another level with a win over the Giants on Sunday. With three Super Bowl titles already, a fourth would tie him with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Chuck Noll for the most all time.

In that same vein, Tom Brady’s three championships as the Patriots’ quarterback leave him one behind Joe Montana. Even though both are behind Terry Bradshaw when it comes to quarterbacks winning Super Bowls, the Brady > Montana talk will increase if Brady is able to tie him.

Revenge, Revenge, Revenge – Another story you’re sure to hear about this week is the fact that the Patriots will be seeking to avenge their 2008 loss to the G-Men. Please. That game was four years ago and while some of the same players are still around, both rosters have seen plenty of changes since then. Key players from those 2008 squads that won’t be suiting up this time around include Randy Moss, Michael Strahan, Plaxico Burress, Asante Samuel, Tedy Bruschi, Donte Stallworth, Amani Toomer, and Jeremy Shockey among others. These are largely two different teams made up of new players.

Madonna at Halftime – Chances that Madonna will do something wildly controversial during the halftime show? Slim to none. Madonna’s act has been severely toned down since her 80s and 90s days and with the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake fiasco still fresh in the minds of the fans, you can bet the NFL is doing its best to ensure a family-friendly act. But her performance will nonetheless get people to stay tuned in on Sunday.

The ‘Underdog’ Giants vs. the Big Bad Patriots – This theme will undoubtedly be beaten like a drum this week despite the fact that it’s simply not true. The Giants won two road games against the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers. While they had a bit of, let’s say, help, in that game against the Niners, beating two of the league’s best teams on the road means they’re not lucky – they’re good. Behind Eli Manning, New York boasts the fifth best passing offense in the league and with more than 2,700 receiving yards from Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks alone, the Giants have the ability to put points on the board. New York has won six of their past seven games and is just now hitting their stride.