Quarterback: (Adv- Patriots)

First thing’s first, lets put the Tom Brady injury speculation to rest. Matt Cassel (New England’s backup) has as much of a chance starting the Super Bowl as I do. Brady is having one of the best years ever for a quarterback highlighted by his record-setting 50 passing touchdowns. Add in his 14-2 postseason record, and you’re looking at a leader at his best. As for the Giants’ Eli Manning, you don’t have to own a Citizen watch to know he’s been unstoppable during the playoffs. Get your popcorn ready folks; it’s the Brady-Manning matchup nobody expected.

Running Backs: (Adv- Giants)

At the start of the season, Giants fans did not know what to expect from Brandon Jacobs (a goal-line specialist thrust in a full-time role). As for Ahmad Bradshaw, no one even knew who he was. Now Jacobs and Bradshaw make a dangerous combination. With the Patriots, Laurence Maroney was an afterthought when it came to scoring options. Pass first, run never. However in the postseason Maroney and Kevin Faulk have been coming up roses leading the team in rushing and receiving respectively. The edge ultimately goes to Giants here because of the Tiki Barber equation: No No. 21 = no problems in the huddle.

Wide Receivers: (Adv- Patriots)

Plaxico Burress recently said that he and the rest of the Giants’ receivers were better than the Patriots counterparts. He must have been reading the opponent’s depth chart from last season. Players named Reche Caldwell and Doug Gabriel have been replaced with All-Pros like Randy Moss and Wes Welker. That’s not even mentioning Dont√É© Stallworth, a No. 1 wide receiver with Philadelphia a year ago who’s now third for the Pats. Burress, Amani Toomer and rookie Steve Smith make a fine unit, but fine won’t cut it when compared to greatness.

Tight Ends: (Adv- Patriots)

Stop reading this section; both teams would prefer it. The Giants’ Kevin Boss and Patriots’ Ben Watson don’t need the publicity that the ‘flashier’ players receive. They just do what needs to be done, whether it’s catching for the first-down or blocking on a third-and-one. Best of all, they do it without the headache (I’m talking to you, Shockey!). Watson gets the edge here for the fact that he’s perfected the craft longer than Boss.

Offensive Line: (Adv- Patriots)

Ever wonder why Tom Brady seems to get what feels like an infinite amount of time to throw the ball each down? No, it’s not magic, a clause in the tuck rule or even Visa’s five layers of security, but rather the fine work of the Patriots’ O-line. This unit, headed by Pro-Bowlers Matt Light and Logan Mankins, shows why coaches stress building teams from the lines out. The Giants’ will need the same consistency that this Pats’ unit produces for any offensive rhythm to occur. As they say, ‘An upright Manning is a happy Manning, and a happy Manning means no Manning face.’

Defensive Ends: (Adv- Giants)

This is the heart of New York’s defense. When Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck get to the quarterback, and they do (32 sacks combined), there is no stopping them. Don’t get me wrong, the Pats’ Richard Seymour and Ty Warren are good ends but in the 3-4 defense statistics are not their friends. Also, New England can pressure the quarterback from different units; the Giants, on the other hand ‘

Defensive Tackles: (Adv- Patriots)

Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield complete the Giants’ heralded defensive line, yet get none of the spotlight. Without them applying their own brand of pressure, players like Strahan and Umenyiora wouldn’t be ‘ballin’ as often as they do. Patriots’ Vince Wilfork, on the other hand, applies the same pressure by himself. It’s special how he’s able to occupy two linemen while still having time to cheap-shot someone afterward. You can’t teach that.

Linebackers: (Adv- No one)

Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce has been saying how he’s loved his Giants being called underdogs by the media the past few weeks. Meanwhile Patriots’ Adalius Thomas has apparently been feeding his teammates so much ‘humble pie’ that they might not be able to pass their physicals. Fine, if neither unit wants to relish its accomplishments then don’t expect me to give them one. Gosh, some people just make it all about themselves ‘

Cornerbacks: (Adv- Patriots)

These units will never be mistaken for one another. On one side we have Patriots’ Asante Samuel, a shutdown corner with a playoff record three career interceptions returned for touchdowns. He’s joined by Ellis Hobbs and Randall Gay, two corners capable of holding their own. Representing the Giants are Sam Madison (a shell of his former self), Aaron Ross (a promising player hindered by injuries) and Corey Webster (the Justin McCarein of cornerbacks). I rest my case.

Safeties: (Adv- Patriots)

Rodney Harrison brings so much to the Patriots’ secondary. He has experience, heart and Brian-McNamee-on-speed-dial toughness, all things a defense needs in its team leader. Eugene Wilson is no scrub either. He started alongside Harrison when the Pats won back-to-back Super Bowls in 2003 and 2004. The Giants also have a safety with the last name Wilson (Gibril) but the similarities stop there. Despite Gibril’s talent, he can only cover so much of the field. That leaves James Butler to fend for himself, and that’s not a good option.

Special Teams: (Adv- No one)

Do I go with the kicker whose specialty this season was the extra point or the one who almost joined Doug Brien in the New York blunder hall-of-fame? Should I side with the punting unit that was 24th or 26th in the league for net average yards? Can I bring back Adam Vinatieri and Devin Hester from last year’s Super Bowl? All important questions ‘

Coaching: (Adv- Patriots)

I’m not explaining my pick for two reasons: 1. If you don’t know why I made this choice, you’re watching the Super Bowl for the commercials and thus don’t care. 2. All * and camera-related jokes have been exhausted to the point that even I can’t make one without losing what little humor cred I have left.

Prediction: As a Jet fan, I can’t be in a worse situation. I can either side with a division rival that is hoping to complete the most prolific season ever or go with a cross-town rival whose rise to the big game seemed absurd more than a month ago. Either outcome and I have to endure an off-season’s worth of ridicule. Still, I am a native New Yorker and choosing the G-Men should be my pick. Manning finally looks like an actual quarterback, Coughlin has captivated his players and the Patriots have not looked like their dominant selves since playing the Buffalo Bills in November. That being said, I can’t see New England dropping the ball at the 1-yard-line after coming this far. Man, I hate being a realist ‘ Patriots 23, Giants 20, Jets? MVP: Tom Brady.