The Giants running backs averaged 134.2 yards per game and 4.6 yards per carry, that’s 4th in the league. The Patriots managed 115.6 yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry.

The Super Bowl will feature teams that have gotten to this point of the season based on the play of their quarterbacks. The ground game for both of these teams is primarily used to set up the pass. Brandon Jacobs will carry the load for the Giants. In the media he was 265 lbs. last week, and now apparently he’s put on 5 lbs. Either way, he’s HUGE. And he’s a hard-nosed runner. The front-seven of the Patriots will have their hands full trying to bring down Jacobs. Right when they start to settle into his running style though, Kevin Gilbride will shuttle in Ahmad Bradshaw, the shifty change of pace back, to switch things up. Bradshaw is a burner. He’s so small and quick, that he can hide behind his offensive line and dart up the field without the defense even being able to see him.

The Patriots bring a tandem of backs into the game as well. Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk will handle the rock for the Pats. Maroney has been up and down this season. I think part of it is due to the Patriots devotion to the pass, but he has been absent for a lot of the season. This post-season Maroney has played well. He won’t be asked to win the game for the Patriots, which is good. He wouldn’t be able to.

As for who has the edge in the backfield, I’d have to pick the Giants. Brandon Jacobs is a load, and they have such a solid change-of-pace, I think it’ll be hard to stop them.

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