Yeah, yeah, yeah — you can’t spell “elite” without “Eli.”
How cute.
But let’s not forget the two-headed running back beast the Giants possess in the backfield, that being the tandem of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. Those two guys are absolutely key players in the Giants offense and will keep the Patriots defense guessing as to just what the Giants will do.
The Broncos are all run (sorry Tebow fans), and the Ravens have Ray Rice — one of the best backs in the NFL. The Patriots did just fine containing both teams’ running game, but the Giants offense is much more multifaceted — and that goes for their running backs, too.
Jacobs is a ground-and-pound, in your face back. Standing at 6-foot-4, 264-pounds, Jacobs is one of the biggest backs in the NFL, and uses his body to push ahead for more yards.
During a Week 9 game against the Patriots, Jacobs ran for 72 yards on 18 carries, with a touchdown.
Even so, many would argue that Jacobs has been a bit of a letdown during his career, and his future in New York has been in doubt on numerous occasions.
Bradshaw, meanwhile, did not play in the Week 9 game at Gillette. In 12 regular season games in 2011, he rushed for 659 yards and nine touchdowns. The yardage was a significant drop off from last season’s 1,235 yards, but after fumbling the ball seven times last season, he hasn’t fumbled on one rushing attempt this season.
But the Giants’ rushing production has been fairly silent during the postseason. Through three games, the two backs have combined for just 327 rushing yards and one touchdown. Bradshaw did, however, tack on 52 yards on six receptions in the Giants’ win over the 49ers.
With Vince Wilfork anchoring the defensive line, the Patriots will look to continue their recent defensive success.
Double trouble
Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 104 yards against Buffalo in Week 6.
Brandon Jacobs posted 101 yards on 19 carries in a win over Dallas in Week 14.
In Super Bowl XLII against the Patriots, Jacobs ran for 42 yards on 14 carries while Bradshaw had 45 yards on nine touches.
