After a much publicized contract dispute with the Patriots during the offseason, Pro Bowl center/guard, Logan Mankins is now the highest paid interior offensive lineman in the league. He’s going to have to earn every cent today, as he and the Patriots offensive line will be dealing with a Giants pass rush that has been the strength of their defense over the second half of the season.
“Some teams will send three defensive ends in. The Giants are the only team that gets four in there,” Mankins said. “There’s just a lot more speed out there. They take out bigger guys when they are defending against the run and sub in speed guys.”
The Giants’ pass rush has become more effective as the playoffs have progressed. In the game against the Green Bay Packers, they sacked Aaron Rodgers four times. When the Patriots and Giants met on November 6th, Tom Brady was sacked twice but was hit countless times.
Hits are not recorded in the box score but can have a detrimental effect on a quarterback’s psyche. In order to be victorious on Sunday, Mankins and the rest of the offensive line will have to limit both.
The Patriot’s offensive line has only allowed one sack in the playoffs. If the offensive line can control the pressure on Brady, there’s a good chance the Patriots will achieve the revenge they so desperately want.
