Getty ImagesSome early takeaways from the Super Bowl, where the Giants lead 9-3 early in the second quarter:
1. Rob Gronkowski isn’t exactly looking like his normal self. He’s blocking just fine but not playing with his usual explosion.
2. The Patriots are making the types of mental errors that they usually watch other teams make. Tom Brady’s intentional grounding penalty cost the team 2 points. Their 12 men on the field penalty cost the team seven points.
A few Patriots coaches switched headsets after their defensive series where they gave up a touchdown. That could have partially led to the confusion which led to the 12-men penalty.
3. New England is changing things up quite a bit. Tracy White started at linebacker. Julian Edelman hasn’t played on defense. They gave different looks out of their dime package. They need to settle down because they aren’t substituting well.
Jerod Mayo had a great chance to make a play on Victor Cruz’s touchdown but he whiffed. The whole Patriots defense are not playing composed football.
4. The Patriots are winning the battle up front against the Giants guards, but Eli Manning has made all the right decisions getting rid of the ball.
5. New England has won a lot of games coming from behind this year. They’ll need to do it again.
6. Giants tight end Travis Beckum couldn’t put any pressure on his leg on his way off the field after suffering an injury. It didn’t look good.
UPDATE 7:21 p.m. ET: Beckum has a torn ACL. He’s their backup tight end but plays a lot for them.
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Tom Terrific may be one of the most overrated players in NFL history.
Eli looks calm and poised….very relaxed.
forget tom brady, that might be the worst defense in superbowl history on the pats side of the ball…..this game is over unless the giants turn the ball over.
Let’s face it, when not allowed to cheat New Englad is not that good.
I have seen 10 holdings and they wait to call one on 3rd and 1. Call them all.
Per a league source..funny Volkswagen commercial
giants shall win they posted it on their web site like the steelers din against the seahawks
7. The Giants punter has the early lead for M.V.P.
Other thoughts: The fix is on.
That what rookies do pick a winner after a Qt.
Pretty obvious he’s (Gronkowski) not himself. He sprained an ankle, duh!
Another hold in a critical time. They have held on the edge the entire game.
looked overrated their…that what rookies do….pick an overrated qb after 1 quarter.
How can there be a 4 second hold in isolation (not on the line) in front of the quarterback without a call?
Even worse, how can Al Bifocals and whatever stupid voice is in the broadcast booth watch the play over and over without at least musing whether it was a hold?
Pretty dull game so far. Lingerie Bowl 9 was better. M&M commercial pretty funny
7. Peyton Manning STILL hasn’t played.
Go Patriots!!
Hold on for 3 min patriots