QUARTERBACKS

So, Tom Brady is hobbled, possibly slowed down by a high right ankle sprain. Doesn`t matter. He`s the league`s MVP. He set an NFL record by throwing for 50 touchdowns. He threw for an NFL-best 4,806 yards -- third best all time. He`s 14-2 in the playoffs and has two Super Bowl MVP trophies to his credit. New York`s Eli Manning has been impressive in the playoffs, with no interceptions in three games. He`s managed the team well, eliminated the mistakes and put the Giants in position to win. Sounds a lot like Brady circa 2001. And that`s what the Giants want. But when the game is on the line, you have to ask yourself, would you rather have Tom Brady or Eli Manning? I think the answer is clear. ADVANTAGE: Patriots

RUNNING BACKS Laurence Maroney has come on of late, with back-to-back 122- yard rushing games in the playoffs. Kevin Faulk may be the most clutch third-down performer in the NFL; his ability to wrangle out the yards that are needed for a first down is impressive. And fullback Heath Evans is a devastating blocker. But the Giants have been strong running the ball all season. Brandon Jacobs went over 1,000 yards, despite missing five games. He is powerful and agile enough to make a tackler miss. And rookie Ahmad Bradshaw, who missed the first game between the teams, has been the difference in the playoffs. He gives the Giants a big lift with his speed and power. Fullback Madison Hedgecock, a waiver wire pick-up, is a devastating blocker.

ADVANTAGE: Giants

WIDE RECEIVERS Randy Moss has been invisible in the playoffs, with just two catches, but he still is the one receiver on either team who can change a game. Gifted athletically, he is also football smart and tough. The Giants have no one to cover him. Then again, they`ll have a hard time covering Wes Welker, who caught 112 passes in the regular season and has another 16 with two touchdowns in the playoffs. He is devastating in the slot. Yes, the Giants can counter with Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, two veteran playmakers. But the Patriots have more depth, with Donte Stallworth, Jabar Gaffney and tight end Benjamin Watson. New York has the improving Steve Smith as a third receiver, but rookie tight end Kevin Boss is no Watson.

ADVANTAGE: Patriots

OFFENSIVE LINE The Giants didn`t average 134.3 rushing yards a game in the regular season without having a good offensive line. Right guard Chris Snee is one of the NFL`s top young linemen, and left tackle David Diehl, left guard Rich Seubert, center Shaun O`Hara and right tackle Kareem McKenzie form a formidable blocking group. But the Patriots have three linemen - left tackle Matt Light, left guard Logan Mankins and center Dan Koppen - on their way to the Pro Bowl next week. And they have two steady performers on the right side in guard Stephen Neal, finally healthy, and tackle Nick Kaczur. Beyond that, the Patriots have some depth at the position, with Russ Hochstein and young Ryan O`Callaghan, who held Michael Strahan without a sack in the first game between the teams. The line gives Brady time enough to scan the field several times before delivering the pass.

ADVANTAGE: Patriots