In order for the Patriots to win Super Bowl XLVI, in Indianapolis Indiana Sunday, they must do two main things. Number one is to keep playing solid defense as they have so far in the playoffs. This is something they lacked most of the regular season, but has been turned up a notch since the middle of December. Number two is to continue to feed the ball to Gronkowski. This could be difficult, however, as Gronk has been limited since an ankle injury suffered in the AFC Championship game two Sundays ago.

The Patriots defense has risen to the occasion as of late after a horrible start to their season. They give up some of the biggest numbers in the league both on the ground and through the air. In the past few weeks and playoffs, though, they have seemed to be a different team. The defense seems to be finally clicking a bit and teams are not just driving down the field at will. This must continue if they plan to beat an offense with the weapons that the New York Giants have. What has worked best with them is a bend but do not break attitude that has existed throughout the season. Although the defense gives up a lot of yards, points given up a game are respectable.

Perhaps no bigger influence exist towards the Patriots success this season, then that of Rob Gronkowski. Gronkowski, or Gronk as people like to call him, has been a one man wrecking crew for the team and accounted for 17 of the team’s touchdowns this past season. He simply rarely misses and is impossible to cover due to his large size and huge hands. Gronk, however, was injured in the last game and had to utilize a walking boot following their win against the Ravens in the AFC Championship game. He has since been seen without the boot, but still has a noticeable limp. He must be healthy and productive Sunday if the Patriots have any chance to win another Super Bowl for the city of Boston.