Check out our Super Bowl XLVI predictions
The Vince Lombardi Trophy is seen during a news conference for Sunday's Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.What would a Super Bowl be without a group of so-called “experts” predicting the score?
For fun, the Republican and MassLive.com also randomly selected a few favorite local celebrities to weigh in with their viewpoints.
Bobby Aversa, The Pizza Guy: Patriots 34, Giants 31 - This was a shop consensus. The Patriots will get revenge from losing last time. They won’t lose this time.
Michael Bissonnette, mayor of Chicopee: Patriots 34, Giants 21 - due to superior pass protection for Brady and a great job by the defensive pass rush. Plus, In Belichek We Trust!
Amanda Bruno, The Republican: Patriots 27, Giants 21 - Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski will connect three times in the end zone to lead the Patriots to their first championship since Super Bowl XXXIX. New England has the emotional edge over the Giants as they’ll not only be looking for revenge from Super Bowl XLII, but also playing in memory of the late Myra Kraft.
Ron Chimelis, The Republican: Giants 26, Patriots 24 - The last time these teams played in the Super Bowl, I was going to pick the Giants on a hunch but I didn’t have the guts. Not making that mistake again. Besides, their defense has been great and Eli Manning is vastly better than he was in the 2008 game.
ABC 40’s Scott Coen: Patriots 31, Giants 20 - Tom Brady needs this win to solidify his legacy. He’ll play well, and the Patriots will win.
Joe DeBurro, MassLive.com: Patriots 38, Giants 13 - It’ll be close for a half. Then it won’t be close.
Erik Gallant, MassLive.com: Patriots 35, Giants 31 – The deciding play will be a Manning-to-Nicks fade route that perfectly mirrors the game-winning Manning-to-Burress connection in the 2008 Super Bowl. This time, Julian Edelman will knock the ball free.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning meet on he field before the Super Bowl XLII where the Giants won. Sunday, the Patriots will get their chance at revenge in Super Bowl XLVI.Russ Held, The Republican: Giants 31, Patriots 21 - Picked Giants last time, when Patriots were better team; Giants are better team this time around.
Vernon Hill, The Republican: Patriots 33, Giants 30 - This is a toss-up. I’m counting on the Patriot defense to make one or two big plays to offset their usual ineffectiveness. I’m also counting on Tom Brady to have a big game. It could come down to the last play: “Eli Manning looking for Victor Cruz in the end zone ... James Ihedigbo on defense ... there’s the pass ... they both jump for it ...”
Robbin Jones Jr., The Republican: Giants 30, Patriots 21 - I think the Giants’ pass rush will get consistent pressure on Tom Brady and the offense won’t be able to move the ball consistently. I also feel Eli Manning will take advantage of our secondary with his great receivers.
Ed Kubosiak, MassLive.com: Patriots 27, Giants 24 – Remember Adam Vinatieri? Meet Stephen Gostkowski, the new Super Bowl hero in New England. Super Bowls involving the Patriots always seem to come down to three points. In this one Gostkowski will drill a 42-yard field goal to win it following a critical Giants turnover in the fourth quarter forced by the much-maligned Patriot defense.
Bruce Landon, president and GM of the Springfield Falcons: Patriots 24, Giants 14 - Brady will simply rise to the occasion.
Ben Larsen, MassLive.com: Patriots 28, Giants 24 - Early jitters will make way for a second-half shootout. The Patriots’ run game and Stephen Gostkowski’s right leg will be the under-the-radar difference-makers.
ABC 40’s Mike Leslie: Patriots 21, Giants 17 - I just think there’s no way we see Brady play poorly in back-to-back games, or for that matter back-to-back Super Bowls against the Giants, because he didn’t play all that well in XLII.
Pam McCray, The Republican: Patriots 24, Giants 21 - I just don’t see Tom Brady having two bad weeks in a row. The Patriots have too much to play for, but if this comes down to a field goal, I’m not sure I’ll be able to watch.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell poses with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after a news conference in Indianapolis. WMass experts have predicted the Patriots will take home the trophy in Super Bowl XLVI.Jason Remillard, The Republican: Giants 34, Patriots 31 - Just like the Iowa caucus, this thing is too close to call. When in doubt, I go with the team coached by a fellow Syracuse alumnus.
Ken Ross, The Republican: Patriots 23, Giants 20 - In overtime, because that would be a great game to watch, just like when New England won their first Super Bowl 10 years ago. I’ll always remember watching that game with my grandfather in his house near where I grew up in Pennsylvania. A great night with a great guy.
Jeff Thomas, The Republican: Giants 30, Patriots 24 - I picked the Giants over the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. This one will be more of a shootout, but I’m going with Victor Cruz over James Ihedigbo in the UMass Bowl.
Nick Underhill, The Republican: Patriots 27, Giants 24 - What this really comes down to is how much I believe in Gronkowski’s ability to get on the field and grind through the pain. After watching him this season there’s no way that I would bet against his toughness.
Bill Wells, The Republican: Patriots 28, Giants 27 - Payback.
Compiled by Pam McCray