A win Sunday put Eli Manning among the all time greats and the top spot at the Manning dinner table.

The Super Bowl is upon us, so it is time for a prediction. Who will take home the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the 2011 season?

Let’s take a look.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Giants have true NFL stars in Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck to put pressure on Tom Brady. Big Blue also has the gifted Jason Pierre-Paul as a major part of their rotation that has produced eight sacks for 61 yards in losses in the playoffs.

Chris Canty has been solid as has Tollefson. Have been solid and Rocky Bernard can make a big play as he did sacking Alex Smith in the NFC title game.

The Patriots will lean heavily on Vince Wilfork at defensive tackle. The Pats will line up with three man fronts as well as the traditional four-man look. Wilfork can tie up two offensive linemen with his eyes closed, allowing his teammates clearer paths to the quarterback. The Patriots also have eight sacks in the postseason.

EDGE: Giants because of its depth.

LINEBACKER

Chase Blackburn looks a lot bigger than his listed 6-foot-4, 242-pound frame would suggest. Maybe it’s the No. 93 he wears that gives that impression. Either way, Blackburn ability to be a beast in the middle is the key to this unit’s success which will depend on its ability to defend the pass. Michael Boley Mathias Kiwanuka will have to step up to keep the Patriots receivers from going wild.

The Patriots have tackler Jerod Mayo to help keep the Giants revamped rushing attack in check. Outside linebackers Mark Anderson and Rob Ninkovich are serviceable but not great.

EDGE: Even – neither unit stands out.

SECONDARY

Both units stand out because neither has played well at all this season. The Giants were hit by injuries; the Pats simply didn’t have the horses to begin with and gave up 293.9 passing yards per game during the season. The Patriots have Kyle Arrington who tied for the league lead with seven interceptions.

The Giants are led by corners Aaron Ross and Corey Webster. The Giants must find a way to keep this unit fresh as depth is an issue.

EDGE: Even – depth is an issue for both teams.

SPECIAL TEAMS

No kick return artists here but no problems with ball security either. Just ask the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers if that is important in the playoffs. Both have kickers and punters who are solid and consistent.

Giants Steve Weatherford punted 12 times against the 49ers and Lawrence Tynes is not afraid of the big kick. Pats kicker Stephen Gostkowski has been solid as well.

Mathew Slater stands out as the Patriots cover guy and Devin Thomas came up with key plays against the 49ers with the game – and the Super Bowl on the line.

EDGE: Even – both units are good.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Giants have Pro Bowl guard Chris Snee to anchor a line that had a rocky start struggling to replace longtime blockers in center Shaun O’Hara and guard Rich Seubert. While the unit has played better down the stretch, David Baas has been a disappointment replacing O’Hara, David Diehl has struggled from being moved around and Kareem McKenzie has been decent but was still part of a unit that was touched for six sacks against the 49ers and enough hits on Eli Manning that kept the Emergency Medial crew on its toes all game.

The line’s saving grace has been the running game which has been outstanding. Led by Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, the Giants have rushed 72 times for 352 yards, a 5.0 yards per carry average and a touchdown. Will that be enough?

The Patriots offensive line has played well in pass protection allowing just one sack in two playoff games.

The running game has been adequate with BenJarvus Green-Ellis leading a running attack in the postseason that has rushed 61 times for 242 yards and two TDs.

Veteran Matt Light anchors a line that features All-Pro guard Logan Mankins and Sebastian Vallmer. Dan Connolly helped the Pats survive early injuries by settling the center position after Dan Koppen was lost for the season.

EDGE: Patriots – not even close.

RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS

You really must evaluate them together for this game. Assuming tight end Rob Gronkowski is healthy and productive, the Patriots will probably only go to slot receiver Wes Welker who led the NFL with 122 receptions for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns. The Patriots second and third leading receivers were tight ends Gronkowski (90, 1,327 yards, 17 TDs) and Aaron Hernandez (79, 910 yards, 7 TDs). Deion Branch had 51 catches for 702 yards and five Touchdowns during the season but just five catches for 101 yards and a score in the post season, 61 of those yards coming on the one scoring plays.

The Patriots run almost all two-tight end sets with Welker in the slot. If Gronkowski has trouble with his injured ankle, the Pats could be in deep trouble.

The Giants are the opposite in the passing attack with Manning having the luxury of three outstanding wide receivers to go to.

Hakeem Nicks has 18 catches for 335 yards and four TDs in three playoff games. Breakout star Victor Cruz continues to show he is no flash in the pan coming up with 17 receptions for 244 yards but trips to the end zone.

Mario Manningham has made up for that with three of his eight playoff catches going for touchdowns.

Ahmad Bradshaw has been an effective receiver out of the backfield with 14 catches for 95 yards.

Tight end Jake Ballard has been inconsistent as a pass catcher all season.

EDGE: Giants – Gronkowski’s injury still too much of a question mark.

QUARTERBACK  

Both teams feature a signal caller playing at his best. Patriots Tom Brady is shooting for his fourth Super Bowl title that would tie him with Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana for most Super Bowl wins of all time.

Manning is going for his second championship and a lock for a spot in the Hall of Fame and the top spot at the Manning dinner table.

After his gritting performance against a manic 49ers defense in the NFC title game, Manning has earned the respect from every corner of the football world.

Brady has had that respect for years.

I won’t waste your time with stats. This matchup is a push with their offensive lines holding the keys to the title ride.

EDGE: Even – Let’s all just kick back and enjoy!

COACHING

No one wants to talk about this but I will…Bill Belichick has not won a Super Bowl since the Spy Gate scandal from a few years ago and some think the football gods spoke through David Tyree in 2008, punishing the Patriots coach for cheating.

Belichick needs this win to clear his name and validate his three other titles.

Tom Coughlin is now an impressive 7-3 in the playoffs and has pulled rabbits out his hat with the Giants this season, dealing with an erratic offensive line, staggering injuries to his defense and problems with Umenyiora and his contract issues.

Coughlin is 2-1 against Belichick, and Tyree reception notwithstanding, has outcoached his future Hall-of-Fame opponent every time and will again on Sunday.

EDGE: Giants

PREDICTION: This game has a chance to be an all-time classic. Giants will pull out a 42-35 thriller that puts Manning among the all time greats.