Top 5 Story Lines to Watch in Super Bowl XLVI

Each team that makes it to the Superbowl is loaded with superstars, and though the Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers most often seem to steal the spotlight, it is New England's second-year Tight End who is commanding much of the attention heading into the championship game. Rob Gronkowski is a deserving story line heading into the big game for two reasons: firstly, when he is on the field, he is arguably the most significant player in the league, coming off the greatest statistical season for a Tight End in NFL history- should he suit up and line up on Sunday, he will likely play a substantial role in determining the winner. In fact, his influence is so substantial when he is on the field, that the second reason he is an intriguing story line, is that he may not suit up on Sunday, thus, removing an integral part of the New England offense. Gronkowski badly sprained his ankle in the conference championship game, and though he has been hobbling around without a walking boot in the last few days, his ability to dominate as usual is certainly in question, and a story line to watch.

Though the New York Giants are not a slouch team on offense, they would not be where they are now were it not for their defense; particularly, the defensive line of the Giants has been dominant in recent weeks, minimizing the passing attack from their opponents throughout the playoffs, to say the least. Teams are successful because of their defenses every year however, so to many, the Giants D-Line this year might not be anything to watch in particular. There is a backstory to this one though- because in Superbowl XLII, following the 2007-2008 season, when the Patriots had not lost a single game and were led by their high-flying offense with quarterback Tom Brady, it was the spectacular play of the Giants defensive line that brought Brady back to Earth, and gave the Giants the crown. Should the Giants D-Line play on Sunday like they did on Superbowl Sunday a few years ago, this could decide the game.

Tom Brady already has three Superbowl championships under his belt, winning another one Sunday would put him in a tie with Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana. By taking his first snap on Sunday, he will be officially tied with John Elway for the most Superbowl appearances by a quarterback. He holds the regular season record for most touchdown passes in a season. He holds a share of the record for most touchdown passes in a postseason game (6 against the Broncos only a few weeks ago). Despite the fact that a victory on Sunday would only put him in a tie for the most Superbowl victories by a quarterback, many believe Tom Brady is the greatest passer of all time, and a commanding performance, leading the Patriots to their fourth under his watch would solidify his spot atop every quarterback to ever play the game. Then again, if he loses...

Little known fact: Eli Manning has an older named Peyton, who also throws footballs for money form time to time. Ok, I lied. It is a vastly known fact. Many even regard Peyton as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL. Sure there must be sibling rivalry within the Manning household, but there might even be more of it in the eye of American sports media. Peyton has one Superbowl ring, Eli, likewise. Should Eli win on Sunday, mathematically, he will have twice as many as Peyton, and many would argue that Eli is the greater Manning quarterback. Two unbelievably dominant quarterbacks with this type of bragging rights on the line is impressive story line enough, but what makes this one so additionally intriguing is that Peyton has played his entire career for the Indianapolis Colts. In Indianapolis. Superbowl XLVI is being played in Indianapolis. Consider this: Eli wins his second Superbowl IN Indianapolis, in "The House that Peyton Built." Yeah. You can't fake that drama.

Do you ever have the feeling of deja vu? On Sunday, you might. As I mentioned earlier, the Giants and Patriots played each other in Superbowl XLII back in 2008. The Patriots had won every game of their season heading into the game, and soundly lost to the Giants. Those in New England have certainly not forgotten and now hope to avenge that loss. Likewise, those in New York remember how it felt to defeat such a heavily favored opponent; a team from a rival city like Boston. Don't try to tell me that New Yorkers don't want to silence the Massholes again.