[Editor’s Note: We welcome other voices from time to time. As one of America's most popular sports, it seemed appropriate (and necessary) to bring the slick track, burning rubber, and shiny cars to 4thanddone.com. Since I know very little about racing, I asked... ok, I begged, pleaded and dragged in ...an expert.

Over the next few weeks, and hopefully throughout the NASCAR season, my cousin, Wayne, will be bringing racing insight to ignorant dopes such as myself. While I've rarely watched NASCAR, I've always followed from a distance. This year, with Wayne's updates and analysis, I may even pick a favorite driver. Vroom, vroom.]

The 2011 Chase featured exactly what its creators dreamed of when they introduced the “playoff” format in 2004: competition down to the wire.  In seasons previous to 2004 the champion who clinched with two or three races to go would have the rest of the season as a victory tour.  1992 was the closest points battle in pre-Chase history and is still remembered for its extreme intensity up to the final lap.  I was seven years old and a die-hard Bill Elliott fan at the time.  The pain of seeing my driver win the race but still lose the championship by 10 points would only be eclipsed a year later by Joe Carter and a pretty famous walk-off home run.

Back to 2011: After 9 months, 36 races, and thousands of laps, Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards were tied (yes, TIED) atop the series’ points standings.  A tiebreaker determined the outcome of the series championship for the first time in NASCAR history and Tony Stewart’s five wins secured the title.  Coming off such an exciting finale, what can we expect for the upcoming season?

1. Will Tony Stewart’s performance in the 2011 Chase translate into momentum this year?

Watching the Chase finale at Homestead, I saw something I haven’t seen since the prime of the late Dale Earnhardt’s career: A driver willing his car to a win.  [I once watched Dale Sr. crash at Talladega, all but eliminating him from competition only to see him come back with half a car and run with the leaders.  The announcers would even remark that if he won, NASCAR would have to determine whether he had an advantage with the damage.]

No disrespect to Darian Grubb or anyone at Stewart-Haas racing, but that car had no business winning that race.  Edwards had the superior equipment, qualified better, led more laps, had a higher driver rating [if you put any stock into that system], and looked to be on his way to his first championship.  But Tony Stewart had other ideas.  Part of any sport is the mentality that nothing will stop you.  [See Timothy Richard Tebow.]  Leading up to the final race, Stewart made no bones about what he was there to do… and he did it in grand fashion.

So back to the question about whether any of this will have an effect on 2012.  We haven’t heard a whole lot from Tony this offseason, but if his past performance is any indication, I’d say No.  In 2003 during his first title defense, the year was a bit of a letdown as he finished 7th in points.  Same goes for 2006, while defending his second title, Stewart had his worst season as a Cup driver.  I won’t go as far as saying it will be like 2006, but I think a repeat of 2011 is also highly unlikely.  Adding to that, his courtship of Danica Patrick [no not literally] and the media tsunami that comes with it, as well as striving to get Ryan Newman back on track may prove to be too much to also have a championship caliber 2012 for himself.

Indeed. Eli Manning is every bit as good the three aforementioned quarterbacks and undoubtedly the best of the group when push comes to shove in the 4^th quarter of a big game. That’s right, if you find yourself in a tight game trailing in the final minutes, then Eli Manning is your best option. I never thought I would type that sentence, but it’s true. Get used to it.

Once again, the New England Patriots couldn’t hold onto a lead late in the 4^th quarter against the Giants to bring home the Vince Lombardi trophy. Naturally, the blame has been divided and dished out appropriately. The real culprit, though, and the gift that kept the Giants season alive? Second chances.

In week 14, the Dallas Cowboys held a 12 point lead with 5:41 remaining. A win would have presumably laid the Giants to rest once and for all. Tom Coughlin was on the hot seat and a defense that delivered a title just a few years earlier was rapidly falling out of favor. That was until Eli Manning took it upon himself to rally the Giants, save their season and possibly even Coughlin’s job. The Giants went on to win four of their next five including a Wildcard round victory and a stunning upset over the Super Bowl favorite Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

After knocking off the Packers, the Giants again found themselves in a tight game with their season on the line. This time, though, Eli Manning and the Giant offense struggled to break through a vaunted San Francisco defense. With the score tied at 17, the Giants and 49ers traded possessions for the final minutes of regulation and into overtime. The 49er defense kept Manning at bay while the 49er offense curled into a ball and hid, failing miserably on five opportunities to win the game following Akers’ tying field goal. The San Francisco offense registered only one first down in those possessions and never came close to delivering the knockout blow. As a result, the Giants and Eli Manning hung around and eventually took advantage of another 49er miscue to finally win a game the 49er defense had dominated.

Last night, in Super Bowl XLVI, the Patriots were in a similar position. Up two with four minutes remaining and the chance to stretch the lead to five or nine or run out the remaining clock entirely, New England choked. On 2^nd and 11 from the Giants 44 with a reasonable field goal attempt just ten yards away, Tom Brady and a wide open Wes Welker failed to connect for a first down inside the Giants 20. On 3^rd and 11, Brady and Deion Branch couldn’t come through for a first down. Eli Manning and the Giants, for the third time in the previous two months, avoided the kill shot and were presented a second chance, and for the third time, they took full advantage.

Eli Manning calmly marched down the field like it was the 2^nd quarter of a September game. Only the urgency in Al Michaels’ voice and the petrified faces on the New England sideline indicated the magnitude of those moments. Manning didn’t care. He shrugged off the pressure and stole another Super Bowl from Bill Belichick and the Patriots, all because he and his Giant teammates were given too many second chances. While second chances offer redemption, they also forfeit victories. The Cowboys, 49ers, and Patriots left the door open. Eli Manning and the Giants walked through it. Now, they’re Super Bowl champions for the second time in four years.

(Tangent: Let me first say that I believe Justin Tuck meant no disrespect to Eli Manning. Considering Tuck was the first player Eli Manning hugged, I’m assuming they’re friends. However, I heard Justin Tuck on two separate post game shows mention that although Eli Manning won MVP, it could have gone to any member of the Giants 53 man roster. He even insinuated Eli won it because he was the quarterback.

While Manning would undoubtedly agree with Tuck’s assessment, Manning was clearly the Giants best player. He deserved sole possession of the MVP award. He didn’t win it because he was the quarterback (though I’m sure it didn’t hurt.) He won the prestigious award because without him, without the ice flowing through his veins, without his resiliency, without his uncanny ability to elevate his play in the biggest moments, the Giants don’t win that game. Eli Manning won the MVP because he was the best and most important one of those 53 players.)

Brady Falls Again.

The saddest part of Sunday’s outcome is that Tom Brady will be blamed for another Super Bowl loss even though he played well enough to win. In fact, I thought he outplayed Manning up until those closing minutes.

Instead, we’ll remember the intentional grounding; underthrowing Rob Gronkowski for an interception; the poor throw to Welker; the miscommunication with Branch; and another devastating sack on the final drive – reminiscent to the one he took on the final drive in Super Bowl XLII – as his defining moments. In fact, let’s look at each one.

The intentional grounding was a huge swing. It gave the Giant defense momentum and confidence from the outset. More importantly, those two points ultimately changed the whole dynamic of those final minutes. Without the safety, the Patriots hold a four point lead and the Giants are forced to score a touchdown on that final drive. Even if New York did find the end zone, the Patriots would only need a field goal to tie instead of the always difficult and nearly impossible “80 yard touchdown drive in less than a minute with only one timeout.”

The 4^th quarter interception was the game’s lone turnover, and while it didn’t result in points, it stalled the momentum New England had controlled for the entire 2^nd half. I don’t blame Brady for the throw. If you have an all-world, 6-7 tight end matched up against a linebacker one-on-one, you take that chance. Although Gronkowski was hobbled by injury, I think Brady, and every other NFL QB, would still take the same chance. Besides, the biggest mistake on that play was made by Gronkowski. Too often NFL receivers hang back and think about scoring over making the catch. DeSean Jackson does this all the time. At the very least, Gronkowski should have pulled Chase Blackburn to the ground and taken a penalty. Your quarterback is trusting you in that situation to make a play or at least prevent a turnover. Gronkowski was boxed out by a shorter, less athletic linebacker and was shoved off the ball with one arm. Obviously, it was not his finest moment.

I’m ok with Brady catching some flack for the Welker throw. Yes, Welker should have made the catch, but a better throw would have made Welker’s job significantly easier. It looked like one of those deals where the receiver expected the ball to be coming over one shoulder and the quarterback threw it over the other. It happened to Aaron Rodgers and Gregg Jennings three weeks ago. It happens to everyone. However, if Welker hangs on, the Patriots at least kick a field goal. If Brady makes a better throw, Welker possibly scores.

The Deion Branch failed 3^rd down conversion right after the Welker drop was, in my opinion, entirely Branch’s fault. Instead of settling down in the open area between the safety and linebacker, Branch continued across the field. Brady thought the veteran Branch would make the veteran move and sit between the defenders. He didn’t and that’s why Brady’s throw looked like it was thrown behind the open receiver. Such a devastating mistake on a play that could have ultimately clinched a Super Bowl title.

The sack on the final drive was as disappointing as the drive itself. I would have loved to see Brady win the game there and essentially reverse the script of Super Bowl XLII. Sadly, Brady looked dejected even as he walked onto the field. Missing an open Branch on the first play was huge. A completion there puts the Patriots at midfield and, considering Branch probably gets out of bounds, 45 seconds would still be on the clock with a timeout in hand. Another reception or two and it’s possible the Patriots get at least three shots at the end zone from inside the 25. Instead, the pass goes incomplete, Brady then throws a pass in the middle of the field to Aaron Hernandez that was dropped and then takes the sack on 3^rd down. Looking at the replay, there was little Brady could do to avoid the sack aside from another intentional grounding penalty. Still, the sack and the completion in the middle of the field two plays later were un-Brady-like. If you go over the middle with no timeouts, it has to be for a decent chunk of yardage.

As backwards as this sounds, I thought Brady played well enough to win. He just didn’t make enough plays to win. Eli Manning did, just as he has throughout the past two months. And with two Super Bowl titles and two Super Bowl MVP awards, I think it’s safe to say Eli was right along; he is in the same class as Brady and Peyton. He just knew it before anyone else.

Last Week:  2 – 0 – 0
Playoffs:     7 – 3 – 0

Sunday, February 5 (6:29PM ET)

1. Quarterbacks (duh)

I know, I know, it’s the most obvious factor of all, but I couldn’t ignore it.

Neither quarterback played exceptionally well in the conference championship round. In fact, if the 49ers secondary could catch, we’d probably be discussing Alex Smith’s unbelievable turnaround. But we’re not. Instead, we’re dissecting Tom Brady’s lackluster play and the grittiest performance of Eli Manning’s career.

With optimal conditions and two weeks of preparation and rest, I don’t expect another lousy performance from either quarterback. However, both Manning, and especially, Brady are susceptible to turnovers. Brady’s thrown multiple interceptions in two of his last four playoff appearances. Again, Manning would have been lucky to escape San Francisco with two interceptions and somehow he left with none. Both quarterbacks take risks and trust their receivers to bail them out. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s often what makes great quarterbacks great. But how many mistakes each quarterback makes and whether or not the defenses can take advantage will be the most decisive factor on Sunday.

2. Pressure (again, duh)

The Giants boast the best pass rush in the NFL (when healthy). They flustered Aaron Rodgers, made Alex Smith look like Alex Smith circa 2007, and were successful in chasing Tom Brady from the pocket in a victory over New England earlier this season. With apologies to Eli Manning, New York’s pass rush is its greatest asset. When the Giants were losing even though Manning was racking up gaudy numbers, it was because the defense couldn’t stop anyone. The Giants secondary is, to be fair, not very good. In the regular season, New York surrendered at least 340 yards to Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady. Needless to say, the pass rush is critical to New York’s chances. If they can’t get consistent pressure on Brady and allow him to stand back there untouched, they can’t win. It’s as simple as that. Rob Gronkowski may not be at full strength (thanks to Bernard “Redcoat” Pollard), but I think it’s Aaron Hernandez that will give the Giants fits. Where Gronkowski is a big, physical threat down the middle of the field, Hernandez can line up anywhere and do anything. Corey Webster is New York’s best cover corner, and he can’t cover Wes Welker, Gronk, and Hernandez all at once. That means the Giants will need to help out their secondary by dropping more linebackers in coverage or hope they can generate enough pressure from the front four to force New England to keep an extra back or tight end in for protection.

Let’s not forget about the Patriots. While their pass rush isn’t as celebrated as New York’s, it’s been nearly as effective in the playoffs. Against Denver, New England registered five sacks and then added another three against Baltimore. Vince Wilfork terrorized Joe Flacco in the AFC Championship Game. Wilfork should have similar success against an offensive line that struggled to protect Manning two weeks ago. Although the New England secondary takes a lot of heat for being one of the worst in the NFL, they did finish 2^nd in the league in interceptions. A little heat from the Patriot pass rush could force Manning into an interception or two. Assuming, of course, the Patriots actually hang on to the football.

Either way, the defense that gets consistent pressure will have the inside track to hoisting the Lombardi trophy. (Unless of course you’re the 49ers and your punt returner fumbles twice in the final 20 minutes. Then all bets are off.)

3. Big Plays (earth-shattering news)

Fumbled punt returns. Turnovers. Dropped interceptions. Missed field goals. Osi Umenyiora slapping the ball out of the quarterback’s hand while Gregg Jennings stands alone in the end zone. Yeah, big plays matter. The smallest mistake like a punt grazing a knee changes everything. All things being equal, I think the Giants are the better, more well rounded team, especially defensively. For the Patriots to win, they must avoid backbreaking turnovers and big offensive plays by Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and the rest of the Giants offense. Or, force more turnovers and connect on more big plays than the Giants. Either way, the Patriots must have the edge.

The best way to get that edge? A hurry up offense. Even if Brady does nothing but throw four and five yard passes for the 1^st half, he has to keep the defense off balance and pray they get a little worn out. Pass rushers often get frustrated by a dink and dump offense as well, so slowing the Giants pass rush off the line certainly wouldn’t hurt, either. If the hurry up is successful, the Patriots will have opportunities deep downfield when the secondary is too flustered to call the right coverage or someone overcompensates and blows an assignment. If the hurry up is frequent AND effective, the mistakes will come.

The other wildcard is the running game. Obviously, running the football is the fastest and most effective method to slowing a pass rush. However, this is the Super Bowl. I don’t expect either team to abandon what they do best (pass the football) in order to discourage a pass rush. This is about winning a championship. You line up and do what you do best against whatever your opponent does best. Don’t change your stripes now and let the defense dictate how you play the game. Does that mean either team should completely abandon the run? Of course not, that would only make sense to Andy Reid. However, neither team can get so caught up in running the football that they forget what they do best. Your quarterbacks got you here. Give them the keys to drive you home.

The Pick

As I mentioned, I think the Giants are the better team with the hotter quarterback and better pass rush. They’ve eliminated the NFL’s best quarterback and best defense en route to the Super Bowl. Regardless, the Giants have done a little too much talking this week. I know that’s their style and it’s proven successful, but teams generally dish out smack for two reasons; overconfidence or intimidation.

Overconfidence is deadly. Enter a big game like this against an equal opponent and you’re finished. You can’t recover from overconfidence. It’s a fatal disease. Intimidation? Please. I know the Giants like to think they can rattle Brady and the Patriots, but there’s a reason New England has been the NFL’s most successful franchise year in and year out. You don’t achieve that consistency by worrying about what your opponent is doing (or saying).

I’m an Eagles fan and would take pride in the NFC East taking home another title. (And knowing Vince Young took down the champs. Holla!) However, even with three Super Bowl titles in the bag, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick need this one to cement their legacies. Contrary to what Vegas says, the Patriots are indeed underdogs. I think that’s right where they want to be. PATRIOTS If I were Charles Barkley; Patriots -3

*****

Last Week: 1 – 1 – 0
Playoffs:    7 – 3 – 0

Obviously, adding a player of Peyton Manning’s caliber is always a good idea. Considering he’s a stellar quarterback, the move makes even more sense.

As you well know, for the majority of the Andy Reid era the Eagles ran a manila offense and relied on the athleticism and skill of Donovan McNabb and Jim Johnson’s impenetrable defenses. When Reid finally built the offense to match McNabb’s talent, the Eagles went to the Superbowl. Then, Reid reverted back to midlevel receivers and relied too much on Brian Westbrook and McNabb. By the time Reid brought in elite talent again, McNabb was passed his prime. Then the Kevin Kolb era came and went in less than 30 minutes. After two years of Michael Vick, the Eagles still can’t find consistency at quarterback.

Enter Manning.

Even in his late 30’s, Manning is better than any quarterback the Eagles have had in the past five years, and maybe even ever. Manning would bring his unprecedented consistency to a position that has deeply cost the Eagles in recent seasons. More importantly, the Eagles are built for Manning.

As I’ve complained about since Terrell Owens left, the Eagles lack big, physical receivers to minimize the consequences of inaccurate quarterbacks. With Manning’s precision, the Eagles current stable of receivers is a perfect fit. Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson (if re-signed) could expect precision passes and spend less time fighting for balls in the air against bigger, more physical defensive backs. Manning made a living throwing to the likes of Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clarke, Brandon Stokley, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. None of whom were/are big, physical receivers. All relied heavily on speed and quickness. Furthermore, LeSean McCoy is an ideal receiving back and would provide Manning his most dynamic backfield since Egderrin James.

Most important of all, the Eagles boast the NFL’s best left tackle in Jason Peters. Michael Vick made the Eagles offensive line look a lot worse than it actually was. Vick doesn’t understand how to work and move within a pocket. He panics and makes the offensive line’s job twice as hard. Manning is probably the best pocket passer in NFL history. I’m certain the Eagles offensive line is more than adequate to protect Manning.

Even the defense is tailored to Manning’s strengths. Andy Reid and Juan Castillo built the current Eagles defense based on the assumption that they’d have leads to protect. They were right. Unfortunately, the Eagles defense couldn’t protect those leads until it was too late. As the last month of the season revealed, the Eagles pass rush needed time to adjust to the new defensive scheme. Although there’s no guarantee the unit will continue that level of play in 2012, it’s not completely crazy to expect a full season of what we saw in December from the Eagles defense. After all, Manning won plenty of division titles and even a Superbowl with a defense that relied heavily on a pass rush spearheaded by Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

Of course, it would be irresponsible to take on Manning without considering the unfortunate reality of his situation; one hit and Manning may never play again (if he even plays at all). Vick is still, for the most part, in his athletic prime. Manning is unquestionably on the down slope of his career. Is it really wise to mortgage a bright future with a young offense to bring in an aging legend while keeping your fingers crossed he won’t suffer a career-ending injury? The answer: yes. Here’s why.

Although Vick is younger and has more spring in his step, he puts the Eagles in the exact same position. Vick hasn’t played a full season for the Eagles yet. His style of play makes devastating hits and injuries unavoidable. Besides, if the Eagles and Vick don’t win (or at least reach) the Superbowl in 2012, the whole team is getting blown up anyway. Reid will be out. Vick would almost certainly been gone as well. It’s not as if adding Manning would scuttle some master plan the Eagles put in motion years ago. At this point, the franchise is year to year. If Manning were to play, and the Eagles were to bring him in, I’m certain he and the Eagles would ensure he’s healthy enough to play at or near the level he was at in 2010. Manning’s chances of being lost to injury are no worse than Michael Vick’s. In fact, if Manning gets a clean bill of health, I’d bet on him taking more snaps than Vick.

Also, if Eli Manning wins another Superbowl next week, what better way for Peyton to take back the Manning family crown than to pursue (and hopefully win) another Superbowl in the same division as his brother?

Of course, all this is based on the shrinking likelihood that Peyton Manning ever plays again, the somewhat probable chance he’s released by the Colts, and the minute possibility he relocates to an outdoor team in a cold city in one of the fiercest divisions in football.

But hey, one can hope.