The most important player in the Super Bowl is…..

Stephen Gostkowski

Who the hell is Stephen Gostkowski?

He is the man that will make or break the Patriots perfect season…

Let me explain….

Most oddsmakers have the Patriots as a 12-15 point favorite in this Sunday’s Super Bowl.

And while many would agree that the Patriots are a better team on paper its hard to argue against the Giants impressive road stretch, both during the regular season and the playoffs. Combine that with the way the Giants played against the Pats in week 17, and its a good bet this will be more competitive than the spread indicates.

And thats where our friend Mr. Gostkowski comes in. See, amid all the hoopla about the Pats Dynasty and how well they have fared in Super Bowls, its a wonder why people forget that each Super Bowl was decided by 3 points. Yes, a simple field goal.

A quick recap:

Super Bowl XXXVI(2002)-Adam Vinatieri kicks a 48 yard field goal as time expires
Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004)-Adam Vinatieri kicks a 41 yard field goal with 4 seconds remaining
Super Bowl XXXIX(2005)-Adam Vinatieri kicks a 22-yard field goal with 8:40 to play which ends up being the game winner

In fact, in the Patriots 16 playoff games since the 2002 season. Eight of those games have been decided by 7 points or less, six by 3 points or less.

In the 2004 and 2005 Super Bowls, the Patriots were favored by more than a field goal and they were clearly the better team. But yet, a field goal was all that separated them in the end.

So let’s peak in on Gostkowski’s numbers, shall we?

2006-2007 season
20-26 regular season 8-8 playoffs

2007-2008 season
21-24 regular season 1-2 playoffs

Career 40+ yards
Regular season: 6-10
Playoffs: 3-3

In total, Gostkowski makes about 83% of his field goals. However, of those 50 makes, not a single one has ever come as a game winner. In fact, in the two years he has been in the league, only one of his 4th quarter field goals came in a very close close game(i.e +/- 3pts).

How’s that for pressure?

This Sunday, when the Giants pass rush starts getting to Brady and they have to settle for field goals, they will have to rely on a man who hasn’t faced the heat yet, a man who is a virgin to playoff pressure, a man who has yet to kick a game winner.

It could be worse though, the Pats could have Lawrence Tynes.

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