The New England Patriots are preparing to do the unthinkable and finish their remarkable season undefeated. The New York Giants, meanwhile, want payback after a stirring Week 17 loss to the Patriots. There's more at stake here than in the past. Super Bowl XLII should be one to remember. UPDATE! broke down each team and delivers its Super Bowl pick:
Comment: Eli Manning was not expected to do much against the Green Bay Packers in frigid Lambaeu. Instead, He defied expectations and put up 254 yards, completing 21 of his 40 passes while avoiding the dreaded interception. He didn't throw a touchdown, but he did look like a legit quarterback. New England's secondary gave up 211 yards in the air to a gimpy Phillip Rivers, so the advantage goes to New York's passing game; they've just been too hot this postseason.
Comment: Tom Brady fired miscues on just two passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars and then went 22-of-33 against the Chargers. There is no telling how nice this guy will be, even with an ankle sprain. Don't bet against Tom Brady — ever. He's proven he can play with the best of them. Add Randy Moss into the picture and no secondary can stop them, even R.W. McQuarters, Sam Madison and Aaron Ross. Advantage: Pats passing
Comment: The two-headed rushing monster known as Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw ripped through the Packers for 130 total yards and two touchdowns. That same monster also had a nice yardage total in Week 17 against these same Patriots. It's hard to beat a team twice in this league, especially a team as hot as the G-Men. Advantage: Jacobs and Bradshaw.
Comment: Laurence Maroney lit up the Chargers for 122 yards and a touchdown. He will not have such gaudy numbers against Big Blue. Strahan and Co. are hungry for a championship and will be up to the task of stopping New England on the ground. Advantage: Giants front seven.
Comment: When it comes to returns this post-season, New England has 92 yards to New Yorks 121 on kick-off returns. Plus, the Giants recorded 24 more yards on punt returns. Although the Giants seemingly have the advantage here, there is one little problem. Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes almost cost the G-Men a trip to the Super Bowl with his 3-for-5 FG performance. So, instead, the advantage goes to New Engalnd. They've shown the type of consistency you would expect from a championship caliber team all year long.
Comment: This one's a no-brainer. Bill Belicheck is arguably the greatest coach of all time. He has helmed the Pats to four Super Bowls victories in the last seven years. Meanwhile, all of New York was calling for Coughlin's head on a stick just a few weeks ago. After a couple of postseason wins, the crowd is back on his side. But the advantage goes, without question, to New England.
Comment: The Giants have one thing going for them — they peaked at the right time. They are as hot as a team can be and have been covering spreads the entire postseason. They have everything going for them and have put themselves in perfect position to dethrone the undefeated Pats. Advantage: New York.
Comment: The Giants showed some fire in their Week 17 loss to the Patriots. They ultimately came up short and they will this time as well. The Patriots, with their undefeated season at stake, have too much on the table to just lie down and let the Giants bowl them over. Tom Brady is the best quarterback in the league, and the Giants are banged up bad.
GIANTS PASSING
vs. PATRIOTS SECONDARY
Comment: Eli Manning was not expected to do much against the Green Bay Packers in frigid Lambaeu. Instead, He defied expectations and put up 254 yards, completing 21 of his 40 passes while avoiding the dreaded interception. He didn't throw a touchdown, but he did look like a legit quarterback. New England's secondary gave up 211 yards in the air to a gimpy Phillip Rivers, so the advantage goes to New York's passing game; they've just been too hot this postseason.
PATRIOTS PASSING
vs. GIANTS SECONDARY
Comment: Tom Brady fired miscues on just two passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars and then went 22-of-33 against the Chargers. There is no telling how nice this guy will be, even with an ankle sprain. Don't bet against Tom Brady — ever. He's proven he can play with the best of them. Add Randy Moss into the picture and no secondary can stop them, even R.W. McQuarters, Sam Madison and Aaron Ross. Advantage: Pats passing
GIANTS RUSHING
vs. PATRIOTS FRONT SEVEN
Comment: The two-headed rushing monster known as Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw ripped through the Packers for 130 total yards and two touchdowns. That same monster also had a nice yardage total in Week 17 against these same Patriots. It's hard to beat a team twice in this league, especially a team as hot as the G-Men. Advantage: Jacobs and Bradshaw.
PATRIOTS RUSHING
vs. GIANTS FRONT SEVEN
Comment: Laurence Maroney lit up the Chargers for 122 yards and a touchdown. He will not have such gaudy numbers against Big Blue. Strahan and Co. are hungry for a championship and will be up to the task of stopping New England on the ground. Advantage: Giants front seven.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Comment: When it comes to returns this post-season, New England has 92 yards to New Yorks 121 on kick-off returns. Plus, the Giants recorded 24 more yards on punt returns. Although the Giants seemingly have the advantage here, there is one little problem. Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes almost cost the G-Men a trip to the Super Bowl with his 3-for-5 FG performance. So, instead, the advantage goes to New Engalnd. They've shown the type of consistency you would expect from a championship caliber team all year long.
COACHING
Comment: This one's a no-brainer. Bill Belicheck is arguably the greatest coach of all time. He has helmed the Pats to four Super Bowls victories in the last seven years. Meanwhile, all of New York was calling for Coughlin's head on a stick just a few weeks ago. After a couple of postseason wins, the crowd is back on his side. But the advantage goes, without question, to New England.
INTANGIBLES
Comment: The Giants have one thing going for them — they peaked at the right time. They are as hot as a team can be and have been covering spreads the entire postseason. They have everything going for them and have put themselves in perfect position to dethrone the undefeated Pats. Advantage: New York.
FINAL SCORE
PATRIOTS, 27-20
Comment: The Giants showed some fire in their Week 17 loss to the Patriots. They ultimately came up short and they will this time as well. The Patriots, with their undefeated season at stake, have too much on the table to just lie down and let the Giants bowl them over. Tom Brady is the best quarterback in the league, and the Giants are banged up bad.
