For the New England Patriots and the New York Giants these next two weeks in Arizona are going to have both work and fun involved. The teams will have to practice toget ready for Super Bowl XLII on February 3.
In their spare time they will probably have time to take in the sights and sounds of Glendale, Ariz., the host of Super Bowl XLII.
The Giants earned their trip to the Super Bowl by defeating the Green Bay Packers 23-20 at Lambeau Field on one of the coldest days in NFL history.
The Giants also defeated the Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla. and the Cowboys at Texas Stadium earlier in the playoffs. So, the victory over Green Bay might not be as big of a surprise as people originally thought.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning is no longer going to be referred to as Peyton’s little brother. While not a great quarterback yet, Manning was good enough to not make critical mistakes, like he has been known to do in past seasons.
Manning’s performance, in addition to kicker Lawrence Tynes’ field goal in overtime from 47-yards gave the Giants their first trip to the Super Bowl since 2000.
The Giants will be heavy underdogs against the New England Patriots. Las Vegas early odds are ranking the Patriots 13 or 14 point favorites over the Giants. For the Giants though, they have been underdogs throughout the playoffs and still find a way to win.
While I’m picking New England to win this game and complete it’s undefeated season, don’t be surprised if the Giants find a way to pull this game out and win it.
After all these two teams played on the last week of the NFL regular season and the Patriots won 38-35 in a nail-biter.
Speaking of the Patriots, they made their way to Arizona with a 21-12 victory over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC championship game held in Foxborough, Mass this past Sunday.
While Tom Brady threw three interceptions, he was still able to throw two touchdowns to lead the Patriots to victory.
Laurence Maroney was also a big factor in the Patriots victory rushing for 122 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown. In the fourth quarter Maroney was able to pick up multiple first downs in helping the Patriots run out the clock.
San Diego got inside the New England 10-yard line four or five times, but each time had to settle for field goals against a Patriot defense that would bend but not break. Brady will certainly rebound in the Super Bowl and Randy Moss will probably come up big in the game also.
That along with Maroney running and the Patriots defense should, and I say should, be able to get them over the top.
If the Patriots win, they will have their fourth Super Bowl title in seven years, complete the season undefeated at 19-0 and could possibly lay claim to being better than the 1960’s Packers, the 1970’s Steelers, the 1980’s 49er’s, and the 1990’s Cowboys.
Back to the Giants victory in the NFC championship game Sunday in Green Bay, Manning completed 21 out of 40 passes for 254 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. The way Manning has grown up in these playoffs, it’s hard not to pick the Giants to win.
However, the Patriots are the Patriots and they have come too far to be denied now. So folks look for New England to complete it’s undefeated season in Glendale, Ariz. with a hard-fought, close victory over the Giants. Go Pats Go!