The Patriots will win, make history

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - So, you think it's easy explaining, without hesitation or reservation, why the New England Patriots will complete a perfect season and win the Super Bowl?

Well, you're right. It is.

Does anyone honestly believe Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Randy Moss and the Patriots franchise will allow themselves to be associated with one of the greatest upsets in sports history? Think about it.

It's not going to happen.

"I told everyone that whatever you may think may be important this next week, it's really not that important," Brady said upon arriving in Arizona, "because this week will have an impact on the rest of your life."

The Patriots have come too far to fail in their quest to join the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only NFLteams to go undefeated from start to finish. Belichick, a master strategist, has had two weeks to put together the mother of all game plans and join Pittsburgh's Chuck Noll as the only coaches to win four Super Bowls.

"He's a guy who doesn't overlook any detail," safety Rodney Harrison said. "That's Bill Belichick. He just pays attention to every single aspect or detail about this football team. And that's the thing that really separates Bill Belichick from others."

That means the Giants are in trouble.

Sure, New York gave New England a major scare in Week 17 and nearly pulled off an upset. But almost doesn't cut it. Eli Manning had a terrific game, and the Giants' defensive line pressured, hit and forced Brady to make decisions faster than he prefers.

It still wasn't good enough, and the Patriots now know what to expect. "We are all going to do our best to hopefully make this one of the weeks that we remember for all of the great reasons and not a week we would like to forget," Brady said.

He'll make sure of it. He's got the looks the ladies love, and he's got everything anyone could ever want in a quarterback. Just ask Moss. "We are talking about the MVP," he said, "and in my eyes, the greatest quarterback to ever play this game."

Brady is the ultimate leader: cool, calm and collected. He also has had perhaps the best season in NFLhistory by a quarterback, setting records with 50 touchdown passes - and five more in the playoffs - and leading the Patriots to a league mark for points. He's been helped by a massive and talented offensive line that has allowed just 24 sacks, a career-low for Brady.

One of those sacks came against the Giants, who have the league's top pass rush, but starting right guard Stephen Neal and right tackle Nick Kaczur didn't play in that game because of injuries. They're back, so Brady's brawny and bearded linemen are all together.

Many believe the one way to beat Brady is to fluster him and make him to stray from the game plan. It didn't work for the Giants a month ago, and it didn't work 17 other weeks. Even when Brady is forced to change things up on the fly, he always seems to make the right call. Moss, who caught an NFL-record 23 TDs, has only two catches in the postseason. No problem. Instead, Brady has found Wes Welker, who had 112 receptions in the regular season and 16 more in the playoffs.

Still, chatty wide receiver Plaxico Burress guaranteed a Giants victory - 23-17. The last few times players made such a bold claim - Pittsburgh's Anthony Smith in Week 13, and San Diego's Igor Olshansky before the AFC championship - they were embarrassed by Brady and the Patriots.
Prediction: Patriots 38, Giants 24.