The Giants will win, Pats go 18-1

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Amazin' Mets over Earl Weaver and the Orioles in 1969. Joe Namath and the Jets delivering on a guarantee against the Colts in Super Bowl III.

The USA hockey team and its miracle against the Russians at Lake Placid. Villanova's perfect game to win the NCAA basketball championship against Patrick Ewing and Georgetown after losing twice in the regular season.

Even the New England Patriots canceling the "Greatest show on turf " in 2002.

Get the picture.

The history of sports is filled with unbelievable upsets by teams that seemingly didn't have a chance in you know what.

The New York Giants are next. Forget Tom Brady and the Patriots' quest for perfection.

It ends today in the Super Bowl.

The Giants (13-6) KNOW they can play with the Patriots (18-0). They learned that a month ago in the final game of the regular season in a 38-35 loss.

Sure, New York scored a late touchdown to make the game close, but it also had a 12-point third-quarter lead in a game that meant everything to New England and nothing to the Giants.

"We're confident," defensive end Justin Tuck said. "We believe in our abilities. We are playing the best football team ever to play in the NFL. When we say that we believe in ourselves, it is going to come off cocky, but what do you expect us to say? Did we come down here just to enjoy the festival? We came down here to win a football game."

Although there is no doubt the Giants must play their best to win, they've done just that recently against Tampa Bay, Dallas and Green Bay.

Start with the offense and Eli Manning. Peyton's little brother has lived up to those lofty expectations in the last four games, throwing eight touchdowns and one interception, including four touchdowns and an interception in the loss to New England.

That's only half his game. Watch him before each snap. His work studying opposing defenses has allowed him to change passing plays to runs, and runs to passes and help New York average almost 300 yards in offense this postseason.

New York also is plus-5 in postseason turnovers, which is significant. Teams that win the turnover battle in the playoffs win 85 percent of the games.

The running game also will have a new dimension for the Patriots. In the Dec. 29 game, rookie Ahmad Bradshaw sat out with a calf injury, taking away the outside part of the running game.

Without Bradshaw, New York rushed for 79 yards on 19 carries against New England, a 4.2 yard average. Big Brandon Jacobs gained 67 yards on 15 carries, a 4.5 yard average. New England's secondary also struggled against the Giants receivers.

Bottom line, the Giants should be able to put up points. But can they slow down the Patriots? There is no reason to believe they can't, especially with the defensive line hitting every quarterback in sight and the secondary finally healthy. The line led by Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora is the key to the game. It must hit Brady or force the Pats to keep six and seven players in to protect him, thus reducing his receiving options.
Prediction: Giants 31, Patriots 28.