Super Bowl XLII: Clutch Brady Comes Up Short

By Tom Torrisi
SportsTicker Pro Football Editor

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - With a perfect season on the line, Tom Brady was looking quite human. That was the good news for the New York Giants, who sacked the league's Most Valuable Player a season-high five times and had the Patriots' record-setting offense reeling. Until, that is, New York forged ahead early in the fourth quarter, putting Brady in a spot from which he has carved out a legendary reputation.

"There's no quit in him," Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said of Brady. "He's the type of guy who definitely continues to fight." Already a two-time Super Bowl MVP and a player who had produced 28 career game-winning drives, Brady had the chance to produce some more late magic. And, as usual, Brady did. Taking over with 7:54 to play, Brady hit 7-of-8 passes to move the Patriots to the 6-yard line with 3 1/2 minutes to play. After a pair of incompletions, Brady connected with Randy Moss on a 6-yard scoring strike to give New England a 14-10 lead with 2:42 to play.

Game over? "I just think in a certain sense it gave us a little momentum," Moss said. "We've been able to close out games like that," fellow wideout Wes Welker said. "Unfortunately, this time we weren't able to." That's because Eli Manning stole a page out of Brady's playbook and brought the Giants on a 12-play, 83-yard drive, needing just 2:07 to produce the game-winning touchdown - a 13-yard pass to Plaxico Burress with 13 seconds to play. "Eli and his offense made some great plays on that last drive of the fourth quarter," Moss said. "Hats off to them."

It was an unfamiliar feeling for Brady, who was less than three minutes away from becoming just the fourth quarterback in NFL history to win four Super Bowls. But it's a feeling Brady said will stick with him for quite some time. "I am sure a long time," Brady said. "You never forget these ones. I haven't forgotten the Colts game (a 38-34 playoff loss) from last year. The losses you always remember as much, they are the hardest. "When you are winning with two minutes and 40 seconds left, you are hoping you can pull it out."

Super Bowl XLII: Inside the Game

By Jim Ralabate
SportsTicker Staff Writer

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - The inside story of the New York Giants' historic 17-14 upset of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

HEROES: Giants quarterback Eli Manning and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Manning emerged from the shadow of big brother Peyton to become a star, authoring an improbable game-winning drive capped by his 13-yard touchdown to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds remaining. It was a night of redemption, recognition and jubilation for Manning, whose first three seasons in New York had been marked by constant criticism toward his laid-back demeanor and skittishness in the clutch. But Manning came up with his best performance in the most pressure-packed of situations, matching the heroics of Tom Brady en route to winning Super Bowl MVP honors. Manning completed 9-of-14 passes for 152 yards in the fourth quarter, accounting for New York's only two touchdowns in the game with his 13-yarder to Burress and a 5-yarder to David Tyree with 11 minutes left. Manning finished 19-of-34 for 255 yards, two TDs and one interceptions - his first of the postseason. While Manning saved his best for the end, Spagnuolo's defense all but shut down the Patriots' record-setting offense, limiting New England to a season-low 14 points by consistently pressuring Brady. Spagnuolo, a first-year defensive coordinator, devised a game plan in which the Giants used a variety of blitzes to keep Brady out of rhythm. Although Brady orchestrated a vintage 80-yard drive to give New England a 14-10 lead with 2:42 left, the Giants held the Patriots to just 274 yards of total offense. New York also sacked Brady five times, the highest single-game total allowed this season by the Patriots. GOATS: The Patriots' defense, which failed to protect a 14-10 lead by allowing the Giants to march 83 yards and score in just 2 minutes, 7 seconds. Despite boasting a veteran unit which included multiple players with Super Bowl experience, New England failed to come up with a crucial stop against the Giants, who converted two third downs and a 4th-and-1 on the decisive drive. The Patriots failed to stop running back Brandon Jacobs on 4th-and-1, they failed to finish off a sack of Manning on 3rd-and-5 and they failed to hold New York on 3rd-and-11 from their own 25. The last Patriots defensive player to come up short was cornerback Ellis Hobbs, who slipped in one-on-one coverage of Burress on New York's game-winning touchdown.

TURNING POINT: The Patriots were one sack away from forcing the Giants into a 4th-and-long in the game's final minute. But Manning miraculously slipped away from a pair of tacklers, rolled to his right and lofted a ball to Tyree, who amazingly pressed the ball against his helmet and came down with a 32-yard reception. The whacky play moved the ball to the Patriots 24-yard line, and Manning found Burress for the game-winner four plays later.

BIGGEST SURPRISE: Randy Moss entered the fourth quarter with only one catch. The Giants' secondary did an excellent job of bottling up Moss over the game's first three quarters, although half of the credit also should go to New York's relentless pressure of Brady. Despite finishing with five catches for 62 yards and a TD, Moss was not much of factor for most of the game.

DEFENSIVE STARS: Defensive linemen Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Michael Strahan harassed Brady throughout the contest. Despite failing to record a sack, Umenyiora recovered a fumble and dominated Patriots All-Pro left tackle Matt Light. Tuck was outstanding in the first half and finished with two sacks, while Strahan added a crucial third-quarter sack that stalled a potential scoring drive and forced New England to punt. Linebacker Kawika Mitchell and rookie defensive tackle Jay Alford also joined in on the fun, recording sacks of Brady.

Super Bowl Facts & Figures

SUPER BOWL 42 -- NEW YORK 17, NEW ENGLAND 14

SCORING SUMMARY
NY GIANTS 3 0 0 14 = 17
NEW ENGLAND 0 7 0 7 = 14

1ST QUARTER:
NYG - FG, LAWRENCE TYNES 32 YD

2ND QUARTER:
NWE - TD, LAURENCE MARONEY 1 YD RUN

4TH QUARTER:
NYG - TD, DAVID TYREE 5 YD PASS FROM ELI MANNING (LAWRENCE TYNES KICK)
NWE - TD, RANDY MOSS 6 YD PASS FROM TOM BRADY (STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI KICK)
NYG - TD, PLAXICO BURRESS 13 YD PASS FROM ELI MANNING (LAWRENCE TYNES KICK)

ATT: 71,101
LAST 10 SUPER BOWL RESULTS
42 - 2008, New York 17, New England 14 , Glendale, 71,101
41 - 2007, Indianapolis 29, Chicago 17 , Miami, 74,512
40 - 2006, Pittsburgh 21, Seattle 10, Detroit, 68,206
39 - 2005, New England 24, Philadelphia 21, Jacksonville , 78,125
38 - 2004, New England 32, Carolina 29, Houston, 71,525
37 - 2003, Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21, San Diego, 67,603
36 - 2002, New England 20, St. Louis 17, New Orleans, 72,922
35 - 2001 Baltimore 34, NY Giants 7, Tampa, 71,921
34 - 2000, St. Louis 23, Tennessee 16, Atlanta, 71,253
33 - 1999, Denver 34, Atlanta 19, Miami, 74,803
32 - 1998, Denver 31, Green Bay 24, San Diego , 68,912

Giants Upset Patriots in Super Bowl XLII

By Tom Torrisi
SportsTicker Pro Football Editor

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - Tom Brady once again produced in the clutch. But this time, it was Eli Manning who authored a perfect ending.

Manning upstaged a clutch performance by Brady with a brilliant effort of his own, rallying the New York Giants to a stunning 17-14 victory over the previously undefeated New England Patriots on Sunday in Super Bowl XLII.

A double-digit underdog, the Giants (14-6) produced one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history when Manning hit Plaxico Burress for the game-clinching 13-yard touchdown pass with just 35 seconds to play.

"The guys on this team and the run we've made, it's hard to believe - it really is," said Manning, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player. "We had a great fight and the defense played outstanding."

Manning's heroics denied the Patriots' bid to become just the second team to complete a perfect season with a Super Bowl championship, matching the 1972 Miami Dolphins.

"This is the greatest feeling in professional sports," Burress said. "For us to come out here and win a world championship tonight - nobody gave us a shot."

The winning touchdown came just over two minutes after Brady had seemingly locked up a fourth title in seven years for New England when he tossed a 7-yard scoring pass to Randy Moss to give the Patriots a 14-10 lead with 2:42 left.

But it was more than enough time for the much-maligned Manning, who marched the Giants 83 yards in just 2:07 to avenge a 38-35 loss to New England (18-1) in the regular-season finale.

Manning kept the drive alive by pulling off an imitation of Michael Vick, escaping the grasp of two defenders and lofting a 32-yard pass to David Tyree, who made a sensational leaping catch by pressing the ball against his helmet as he tumbled to the ground at the 24-yard line with 1:15 to play.

"It was just a great catch by David Tyree," Manning said. "I found a way to get loose and just really threw it up. He made an unbelievable catch and saved the game."

Four plays later, Manning floated a pass Burress in the left corner of the end zone for the winning score, capping a remarkable run by the resilient Giants.

New York won three road playoff games en route to capturing the championship as a No. 5 seed, duplicating the feat of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005.

Manning completed 19-of-34 passes for 255 yards, two touchdowns and an interception - his only one of the postseason.

Brady finished 29-of-48 for 266 yards and one TD but was sacked a season-high four times by the relentless New York defense.

With the Giants trailing, 7-3, entering the final quarter, Manning moved the Giants 80 yards in six plays, capping it with a 5-yard scoring pass over the middle to Tyree.

The big plays in the march were completions of 45 yards to rookie tight end Kevin Boss and 17 yards to rookie wide receiver Steve Smith.

It was the first touchdown of the season for Tyree and the first TD allowed by New England's defense in 11 quarters.

The Giants turned away the Patriots' best scoring opportunity in the third quarter by coming up with another big sack - this time by Michael Strahan - to force the Patriots into a 4th-and-13 at the 31-yard line.

It was a season-high fourth sack endured by Brady, whose fourth-down pass sailed out of bounds in the end zone after Patriots coach Bill Belichick eschewed a 49-yard field goal attempt.

"Can somebody give out defense some credit?" Burress said. "Them guys were out there playing phenomenal. We just hung in there and kept executing, never got down on ourselves."

Despite their offense holding the ball for just seven plays and 3:39 in the third quarter, the Giants kept the Patriots off the board and entered the final 15 minutes trailing by just 7-3.

The 10 combined points through three quarters were the second-fewest in the history of the game.

Super Bowl XLII: Prediction

By Chris Palochko
SportsTicker Staff Writer

Playoff record: 6-4 New England (-12 1/2) over New York Giants

Picking against the Patriots the last two months has proved extremely profitable. Not this time. This is the spot where the Patriots show why they're one of the greatest teams of all-time. Giants will have a few highlights early before Brady and Co. take control.
PICK: New England, 34-17

Super Bowl XLII: Ready to Play

By Tom Torrisi
SportsTicker Pro Football Editor

PHOENIX (Ticker) - Do not try to convince the New York Giants that nothing good comes out of a loss. A narrow 38-35 defeat to the New England Patriots in the regular-season finale may have been the best thing to happen to the Giants - even if the game was essentially meaningless to them. Not only did it show New York (13-6) that it could compete with the league's best team, the loss served to spark a slumbering offense that had produced more than 21 points just once in the previous eight games. Armed with a renewed confidence, the fifth-seeded Giants ripped off three consecutive road victories, including revenge games against the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, to earn a most improbable berth in Sunday's Super Bowl XLII.

Their opponent, appropriately enough, is the Patriots (18-0), who capped off the first 16-0 regular season by overtaking the Giants, rallying from their largest deficit of the season (28-16) in the second half to do so. New England held its final practice session Friday. Coach Bill Belichick elected to have the Patriots forego the normal walkthrough at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday. "We're ready to roll," Belichick said.

"We're ready as we're going to be." Giants coach Tom Coughlin put his team through an 80-minute workout Friday and concluded preparations with a walkthrough Saturday. "It was a good solid work week," Coughlin said. "We talked about coming over here and having a good six hours (of practice) together. We had that each day we worked." Now the task for New York is slowing down the Patriots' bid for history - something its players know is possible from the first matchup. "I don't really think there is such a thing as a moral victory," veteran Giants receiver Amani Toomer said. "I think we played them tough and they know we played them tough."

Indeed the Giants' demeanor has been decidedly upbeat this week - to the point where wide receiver Plaxico Burress predicted a 23-17 victory for New York and did not back down from the statement when pressed on it at Media Day. "Are predictions guarantees?" Burress asked. "We want to win the game. It's OK to want to win, think big, and dream. We're going to take this thing back to New York."

Quarterback Eli Manning, however, was quick to caution that as well as the Giants played in the regular-season finale, the final outcome still resulted in a loss. "We were able to put up a good bit of points and move the ball at times against them," Manning said. "Even as well as we played, we didn't win. That tells us if we expect to win this game, were going to have to play even better than that and play a near-perfect game. Manning has been steely efficient in the postseason, throwing four touchdowns and zero interceptions - a marked turnaround from the regular season in which he threw 23 scoring passes and was picked off a career-high 20 times.

Ironically, had the Patriots not been trying to etch their names in the record books with the first unbeaten regular season since the 1972 Miami Dolphins, Manning likely would have viewed the game from the sideline. Locked in as the No. 5 seed, the Giants had nothing to play for but Coughlin elected not to rest his players in a game of such magnitude. "When we were preparing to play the Patriots the first time, the idea was that we were going to play to the best of our ability," Coughlin said. "It was all going to be positive, we had nothing to lose, we were going to go do the very best that we can, we were going to have some fun with it, and looking back on that it became a continuous theme with this group of people; of playing as hard as we can, having fun with it, and letting the athletic ability of our players step to the front."

Now the question is, do the Giants have it in them to take that next step and take down the undefeated Patriots to capture their first Super Bowl championship in 17 years. Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said his team learned a simple but valuable lesson from that game: "The Patriots are pretty good." Belichick, who is seeking to become the second coach in history to win four Super Bowls - all since 2001 - shares a similar sentiment about the Giants, particularly after seeing their play in the last month. "It was a very competitive game. We knew when we played the Giants down there they had a very physical football team," Belichick said. "We felt they were as good as any team we had played and they have gone on to play even better than that in the playoffs and I clearly feel now they are the best team we have played all year."

The challenge presented by New York would be greater if the ankle injury of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady ended up worse than the team had initially let on. Already a two-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, Brady was spotted wearing a medical walking boot in New York City on January 21, setting off a media frenzy in the Northeast. When Brady failed to show up either in the locker room or at portions of practice which the media was allowed to view on Thursday and Friday, the furor escalated - everywhere but in New England's locker room. Brady put such concerns at ease Tuesday when he said the ankle felt great one day after going through a light practice. "It's doing good. I'm feeling better each day," Brady said. "I'm glad we had the week off and I had the chance to rest a little bit. I really feel that by the game it's going to feel great, and there will be no issues. "Not that I can run anyway, but hopefully I'll be able to skirt around some of those guys who are trying to tear my head off." Brady, who has made 126 consecutive starts, is coming off his finest season, setting the league's touchdown mark with 50 scoring passes and throwing just two interceptions. The youngest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl at 24 years, 184 days old in January 2002, Brady owns a stellar 14-2 record in the postseason. "We expect the Tom Brady to come out that was the MVP of the league, that put up one of the best seasons all-time for a quarterback this year, and that is what we expect," Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "We are not looking at that whole hoopla that was about that boot. We expect the best from Tom Brady."

The Giants also must be concerned with containing Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss, who broke an NFL record with 23 touchdown passes in the regular season but has been limited to just two catches in the playoffs. Still, although Brady threw for 356 yards and two TDs to Moss in the first meeting, the Giants since have bottled up three Pro Bowl quarterbacks in Jeff Garcia, Tony Romo and Brett Favre. They will hope to do the same in the Super Bowl by applying constant pressure on Brady and then controlling the clock with the two-pronged running attack of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. "Most definitely," Jacobs said. "That's any offense. If their offense is not on the field, then they don't have any opportunity to score points."

Super Bowl XLII: Friday Notebook

By Jim Ralabate and Tom Torrisi
SportsTicker Staff Writers

PHOENIX (Ticker) - Move over, 1972 Miami Dolphins - the population of Perfectville is about to increase. For 35 years, the '72 Dolphins stood alone as the only team in NFL history to complete a perfect season. But that distinction could be shared by the New England Patriots, who need to defeat the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII to become the league's first 19-0 team. Members of the '72 Dolphins, a team which defeated the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII to finish a perfect 17-0, gathered Friday for a news conference at the Phoenix Convention Center. A group which included running backs Jim Kiick and Mercury Morris, lineman Larry Little and kicker Garo Yepremian sat next to a large green street sign which read, "Welcome to Perfectville. Population: 1." Morris, the staunchest defender of the '72 Dolphins' place in history, claimed that his former team's legacy will not change if the heavily favored Patriots beat the Giants on Sunday. "We live in the state of perfection," Morris said. "They're trying to get it on their license plate. We'll find out Sunday, when all the talking stops, whether or not they'll be riding around our neighborhood or whether they'll be able to park." Little said he wouldn't mind sharing Perfectville with the Patriots, as long as the '72 Dolphins earned special recognition as the first team to record a perfect season. "We'll be 1-A, they'll be 1-B," Little said. "They'll be like our little brother." As for the '72 Dolphins' rooting interests, that wasn't even up for debate. "I'm not rooting against the Patriots," Kiick said. "I'm rooting for the Giants. But obviously if I'm rooting for the Giants, I'm rooting against the Patriots."

MEET THE NEW BOSS: One of the most unlikely players expected to have a meaningful role with the Giants this season is rookie tight end Kevin Boss. And it's not just because that position was the domain of the brash Jeremy Shockey entering the season. Boss was drafted in the fifth round out of Western Oregon, a Division II college that plays such "powerhouses" as Dixie State, Humboldt State and Linfield College. "I definitely didn't think I'd be in the Super Bowl," Boss said. "I don't know if it's completely sunk in yet." It's safe to say the Giants were not expecting much of an immediate contribution from Boss - nor did they get any. The 6-6 Boss did not even see action until the ninth game of the season. But when Shockey was lost to a season-ending leg injury in Week 15, the rookie's future prospects started to change. Even though Boss did not have a reception the following week against the Buffalo Bills, he came out of nowhere to have a solid performance against the Patriots in the regular-season finale. Boss had four receptions - only shy of his entire season total to that point - for 50 yards, helping the Giants to a near-upset of New England and giving his confidence a major boost. "It was nice to catch a few balls and get involved in the offense," Boss said. "It was nice to build a relationship with Eli (Manning) and get involved in the offense. I'm looking forward to going out there and playing them again." Boss is hoping to carry that positive vibe from the first game into Sunday's rematch with the Patriots. Being such a raw rookie, the familiarity helps even more. "It was only a couple of weeks ago that we played them," Boss said. "It instills confidence in our game plan."
PRACTICE: Osi Umenyiora and Plaxico Burress both missed the Giants' practice session Friday. New York's Pro Bowl defensive end, Umenyiora was sidelined with a sore thigh but is listed as probable for Sunday's game. Burress, the Giants' leading receiver, is listed as questionable after being hampered by ankle and knee injuries and has not practicing all week. After spending the majority of the last two days in the training room, Burress actually was on the practice field running pass routes during individual drills. "He did run a few things in individual," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "He ran a couple of slants. He took a play in the 'green zone,' and that was about all we did with him." Burress has been slowed by a chronically injured right ankle since training camp. The eight-year veteran also was held out of the last two days' workouts due to swelling and soreness in his left knee. "He's improved," said Coughlin, who noted that Burress routinely skipped practices during the season to rest his ankle. "He's done it all year under all kinds of circumstances. We've just got to be hopeful he can do it one more time." Left guard Rich Seubert (knee) and reserve cornerback Kevin Dockery (hip) both were full participants in Friday's workout and are listed as probable. Practice ran smoothly for the Patriots, who conducted an 80-minute workout in shorts and shells. "We're ready to roll," Belichick said. "We're ready as we're going to be." After working out on a limited basis the last two days, New England wide receiver Jabar Gaffney was a full participant in Friday's practice.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA: A total of 116 international media organizations will cover Super Bowl XLII. Mexico will have 23 media outlets at University of Phoenix Stadium, followed by Japan (19), Germany (18), the United Kingdom (17) and Canada (14).

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Commissioner Roger Goodell, responding to whether his one-year suspension on Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, was too harsh. "He has to demonstrate through his actions that he's going to change. If he doesn't understand that message and he needs more time to understand it, I'll be glad to accommodate him."

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the low 60s.

Super Bowl XLII: Thursday Notebook

By Tom Torrisi and Jim Ralabate
SportsTicker Staff Writers

PHOENIX (Ticker) - Stephen Gostkowski has some enormous shoes to fill. Try size XLII. A victory over the New York Giants on Sunday would give the New England Patriots four Super Bowl titles in seven years and ratchet up the talk of a dynasty. It's almost easy to forget that the Patriots have won each of those championships by a mere three points - and the first two came on two of the most unforgettable clutch kicks in the history of the game. Each was delivered courtesy of Adam Vinatieri, who nailed a 48-yarder as time ran out to beat the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, and split the uprights with a 41-yarder to sink the Carolina Panthers two years later. Considered the game's greatest clutch kicker, Vinatieri departed New England as a free agent to sign with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006. He connected on 14-of-15 field goal attempts and earned his fourth Super Bowl ring in the Colts' run to the championship. Should the Patriots be in position to win Super Bowl XLII against the Giants with the field goal on Sunday, it will be up to second-year kicker Gostkowski to supply what Vinatieri did so routinely in his 10 seasons in New England. Gostkowski, a fourth-round pick out of Memphis in 2006, insists he is up to the challenge. "I am always pretty relaxed out there, whatever the situation," Gostkowski said. "It doesn't matter what situation, I have to be relaxed and focused on what I have to do. There is pressure on every kick I have to make every week. Just because it's the Super Bowl, that's not going to be on my mind when I am on the field. "This is a game. It's a game we have to win. That is how I am approaching it. I don't think of it any differently." Gostkowski converted 21-of-24 field goals during the regular season, including 3-of-5 from over 40 yards. He has had just two attempts in the playoffs this season, missing his first but hitting a 35-yarder with 6:39 to play to put the game out of reach in the divisional round win over Jacksonville. Of course, Gostkowski said he will not complain if he's not called upon at all on Sunday. "I just want to win, whatever it takes to win," he said. "If we win 45-0, I don't care. It doesn't matter what it is for me; I just want to win. Whatever helps the team out and if it comes to (a game-winning kick), I want to pull through for my team." Gostkowski showed he could handle postseason pressure a year ago, converting all eight of his attempts in three games, including three over 40 yards. "(He) did an excellent job last year and this year, both in his kickoffs and his field goals," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "We have a lot of confidence in him. He's kicked in all different kinds of conditions this year. I think that's something that has been a little more challenging for him this year than it was last year, but he's made some big kicks for us in the last couple seasons." There could be no bigger kick for Gostkowski on Sunday if the Patriots are staring at a situation similar to what Vinatieri faced at the end of the 2001 and 2003 seasons. A Super Bowl title is pressure enough, but also riding on Gostkowski's attempt would be the second perfect season in league history and a chance to become the first team to go 19-0. Gostkowski said his mentality is to feed off what the Patriots have accomplished. "It's contagious. When everybody on your team is hitting in baseball, you're going to get a hit too," he said. "That's the way I feel when the team is playing well. It's makes it feel like I am going to play well. You don't want to be the guy who messes it up for this team. I think everybody feels that way. "Coach Belichick tells us all the time, 'Do your job and trust that the guy next to you will do his.' I am not worried about anybody's else's job. I am just worried about mine, so they don't have to worry about me."
PRACTICE: The Giants held their second practice since arriving in the Phoenix area, and Plaxico Burress once again was a no-show Thursday. After missing the previous day's workout due to his chronically injured right ankle, Burress was sidelined Thursday due to swelling and soreness in his left knee. "He has an ankle that always has been a problem, but he also has some issues with a knee that off and on in the past has bothered him," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "That's the thing right now. Between the two of them, that's why he's not working. He comes out and tries to go and can't go." Left guard Rich Seubert (knee) and reserve cornerback Kevin Dockery (hip) both were full participants Thursday after taking half the snaps the previous day. Aside from Burress' absence, Coughlin seemed pleased with the overall workout at the Arizona Cardinals' facility in Tempe. "The energy level has been really high," Coughlin said. "They were obviously flying around pretty good. I thought the execution was OK. We're moving toward the game. We're getting there. We're sure getting there." The Patriots also are getting there according to Belichick, who said his team has nearly completed its game preparation. "We're pretty close," Belichick said. "We'll review some stuff tomorrow. There won't be hardly anything new - just reviewing situations. "We're as ready as we're going to be. We could spend four weeks preparing for the Giants. But we'll be ready to go." Tom Brady looked ready to go Thursday, participating fully in New England's practice while showing no negative signs from a right ankle injury which sidelined him last week. The reigning league MVP, New England's star quarterback did not appear to limp and was not wearing any medical tape on or around his right foot. Patriots receiver Jabar Gaffney was limited in practice due to a shoulder injury.
AWARDS: Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson received the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year award Thursday. Selected via a fan vote, Peterson beat out linebacker Patrick Willis, running back Marshawn Lynch, offensive tackle Joe Thomas and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders also was honored Thursday, receiving the GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Year award. Sanders edged a group of finalists that included defensive ends Patrick Kerney and Mario Williams, linebacker Mike Vrabel and cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Players' union executive director Gene Upshaw on hopefully negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with NFL owners - "I just don't want the owners to believe that somehow there's a Santa Claus."

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the high 50s.

Super Bowl XLII: Injury Report

(Ticker) - Following is a list of injured players for Super Bowl XLII (February 3):
NEW YORK GIANTS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

NEW YORK GIANTS
QUESTIONABLE: WR Plaxico Burress (ankle), CB Kevin Dockery (hip flexor), G Rich Seubert (knee)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
QUESTIONABLE: WR Jabar Gaffney (shoulder)
PROBABLE: QB Tom Brady (right shoulder

Super Bowl XLII: Referee Crew

(Ticker) - The following are the seven-man crew of game officials selected to work Super Bowl XLII at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona:
Referee: Mike Carey
Umpire: Tony Michalek
Head Linesman: Gary Slaughter
Line Judge: Carl Johnson
Field Judge: Boris Cheek
Side Judge: Larry Rose
Back Judge: Scott Helverson
Replay Assistant: Ken Baker

Super Bowl XLII: Wednesday Notebook

By Jim Ralabate and Tom Torrisi
SportsTicker Staff Writers

PHOENIX (Ticker) - Hanging up on a potential employer turned out to be a brilliant career move for Randy Moss. The record-setting Pro Bowl wide receiver of the New England Patriots made an interesting admission Wednesday during the team's morning media session. Coming off two awful seasons with the Oakland Raiders, Moss demanded to be traded this past offseason - and Brett Favre hoped to find a home for him in Green Bay. But Moss and the Packers apparently never were on the same page, something the mercurial wideout revealed Wednesday. "The Packers were really talking about the wrong things, and not the right things," said Moss, referring to Green Bay's attempt to restructure his salary. "When they started talking more about the wrong things, I just hung up the phone and didn't want to talk to them anymore." The rest is history - literally. The Raiders traded Moss to the Patriots on draft day, propelling him to a brilliant campaign highlighted by his single-season record 23 touchdown catches. When asked Wednesday about his pending free agency, Moss declaratively stated that he wanted to remain with Tom Brady and the Patriots for the rest of his career. One can only wonder how that career would have ended had Moss been paired with Favre. "I thought at first it was something that could have worked, for the fact that Brett Favre was there," Moss said. "But I think as the conversations occurred throughout the day and the next day, I didn't really want to go to Green Bay."

SHEEPISH ABOUT HIS PAST: Offensive guard Grey Ruegamer is one of just three Giants players who have experience playing in a Super Bowl. Ruegamer, however, is the only one of the trio with a ring. Ironically, he earned it as a member of the New England Patriots in the 2001 season. That's not the only experience that sets Ruegamer apart from his teammates. His resume includes a job few would ever want - and not because it leaves a bad taste in one's mouth. To help out a friend of the family in Las Vegas, Ruegamer earned a paycheck by castrating sheep - with his teeth. "It happened to be a Basque family and that's just the way they did it," Ruegamer explained. "Pretty much they look like the end of your fingers. You rip them off and spit them in a bucket." When a reporter inquired if it was similar to eating crayfish, Ruegamer responded: "I don't know, I've never eaten crayfish. Crayfish might have a little more crunch to it." Acknowledging it was not the most pleasant task, Ruegamer said the job did have its perks. "Hey, it's one of those things, you got through it, had fun, drink some beer, rope some horses and had a good time."

PRACTICE: Brady was a full participant in practice Wednesday, showing no signs of the ankle injury which sidelined him last week. Wide receiver Jabar Gaffney was limited in New England's practice due to a shoulder injury. The Giants held their first practice since arriving in the Phoenix area Monday evening, and Plaxico Burress again was noticeably absent. New York's leading receiver, Burress has been slowed by an injured right ankle since training camp and missed practices regularly throughout the season. Giants left guard Rich Seubert (knee) and cornerback Kevin Dockery (hip) both were limited in practice.

NFL FACES IN THE CROWD: Favre and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor arrived at the Phoenix Convention Center on Wednesday to receive the FedEx Air and Ground NFL Players of the Year Awards, as voted by the fans. Favre and Taylor edged a group of finalists which also included Brady, LaDainian Tomlinson and Tony Romo. Taylor and the Jaguars lost to New England, 31-20, in the divisional playoffs, and the Pro Bowl running back said he did not have an answer on how to topple the unbeaten Patriots. "If I knew that, I wouldn't be up here," Taylor quipped. Several other current NFL stars were seen making the rounds in the media center Wednesday, including reigning Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Matt Leinart, Matt Hasselbeck and Larry Fitzgerald.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Referee Mike Carey was named to head the seven-man officiating crew for Super Bowl XLII. The first black referee to work the Super Bowl, Carey will be joined by umpire Tony Michalek, head linesman Gary Slaughter, line judge Carl Johnson, field judge Boris Cheek, side judge Larry Rose and back judge Scott Helverson. Carey has a familiarity with both Super Bowl squads, having worked the matchup between the Giants and Patriots in the regular-season finale.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Moss, when told the Giants wore black on the plane ride because they want to bury the Patriots' perfect season - "You are supposed to wear black to a funeral. ... We'll see who has black on after the game."

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the high 50s.

Dennis Green's 2-Minute Drill

By Dennis Green
NCS Expert NFL Contributor

The Super Bowl this year is unique for a couple of reasons. The New England Patriots beat the New York Giants in the last game of the 2007 regular season. There is good news and bad news for each team. First, the Patriots finished the regular undefeated with a perfect 16-0 record. This has never been accomplished before in the history of the NFL. They have broken most of the NFL offensive records along the way.

The MVP quarterback, Tom Brady broke some and wide receiver Randy Moss broke some. Surprisingly, Moss has only caught two passes in two of their earlier playoff games. The Patriots have been running the ball very well and are expected to continue this approach in this game. The Patriots defense is loaded with veterans and most of them have already won a couple Super Bowls.

The New York Giants lost that game to the Patriots at home in the Meadowlands. The good news for the Giants is that they do not play well at home. In contrast, they rarely lose on the road and the confidence they show is amazing. The football game in Green Bay in tough wintry conditions was an example of their mental and physical toughness. They have an excellent defensive line that can put pressure on Tom Brady. Also, the Giants have an outstanding running attack and have the big play passing game to go with it.

So, pick your favorite spot to watch the game, enjoy the commercials, and root for someone even if your main team is not playing.

Super Bowl XLII: Tuesday Notebook

By Tom Torrisi and Jim Ralabate
SportsTicker Staff Writers

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Move over, Joe Namath and Mark Messier? If the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday, Plaxico Burress likely will join Namath and Messier as New York legends who guaranteed a victory on a national stage. Ok, maybe Burress' "guarantee" was a little soft in contrast to the aforementioned duo, particularly the swashbuckling Namath, who guaranteed a victory by the New York Jets over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in what stands as the greatest upset in Super Bowl history. In response to a reporter's question asking for a prediction earlier in the week, Burress said: "23-17, Giants." It hardly seems like bravado on the surface, but with more than 4,500 media members searching for any scrap of a story in the Arizona desert, Burress' prediction has taken on a life of its own. Not that the Giants' wide receiver was backing down from his statement when pressed on the issue at Media Day on Tuesday. "Are predictions guarantees?" Burress asked. "We want to win the game. It's OK to want to win, think big, and dream. We're going to take this thing back to New York."

MEDIA DAY OBSERVATIONS: It isn't often when Brady or Eli Manning are not at the center of attention. But that was the case Tuesday at Media Day, where the sideshows frequently became the main attraction. One "journalist" conducted most of his interviews via a hand-puppet that resembled a horribly disfigured monkey. Another character donned a gold turban and long-flowing cape while meandering from podium to podium and making Super Bowl predictions that left much to be desired. Then there was Ines Gomez-Mont, a TV Azteca reporter who showed up wearing a white wedding mini gown and offered her hand in marriage to just about anyone who would listen. Perhaps more of the eligible bachelors would have accepted the proposals had they come from Veronica Grabowski, the reigning Miss Nevada who wore a beauty pageant sash while sporting a revealing tank top. Pop singer Kellie Pickler, a former contestant on "American Idol," and Claudia Jordan, one of the briefcase-toting models on "Deal or No Deal," also made the rounds at the University of Phoenix Stadium. But no one turned more heads than Ines Sainz, another TV Azteca reporter who has made an annual habit of drawing prolonged stares at Media Day.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker on the difference between playing in New England and Miami - "Weather. Women. Wins."

WEATHER: Sunny with temperature in the mid-60s.

Super Bowl XLII: Monday Notebook

By Jim Ralabate and Tom Torrisi
SportsTicker Staff Writers

PHOENIX (Ticker) - Super Bowl XLII does not kick off for another six days. But the underdog New York Giants already are behind the New England Patriots. The Giants arrived in the Phoenix area Monday at approximately 5:35 p.m. local time, nearly one hour behind schedule. The Patriots touched down Sunday afternoon and held a brief practice Monday afternoon. But Giants coach Tom Coughlin opted to leave for the desert a day later than the Patriots, choosing to complete a few preliminary tasks in New Jersey rather than Arizona. Better late than never, according to Coughlin, who claimed that the delayed flight did nothing to curb his team's excitement level. "Excited - the stewardess on the plane mentioned that a couple times, that the guys were excited, really looking forward to it," Coughlin said. "They were trying to capture the moment, if you will, and tried to continue to do that as we arrived." Many Giants players, first-timers to the Super Bowl, recorded the plane ride on hand-held video cameras. The flight also included a showing of the film, "Michael Clayton." Still, most of the players admitted they were restless during the cross-country trip. "Guys got restless because it's a five-hour flight," linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "It was a long flight. Once we landed, everybody brought out those cameras and were ready to go."

PRACTICE: The Patriots held their first practice of Super Bowl week Monday at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. Quarterback Tom Brady was a full participant in the workout after missing three practices last week with an injured right ankle. According to a pool report submitted by Dan Pompei, the only reporter allowed to watch the practice, Brady was included in all phases of the workout. Although he was limping slightly, the reigning league MVP even jogged the length of the Arizona State practice facility twice. "It's always nice to see Tom, whether it's in practice, in the locker room or walking the streets," Patriots linebacker Junior Seau said. "We have a lot of love for a lot of players in that locker room - and a lot of respect - so it was nice to see Tom and the rest of the boys." Brady was not available to the media Monday, and Patriots coach Bill Belichick was tight-lipped regarding the two-time Super Bowl MVP's status, revealing only that he practiced. "He was out there along with everybody else," Belichick said.
BIGGER, BETTER? If the Patriots win Sunday to complete a perfect season, it won't be the only record set in the Super Bowl. This year's game features the largest media contingent in the event's 42-year history. A record 4,786 credentials have been issued to the media for Sunday's matchup - undoubtedly helped by the inclusion of two of the country's biggest media markets. The number surpasses the record 4,516 credentials issued last season for Super Bowl XLI in South Florida. It includes U.S. and international media and is comprised of print, television, radio and internet outlets. "The media has a job to do and it is the connection between our football team, our fans and the people who have an interest in the game," Belichick said. "The media is the conduit of information from the team to the fans, and the fans are what drive the game."

REMATCH NO SURPRISE: Players and coaches alike for New England are not surprised to be gearing up for a rematch with the Giants. "We felt they were as good as any team we had played and they have gone on to play even better than that in the playoffs," Belichick said. "I clearly feel now they are the best team we have played all year." In the regular-season finale, the Giants bolted to a 28-16 lead early in the third quarter - the largest deficit faced by the Patriots this season. Locked in as the No. 5 seed in the NFC and with nothing to play for, the Giants came out in an attacking mode. On the second play from scrimmage in the game, Eli Manning hit Plaxico Burress with a 52-yard pass to set up New York's first touchdown just 4:01 into the game. "They started off, threw the deep ball and really set the tone for the game," Patriots safety Rodney Harrison said. Of course, Harrison said New England had a helping hand in how well the Giants played that night. "We actually played terrible. We have nowhere to go but up," he said.
BACK IN BLACK: An overwhelming majority of the Giants donned black-on-black suits for their arrival Monday. Pierce, Burress and defensive end Michael Strahan were among the more noticeable members of the "all-black club." "I think it was (Pierce's) idea," Burress said. "This is what our team is all about. It is about everybody being together all the time - not just when we are out on the football field." "I was wearing black anyway," Strahan added. "I don't know where everybody else got theirs from. They always follow my style anyway."
PAYING TRIBUTE: The Patriots are honoring the memory of the late Marquise Hill by keeping his locker intact through this season. Hill, a backup defensive tackle, drowned during a jet ski accident on Memorial Day weekend in New Orleans. "Anything we receive from sponsors ... or anything that gets sent to the team, we put it into his locker like he was there," defensive tackle Ty Warren said. "Everybody always pays homage when he walks by his locker." Hill, who played collegiately at Louisiana State, was with the Patriots for three seasons (2004-06)." "He was a young guy, 23 of 24 years old, and he was tragically lost," Harrison said. "So for me, and I think most of my teammates, we really honor him by just looking at his locker and working every day and appreciating things in this life."
LITTLE BIG MAN: When the Patriots overhauled their receiving corps in the offseason, the draft-day trade that netted Randy Moss was by far the most ballyhooed acquisition. Belichick also reeled in Donte' Stallworth, who was expected to provide a major impact, and Kelley Washington, who served as a backup in Cincinnati. Generating considerably less hype was the offseason trade with the Miami Dolphins for Wes Welker, who on paper figured to serve as a punt and kick returner and reserve wide receiver. Acquired for a second- and seventh-round draft picks, Welker has turned out to be among the steals of the season. The 5-9, 185-pounder tied for the NFL lead with 112 receptions and also ranked fifth in the league, averaging 10.0 on punt returns. "In playing against us, he killed us every time we played them," said Belichick of Welker. "The only way we could handle him was double cover him. In fact, in one game he even kicked off and kicked field goals against us and killed us there too. "I think that speaks to Wes' competitiveness, his versatility and his total skill set."

WEATHER: Partly cloudy with temperatures in the upper 50s.

Super Bowl XLII: Facts & Figures

Who: New York Giants (13-6) vs. New England Patriots (18-0)
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, Arizona Capacity: 65,000
When: Sunday, February 3 Kickoff: 3:18 p.m.
Visiting Team: NFC champion New York Giants
Home Team: AFC champion New England Patriots
Television: FOX - game announcers Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (color analyst), Pam Oliver and Chris Myers (sideline reporters).
Television Audience: Estimated one billion worldwide.
Radio Networks: Westwood One Radio Sports (English) - Marv Albert (play-by-play), Boomer Esiason (color analyst), John Dockery, Kevin Kiley and Jim Gray (sideline reporters); Univision Radio (Spanish).
Vince Lombardi Trophy: The Super Bowl Trophy presented to the winning team by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the game.
Player share: Winning team - $78,000 per player, Losing team - $40,000 per player

Super Bowl XLII - Preview

New York Giants (13-6) vs. New England Patriots (18-0)
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Sunday, February 3, 3:18 p.m.

Coaches' playoff records:
Tom Coughlin, NY Giants, 7-6
Bill Belichick, New England, 15-3

Last meeting:
December 29, 2007 at East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Tom Brady threw a pair of touchdowns to Randy Moss as the Patriots rallied from a 12-point deficit in the second half to complete a perfect regular season. Brady's 65-yard pass to Moss early in the fourth quarter was part of a run of 22 unanswered points by New England, which trailed, 28-16, in the third quarter - its largest deficit of the season. Eli Manning threw four touchdown passes and Domenik Hixon ran back a kickoff 74 yards for a TD for the Giants, who had nothing to play for and had already been locked in as the No. 5 seed in the NFC.

New York offense against New England defense --------------------------
Key Matchups:
RBs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw vs. NFL's 10th-ranked run defense QB Eli Manning vs. NFL's 6th-ranked pass defense WR Plaxico Burress vs. CB Asante Samuel C Shaun O'Hara vs. NT Vince Wilfork RT Kareem McKenzie vs. LB Mike Vrabel Manning has been a model of efficiency in the postseason, with four TD passes and zero turnovers. He has led a critical drive in each game - none more impressive than the momentum-changing touchdown the Giants scored in the final minute of the first half against the Dallas Cowboys. However, efficient might not cut it against the vaunted Patriots' attack. In the regular-season finale, Manning attacked New England from the outset, hitting Burress with a 52-yard pass on the second play from scrimmage. Similar tactics may be needed this time around, for the Giants cannot afford to play from behind against New England. The idea is to stay close or have the lead heading into the fourth quarter and then utilize the two-pronged attack of Jacobs and Bradshaw, who did not play in the first meeting. Watch out for rookie tight end Kevin Boss, who had four catches for 50 yards in the first matchup, although he had none in the second half.

New England offense against New York defense --------------------
Key Matchups:
QB Tom Brady vs. NFL's 11th-ranked pass defense RB Laurence Maroney vs. NFL's 4th-ranked run defense WR Randy Moss vs. CB Sam Madison WR Wes Welker vs. FS Gibril Wilson LT Matt Light vs. DE Osi Umenyiora New England's main objective will be to get Moss more involved in the offense. Coming off a regular season in which he set a league record with 23 scoring passes, Moss has just two catches in the postseason, but he singed the Giants with two TD catches, including a 65-yarder in the fourth quarter to put the Patriots ahead to stay. While Maroney rushed for two touchdowns in the first matchup, he was held to 46 yards by New York's defense - the only game under 100 yards for Maroney in his last five. Of course, part of that was a result of the Patriots playing from behind, which necessitated that Brady throw for 356 yards. The Giants had no answer for Welker, who hauled in 11 receptions, or reserve running back Kevin Faulk, who added eight more. Faulk also is coming off an eight-catch performance in the AFC championship game. The Giants need to get more pressure on Brady this time around. They had just one sack in the regular-season finale despite the Patriots QB attempting 42 passes.


Three keys to the game ----------------------
1) Better than perfect: While Manning's play has been exemplary, he threw for just 185 and 163 yards, respectively, in New York's first two postseason victories. The latter was enough to beat the potent Dallas Cowboys, but likely will not suffice against the Patriots.

2) Bombs away: Moss has been invisible in the postseason, serving mainly as a decoy. The Giants also kept him under wraps fairly well until the fourth quarter of the regular-season finale, when Moss broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown that had a deflating effect on the Giants.

3) Just for kicks: Neither place kicker has a ton of playoff experience. While the Giants' Lawrence Tynes hit the game-winning 47-yarder in OT in the NFC title game, he also had two pivotal misses and failed to connect on a chip shot in the playoffs last season with Kansas City. The Patriots' Stephen Gostkowski was 8-of-8 in the playoffs as a rookie, but is just 1-of-2 this postseason.

Super Bowl XLII - Players With Super Bowl Rings

New England Patriots --------------------
Coach Bill Belichick, 2001, 2003, 2004 (Patriots); 1986, 1990 (NY Giants)
LB - Eric Alexander, 2004
QB - Tom Brady, 2001, 2003, 2004
WR - Troy Brown, 2001, 2003, 2004
LB - Tedy Bruschi, 2001, 2003, 2004
LB - Rosevelt Colvin, 2003, 2004
RB - Kevin Faulk, 2001, 2003, 2004
CB - Randall Gay, 2004
DE - Jarvis Green, 2003, 2004
SS - Rodney Harrison, 2003, 2004
OG - Russ Hochstein, 2003, 2004
LB - Larry Izzo, 2001, 2003, 2004
C - Dan Koppen, 2003, 2004
OT - Matt Light, 2001, 2003, 2004
OG - Stephen Neal, 2001, 2003, 2004
C - Lonie Paxton, 2001, 2003, 2004
CB - Asante Samuel, 2003, 2004
DT - Richard Seymour, 2001, 2003, 2004
LB - Adalius Thomas, 2000 (Baltimore Ravens)
LB - Mike Vrabel, 2001, 2003, 2004
DT - Ty Warren, 2003, 2004
TE - Ben Watson, 2004
DT - Vince Wilford, 2004
FS - Eugene Wilson, 2003, 2004
OG - Billy Yates, 2004

New York Giants ---------------
Coach Tom Coughlin, 1990
OG - Grey Ruegamer, 2001 (Patriots)
TE - Jerome Collins, 2006 (Indianapolis Colts)

Super Bowl XLII: Brady Discusses Injury

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - Quarterback Tom Brady and his injured ankle made an appearance on Sunday night as the team landed in the Grand Canyon State in preparation for their Super Bowl XLII matchup against the New York Giants.

Perhaps that's not ground-breaking news, but the fact that Brady actually addressed a reporter's question in regard to his mild ankle sprain may very well be. "How's the ankle?" Brady said, repeating a question. "What did Coach say?" What coach Bill Belichick said to the reporter was to ask Brady ... so he did, to the mild surprise of the quarterback himself. "God, that's different," Brady said. "It's feeling good. I'll be ready to go. I think we need three great days of practice, which I hope to be participating in. I hope. It's a couple of days away. But I'm feeling better."

The NFL MVP also confirmed that he believes he suffered the injury during the third quarter of the Patriots' 21-12 victory over the San Diego Chargers in last week's AFC title game. Hours earlier while attending the team's sendoff in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Brady opted not to address the injury, electing rather to quarterback the cheers of the Patriots' faithful.

Patrots, Giants Headed to the Super Bowl

By PA SportsTicker

One game stands between the New England Patriots and their season-long pursuit of perfection. Appropriately, it will come in a game in which they've been perfect this decade. The Patriots earned their fourth trip to the Super Bowl in seven seasons with a 21-12 victory over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Sparked by the power running of Laurence Maroney, New England became the first team in league history to go 18-0 in one season. The Patriots will attempt to match the feat of the 1972 Dolphins, who finished 17-0 and registered the only perfect season in league history by winning Super Bowl VII. The regular season consisted of 14 games at that time. "I think you enter the season and you're hoping to put together a bunch of great wins, and you realize there's challenges every step of the way," quarterback Tom Brady said. "And to not have a letdown like most teams have - we had a few letdowns or times where we didn't play our best, but we overcame them. (Being) 18-0 is a great feeling."

New England will take on the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII on February 3 in Glendale, Arizona. The fifth-seeded Giants (13-6) capped their surprising run through the NFC playoffs, derailing the Green Bay Packers, 23-20, on Lawrence Tynes' 47-yard field goal with 12:25 left in overtime.

The Super Bowl will be a rematch of Week 17, when the Patriots rallied from a 12-point, second-half deficit to edge the Giants, 38-35, and complete an undefeated regular season. Maroney rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown for the second consecutive week as the Patriots won their 11th straight postseason home game while snapping the Chargers' eight-game winning streak. "We come into the game and try to be balanced," Maroney said. "Hopefully, the pass works. If the pass doesn't work, hopefully the run works. I really didn't know what to expect in terms of carries. I just knew that whenever they called my name, I'd be ready."

Despite a shaky performance by league Most Valuable Player Brady, the Patriots made enough big plays to turn back the hobbled Chargers, who played almost the entire game without 2006 MVP LaDainian Tomlinson. Despite his absence, San Diego moved inside New England's 10-yard line on three occasions but came away with just a field goal each time. Brady, who set a league record with 50 touchdowns in the regular season, finished 22-of-33 for 209 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. It was the first time he was picked off three times since the Chargers did it in a playoff loss to the Patriots last season. "It's a difficult defense to play against. I think they challenge you in a lot of ways," Brady said. "But at the same time, I thought we made enough plays to win and I thought the defense played outstanding."

Two of Brady's interceptions came in the third quarter, including one by Antonio Cromartie in the end zone with three minutes left. That was when New England decided to keep the ball in the hands of Maroney, who turned in his fourth 100-yard game in his last five contests. Maroney had three rushes for 32 yards and one reception for nine yards on the Patriots' final scoring drive, setting up Brady's 6-yard TD pass to Wes Welker that pushed the lead to 21-12 with just over 12 minutes to play.

With the victory, New England tied the record for most wins in one season, matching the marks set by the San Francisco 49ers (18-1 in 1984) and Chicago Bears (18-1 in 1985), who both won Super Bowls. The Patriots will be looking to duplicate their Super Bowl victories at the end of the 2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons, which would give the franchise the most in that span since the Pittsburgh Steelers won four in a six-year stretch in the 1970s.

They will have to do it at the expense of the Giants, who showed their mettle by withstanding sub-zero temperatures at Lambeau Field to win their 10 consecutive road game - an NFL single-season record. "Our team has the heart, there's no question about it. These guys are something," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "They play hard, they never say die and they found the way to win." Tynes atoned for two misses in the final 6:49 of regulation, including a 36-yard attempt as time ran out to send the game into overtime. Cornerback Corey Webster set up the winning kick, intercepting Brett Favre on the second play from scrimmage in overtime.

Eli Manning continued his late-season resurgence, completing 21-of-40 passes for 254 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions to send New York to the Super Bowl for the first time in seven years. With the win, the Giants avenged a 35-13 loss to the Packers in Week Two. In the postseason, Manning has not throw an interception in victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys and Packers. "We're here. I think we're deserving of it," Manning said. "We're excited to be here. I'm very excited. I might be a hard guy to read sometimes, but right now, I'm excited as I can be." Plaxico Burress had a monster game for New York, hauling in 11 passes for 154 yards.

The Giants also got solid production from the running tandem of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, who combined to rush for 130 yards on 37 carries. Favre, who was denied a third trip to the Super Bowl, finished 19-of-35 for 236 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.