Super Bowl XLVI: Patriots vs. Giants

The sporting world is finally waiting. The rematch of Super Bowl XLII is upon us. Both the New York Giants and New England Patriots are seeking for their fourth Super Bowl title, where only the Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers have accomplished this feat before. But more than just seeking the Vince Lombardi trophy, it's all about bragging rights in two of sports' biggest hotspots, Boston and New York City, where it was all rooted from the battles between baseball's Red Sox and Yankees.

Tom Brady and Eli Manning after their
regular season meeting last November 6, 2011
at Gillette Stadium,where the
Giants won 24-20. 

Coach Tom Coughlin will rely on experience, with 15 players retained from the Super Bowl XLII championship team, including quarterback Eli Manning. The Giants' resiliency will once again be tested, after overcoming the Falcons, the Packers and the 49ers in the playoffs. Offensively, Coughlin will have Manning, wide receivers Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks, and running backs Ahmad Bradshaw, DJ Ware and Brandon Jacobs. The defense will be anchored by linemen Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, and defensive backs Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant. And there's always Lawrence Tynes for fourth down or point after situations. 

Three Super Bowl rings for Tom Brady and Bill Belichick were a stuff of legend, but they head into Super Bowl XLVI seeking retribution for lost opportunity in Super Bowl XLII. Only eight remain from the 2007 squad. The Patriots were known for their dominating offense led by Brady, and they used that again to win 13 games and beat the Broncos and the Ravens in the playoffs. That offense was led by Brady, tight ends David Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski (provided he plays tomorrow), running backs BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Kevin Faulk, and wide receivers Wes Welker, Deion Branch and Julian Edelman. The Patriots hope their defense, anchored by linemen Vince Wilfork and Shaun Ellis, and defensive backs Rob Ninkovich and Jerod Mayo, will hold up against the Giants. That defense was ranked 31st in the NFL, so if the Giants blew this game open, it'll mean trouble. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski will be relied on in late game plays, fourth down field goals, and point after conversions. 

Super Bowl XLVI will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where Eli's older brother Peyton of the Colts called it home. Like every Super Bowl, there will be pre-game and half-time performances, with Kelly Clarkson singing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' before the game and Madonna performing at the half. Las Vegas casinos are betting the Patriots to win by 3 1/2, but then again, let's hope their money's all worth it.

The game will be this Sunday evening, 6:30 ET on NBC.

The Story of the New England Patriots

Fans of the New England Patriots have witnessed the resurrection of the franchise which had long been a laughingstock in relation to its championship-winning relatives in baseball (Red Sox), ice hockey (Bruins) and basketball (Celtics), thanks largely to the quarterback-coach tandem of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. But before the both of them, some loyal, old school Patriots fans would still remember the growing pains that the team had to endure before ushering in a championship attitude in New England. 

The third 'Pat Patriot' logo
from 1971-1992.

The Pat Patriot Era (1960-1992)

Pat Patriot was the Patriots' first logo, used for a majority of their early history, and remains with the team today as its mascot. Originally the Boston Patriots, they first played their home games in various venues in the Boston area, including the Red Sox's Fenway Park. Those early years were a struggle for the franchise, appearing only once and lost in the 1963 AFL championship. In 1971, they moved to the Foxboro Stadium and became the New England Patriots. 

Even after moving to Foxboro, they still struggled to win, appearing only twice in the playoffs during the 1970s and early 1980s. Their major breakthrough, however, would come during the 1985 season. 

Quarterback Tony Eason, 1986

Super Bowl XX

The Patriots made the Super Bowl for the first time in January 1986. They finished second in the AFC East with an 11-5 mark and defeated the New York Jets, Los Angeles Raiders and Miami Dolphins on their way to the Super Bowl. The Pats were quarterbacked by Tony Eason and coached by Raymond Berry. New England's other star that year was running back Craig James. Despite their success, they couldn't overcome the powerful Chicago Bears of Walter Payton, William 'The Refrigerator' Perry and Jim McMahon, losing 46-10 in one of the most lopsided Super Bowls ever. The city of Boston would later see the Celtics and Red Sox play in their respective championship series that year; the Celtics won the NBA Finals, while the Red Sox lost to the New York Mets in the World Series.

After another playoff appearance the next season, they would struggle for wins again over the next eight years, at one point finishing 1-15 in 1990. Ownership changes came and went, until in 1994, present owner Robert Kraft bought the team. 

The Original Elvis Era (1993-1999)

The 'Original Elvis' logo
from 1993 to 1999.

Before Kraft's purchase the Patriots changed logos from 'Pat Patriot' to an 'Elvis-like' interpretation of a Patriot in silver with blue hat, red feathers and a white star. Bill Parcells, who brought success to the New York Giants in winning two Super Bowls, was brought in as coach prior to the 1993 season, and Drew Bledsoe became the starting quarterback. Following Kraft's purchase, playoff appearances became almost a regular occurrence for the Patriots. Parcells led the team to two playoff appearances in 1994 and 1996, and in the latter, led them back to the Super Bowl.

Quarterback Drew Bledsoe,
1996

Super Bowl XXXI

Like in 1985, the Patriots finished 11-5, but this time they finished atop the AFC East and earned a first-round bye. Led by Drew Bledsoe and Ben Coates, the Patriots carried that momentum en route to the Super Bowl, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs. However, they couldn't overcome Brett Favre, Reggie White and the Green Bay Packers, losing the game 35-21 in New Orleans' Superdome. It was the only bright spot for the city of Boston throughout 1996-97, as the Bruins missed the playoffs for the first time since 1967, while the Celtics won only 15 games and the Red Sox missed the playoffs both times. 

After Pete Carroll led the team to another two playoff appearances, the seeds of a new era got underway when Bill Belichick was hired as its head coach in 2000, and an update of the 'Elvis' logo was unveiled.

The Modern Elvis Era (2000-present)

The 'Modern Elvis' logo
since the 2000 season.

We all know what happened since the Patriots made the blue darker and the uniform font more traditional, with silver added for good measure. The Tom Brady era got underway when, two games into the 2001 season, incumbent starting QB Drew Bledsoe suffered an injury against the New York Jets. Brady then stepped in and promptly led the Patriots to a similar record as their two previous Super Bowl-playing seasons (11-5). The Patriots went on to beat the Raiders (aka the 'Tuck Game') and the Steelers to advance to Super Bowl XXXVI.

Tom Brady with Bill Belichick, 2011

From Whipping Boys to Championship Contenders

The Patriots went on to beat the heavily-favored St. Louis Rams 20-17 thanks to kicker Adam Vinatieri's game-winning field goal. The Patriots' Super Bowl win was the first championship in the Boston area since the 1986 Celtics, and it started the city's decade of excellence, in which they would capture seven championships during that stretch, including an additional two Super Bowl wins for the Patriots in Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX, sandwiching the Red Sox's improbable curse-breaking 2004 World Series triumph. After that, the Patriots would appear in Super Bowl XLII in 2007 sporting a perfect record, but were denied by the New York Giants 17-14 on Plaxico Burress' game-winning touchdown. Had they won, the city would've celebrated a 'treble' after the Red Sox won the 2007 World Series, and the Celtics winning the 2008 NBA Finals. 

Today

The Patriots are making their return to the big stage at Super Bowl XLVI in 2011, again facing the Giants. With the Boston Bruins winning the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals the previous spring, Bostonians are bracing for yet another duck boat celebration. A win will definitely assure the legacies of both Brady and Belichick, and also provide a fitting gift for recently deceased Patriots matriarch Myra Kraft. For the Patriots, this will only add to their tried and tested story of overcoming the odds. As we say, "The story must go on....."

The Quarterback Wars

The NFL playoffs reach a boiling point, as the top two teams in the NFC and AFC will finally see action in the divisional playoffs. The focus of attention will be the quarterback wars, wherein three playoff-tested vets face off against three rising quarterbacks with something to prove, and, in the case of Texans and Ravens, two young QBs with a chance to enhance their reputations.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Eli Manning

Packers vs. Giants

Both have won Super Bowl rings and MVP honors, and have two Pro Bowl selections on their belt. Manning has started seven playoff games for the Giants, while Rodgers has started five. While Manning played more games than Rodgers, he has never been named to the All-Pro team, something that Rodgers had earned this year. Rodgers is also the league leader in passer rating, which makes him difficult to intercept or sack, and also led the league in TD passes. Manning also has the tendency to throw long passes; his favorite targets include Victor Cruz, DJ Ware and Brandon Jacobs, and is known for game-winning drives and comebacks. Their reputations may well be enhanced with a win.

Tom Brady vs. Tim Tebow

Patriots vs. Broncos

Tebowmania caught fire around the world in 2011, thanks to Tebow's comeback wins and a pose that has grown into a fad. In Tebow's playoff debut he did it again, leading the Broncos to a comeback win over the Steelers in the AFC wildcard playoffs. But in this matchup experience will be the key, as Brady, already three Super Bowl rings richer and two MVPs to boot, has shown a quiet but effective job of leading the Patriots to consistent wins. Plus he has logged a lot of playoff minutes, passing yards and touchdowns. It will take a miracle for Tebow to beat Brady and the AFC top seed Patriots in their divisional playoff series.

Joe Flacco vs. T.J. Yates

Ravens vs. Texans

Both are young quarterbacks with something to prove. Flacco has appeared in seven playoff games for the Ravens, while Yates, a late-bloomer due to injuries to Matt Leinart and Matt Schaub, has only one game logged. The Texans as a team have something to prove as well, that their playoff debuting victory over the Bengals is no fluke. But they face the Ravens who have been playoff regulars the last three years, and have a deeply experienced roster to boot. Flacco now has a chance to extend his own streak of winning a playoff game in each of his appearances, while Yates seek to lead the Texans to unchartered waters. 

Alex Smith vs. Drew Brees

49ers vs. Saints

Again this will be a matchup of experience against youth. Smith is making his playoff debut, while Brees has been a Super Bowl winner with the Saints. Both teams end up 13-3 at the end of the season, but the 49ers finished with a first-round bye based on the conference record. Smith had been a struggling QB prior to the hiring of Jim Harbaugh, but his ascension to an elite QB has helped the 49ers. But in the playoffs he may have a hard time leading the defense-focused 49ers to victory over the offensive attack of the Saints, with which they set numerous offensive records during the season. 

The divisional playoffs get underway this weekend, and the winners of each series advance to the conference championship games, where the winners will then advance to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis's Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5.