Support Players Important to Patriots' Perfection Pursuit

January 31, 2008 - PHOENIX -- Signed as an unrestricted free agent on March 13, 2007, and projected as one of the players who might upgrade the New England Patriots passing attack, wide receiver Kelley Washington didn't catch a single pass in 14 regular-season appearances... (read more)

Super Bowl: Number Crunching

January 31, 2008 - A month ago, the New York Giants looked as though they were limping to the finish line. Now they've made it all the way to Super Bowl XLII... (read more)

Is Brady Best Ever? Not Yet, but Time is on His Side

January 30, 2008 - Tom Brady's charge up the list of all-time great NFL quarterbacks will only accelerate if his New England Patriots prevail in Super Bowl XLII... (read more)

Arms of Greatness: Ranking the Best QBs by Each Decade

January 30, 2008 - It's not hard to make a list of the best quarterbacks ever. The difficulty lies in deciding how they rank within a particular decade. Not only must you determine exactly when players were at their best, you also have to weigh what means more: How they performed during an entire decade … or how well they played during a certain number of years within that time period? ... (read more)

Digit Dominance: Ranking the Best QBs by Jersey Numbers

January 29, 2008 - The assignment: Rank the best quarterbacks by jersey number. The problem: Some jersey numbers haven't exactly been worn by Hall of Fame-caliber quarterbacks (we're looking at you, No. 6. And you, too, No. 2) while other numbers offer an embarrassment of riches (check out No. 12)... (read more)

Pour on the Pressure, But 'You're Not Going to Get to Eli'

January 30, 2008 - GLENDALE, Ariz.-- The text message was sent to Eli Manning before the NFC wild-card game at Tampa Bay, before the divisional playoff game at Dallas, before the NFC Championship Game at Green Bay... (read more)

Giants, Others Proving Youth Rules

January 30, 2008 - In the NFL, age is a strange thing. Older isn't necessarily better.

After back-to-back trips to the wild-card playoffs under Tom Coughlin in 2005 and 2006, Father Time rang some alarms inside the New York Giants' biological clock. The team finished the '06 season with a 9-7 record and the 23rd-oldest roster in the league (average age of 27.08). After that campaign, halfback Tiki Barber and backup tackle Bob Whitfield retired. Left tackle Luke Petitgout was banged up and destined for the waiver wire... (read more)

Three Years After a Stroke, Bruschi's Back For His Fifth Super Bowl

January 29, 2008 - PHOENIX -- Nearly three years after Tedy Bruschi's brush with death, his locker stall overflows with fan mail. Consider the passion with which the New England Patriots defensive captain performs, and it's easy to forget he suffered a stroke in February 2005... (read more)

To Understand Belichick, Look What He Did With Browns

January 27, 2008 - PHOENIX -- For the fourth time in seven years, Baltimore Ravens head coach Bill Belichick triumphantly raised the sterling silver Lombardi Trophy over his head and declared his franchise the equal or better of the great dynasties -- Ming, Packer, Steeler, Cowboy or Niner... (read more)

World's Most Recession-Proof Economy? The Super Bowl

January 28, 2008 - The Dow Jones industrial average has dropped 8 percent since the start of the year. The government just reported that the U.S. median home price dropped 10 percent last year. The economy is fading faster than the Dallas Cowboys... (read more)

Learning From History Could Help the Giants Make History

January 26, 2008 - OK, Giants, listen up. We here at Upsetters Inc. want to bring your goals to reality. And we know what you want on Super Sunday: To follow the 1990 Giants, 1997 Broncos and 2001 Patriots as underdogs-turned-champs. Well, lucky for you, we've already got a Dos and Don'ts blueprint to victory... (read more)

Among the Surprises, the Lack of Patriots' Designed Big Plays

January 25, 2008 - ESPN.com's resident expert and "Monday Night Football" analyst Ron Jaworski went to the lab after the AFC and NFC championship games and studied film of the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. While in the lab, he documented three potential surprises and situations for each team that could dictate which holds the Lombardi Trophy at the end of Super Bowl XLII... (read more)

Searching For a Definition of Greatness

January 24, 2008 - Sometime during the final nine minutes of the AFC Championship Game -- after the Chargers had cowered and conceded and the Patriots had ascended to their fourth Super Bowl in the last seven seasons -- I figured I'd better get to work on the question everyone will be asking, nonstop, for the next 11 days... (read more)

Giants One of Worst Teams to Reach Super Bowl

January 24, 2008 - Can the New York Giants win Super Bowl XLII? Sure, they have a shot -- but if they win, it may be the biggest upset in Super Bowl history.

After all, the New England Patriots are the first NFL team to go 18-0 in a season, while the Giants are one of the two or three worst teams ever to reach the big game. And why is that? ... (read more)

Scouts Inc. Ranks All 106 Super Bowl XLII Players From Brady to Spann

January 24, 2008 - New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is this season's Most Valuable Player, so it stands to reason that he would top our rankings of the Super Bowl XLII participants. But what about the other 105 players who are expected to suit up Feb. 3 in Glendale, Ariz.? Who follows Brady? And who's No. 106? ... (read more)

Presence of Unbeaten Pats All But Guarantees Huge Viewership

January 24, 2008 - From some perspectives, Super Bowl XLII doesn't seem like must-see TV.

There's a yawning two-touchdown point spread between the favored New England Patriots and the New York Giants, suggesting a yawner of a game... (read more)

10 Reasons The Giants Welcome Road Signs

January 24, 2008 - The most amazing thing about the New York Giants' 10 consecutive road wins is that few people noticed that growing streak until the postseason. Maybe we were too busy fawning over the New England Patriots. It's also possible that any impressive accomplishment produced by an NFC team is automatically treated with skepticism. But we can't dismiss this feat any longer. The Giants have played so well on the road that we have to make some sense of their success... (read more)

Montana's Super Bowl Performance Reigns Supreme

January 22, 2008 - Through 41 Super Bowls, there have been 51 different starting quarterbacks. Among them are players who put up monster numbers and won regular-season MVP awards, and guys who still make us wonder how they ever started a Super Bowl... (read more)

Patriots' Eason Bottoms Out With an O-fer

January 22, 2008 - Through 41 Super Bowls, there have been 51 different starting quarterbacks. Among them are players who put up monster numbers and won regular-season MVP awards, and guys who still make us wonder how they ever started a Super Bowl... (read more)

AccuScore Numbers Game: Pats Will Find a Way

January 22, 2008 - Based on 10,000 simulations, the chances of the Giants winning the Super Bowl are not great -- just 25 percent. The average simulation shows a score of New England 31, New York 21. These baseline simulations clearly favor the Patriots, but there are a number of things that could make this game a nail-biter... (read more)

First Look: Giants-Patriots Super Bowl

January 21, 2008 - The New York Giants seem to be unbeatable on the road. The New England Patriots are unbeatable … period. Despite your likely disappointment at not having a Favre-Brady duel, the Super Bowl XLII matchup definitely will be intriguing on many levels. Here are five early questions sure to be discussed in the next two weeks: ... (read more)

Is XLII Best-Ever Super Bowl?

Riding through Tempe in the cramped backseat of a bright yellow Mustang coupe last Saturday night, on the eve of what would turn out to be a truly memorable Super Bowl, I started talking about the classic game played a decade earlier a few hundred miles to the west... (read more)

10-Pack: Brady Doesn't Come up Big

January 21, 2008

1. Brady doesn't come up big

Those three Super Bowl rings cause many league observers to presume Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is the best postseason quarterback of all time. Though he's in the discussion, he entered the 2007 playoffs with only the seventh-highest passer rating in the postseason, based on all quarterbacks with at least 150 attempts. He trails guys such as Jake Delhomme, Ken Anderson and Joe Theismann. And Brady was only fifth among all active quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts, behind signal-callers such as Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger... (read more)

Five Giants-Sized Story Lines For The Super Bowl

January 21, 2008 - GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Now that wasn't easy -- and something tells me, the Giants are starting to like it that way.

On first glance, if you had seen Giants coach Tom Coughlin in the postgame press conference with his face all red, you might have thought he was angry about something, perhaps his team losing. But quickly remember he had faced a negative temperature for nearly four hours -- and that his team had beat the favored Packers in the NFC championship game in overtime. Here, in late January, Coughlin had become that jolly old man with the rosy disposition we associate with Christmas... (read more)

How Mr. Manning & His Giants MI Force Can Foil Pats

January 21, 2008 - Good morning, Mr. Manning. Your mission, and you have decided to accept it, is to beat the Patriots. So far, this has been the NFL's mission impossible. It has been accepted 18 times. Eighteen times, it has failed... (read more)

Super Bowl Matchup: Patriots-Giants

January 21, 2008

WHEN NEW ENGLAND HAS THE BALL

THE QUARTERBACK

Giants cornerbacks have improved greatly in the postseason, but their safeties are still suspect. QB Tom Brady will look to WRs Randy Moss and Donte' Stallworth on deep posts to challenge the safeties. Because of their speed and playmaking ability, Moss and Stallworth are dangerous on the perimeter -- especially if Brady can establish the short passing game and get the safeties pinching in toward the middle. Moss and Stallworth will run a lot of deep fades, with Brady throwing to their outside shoulders,away from defenders... (read more)

Redskins, Bills, Pats Provided Key Moments for Giants in '07

January 23, 2008 - EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- A loss in the final game of the regular season turned into a win, win, win situation for the New York Giants.

In making the New England Patriots work hard for a 38-35 win on Dec. 29 that capped a perfect regular season, the Giants proved to themselves they could compete with anybody... (read more)

The List: No Patsies Among Top 10 Super Bowl Champs

January 23, 2008 - The perfect 1972 Dolphins were led by six future Hall of Famers and a Hall of Fame coach, Don Shula. The pathetic 2007 Dolphins, led by one-and-done coach Cam Cameron, lost an NFL record-tying 15 games. And yet if the 2007 team were transported back in time to play the 1972 team, the mod squad probably would win by a score along the lines of, oh, 49-0... (read more)

Giants vs. Patriots: the Key Matchups

January 26, 2008 - Matchups for the Super Bowl between the New York Giants and New England Patriots on Feb. 3 at the University of Phoenix Stadium:

@Tab0:When the Giants have the ball

Having scored 35 points in their season-finale loss to New England, the Giants know they can move the ball on the Patriots. Moving the ball is not enough, though. Nor is kicking field goals. New York must reach the end zone several times, while also trying to use up the clock... (read more)

Who Has Better WRs? Pats Answer Plax

January 26, 2008 - FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Plaxico Burress has made some amazing catches. And this amazing statement:

His Giants may have better receivers than the Patriots' very deep group of Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte' Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney... (read more)

Patriots The Best Ever? It's a No-Brainer

January 26, 2008 - The 2007 Patriots still haven't completed their perfect run, but for the past week, people have been trying to determine their place among the greatest teams in NFL history -- provided they win Super Bowl 42, of course. Although many others have chimed in already, I have that ringing in my ear that gets my typing fingers tingling and typing. I don't even see a debate: Logic quickly tells me they are the best NFL team ever. And the reasons are simple, really... (read more)

Three Reasons the Patriots Will Crush the Giants

January 26, 2008 - Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan and their defensive linemates looked like the Fearsome Foursome in the Week 17 meeting between New York and Boston -- err New England. Giants defenders spent more time in the Patriots' backfield than Laurence Maroney... (read more)

What Happened to All the Lopsided Pats Wins?

January 29, 2008 - PHOENIX (AP) -- Routed. Romped. Annihilated.

Common descriptions for the way the New England Patriots handled the first half of their 2007 schedule... (read more)

Book For Patriots' 19-0 Season Being Pre-sold

January 29, 2008 - PHOENIX (AP) -- Talk about confidence!

The Boston Globe has offered preorders of a book entitled "19-0: The Historic Championship Season of New England's Unbeatable Patriots." ... (read more)

Super Bowl Primer: Manning Doesn't Need To Be The Hero

January 29, 2008 - MATCHUP OF THE DAY

Tom Brady vs. Eli Manning. The first thing everyone wanted to know as soon as I got here, is "How is Tom Brady?" Well, according to the AFC pool report from former SN colleague Dan Pompei, Brady practiced fully on Monday with his right ankle heavily taped, although there was a sight of a minor limp... (read more)

Super Bowl Primer: Giants' Hopes Rest on Running Game

January 30, 2008 - MATCHUP OF THE DAY

Giants' running game vs. the Patriots' front seven. This is the most important matchup of the game for New York. Running effectively will do many wonders for the Giants. Obviously, it will allow them to control and move the ball. But a good running game also will make things easier for Eli Manning, and it will eat clock and keep the Patriots' potent offense off the field... (read more)

Notebook: If Giants Win Toss, They'll Take Ball

January 31, 2008 - PHOENIX (AP) -- The question was ridiculous, but New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin answered it anyway. Because teams that win the coin toss have a losing record in Super Bowls, would he consider kicking off if the Giants win the toss? ... (read more)

Can Eli Take the Biggest Step as He Follows Peyton?

January 31, 2008 - CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Bill Belichick just can't keep those Manning boys out of his hair.

For years, Belichick has matched strategy and wits with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who one-upped the Patriots coach last year in the AFC championship game and then led Indianapolis to a victory over Chicago in the Super Bowl. Now comes sibling Eli, the quarterback of the Giants, who will try to end New England's bid for a perfect season in Super Bowl 42 Sunday... (read more)

Despite Dour Image, Patriots Coach Belichick Rocks & Even Jokes

February 1, 2008 - PHOENIX (AP) -- With his mumbled, one-word answers and stern demeanor, Bill Belichick often seems as gray as the hooded sweatshirt he wears on the sideline, as prickly as the cactuses seen everywhere at the site of this year's Super Bowl... (read more)

Super Bowl Primer: Chalk Up Another Ring for Patriots

February 1, 2008 - MATCHUP OF THE DAY

New York Giants at New England Patriots. So far during the week, we've broken down the quarterbacks, coaches, the Giants' running game, the Patriots' run defense and the teams' No. 2 wide receivers... (read more)

A Game For the Ages -- Giants Pull Off Momentous Upset

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Let's cap things off with a feel-good story: Ever wonder what happens to all those shirts and caps that are printed up in advance of the Super Bowl, but turn out to be worthless because they tout the losing team? ... (read more)

Newberry: Super Bowl Blog

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Next time I'll listen to Plaxico Burress.

Just before kickoff, one might recall, I went out on a limb and picked the unbeaten New England Patriots to finish off their perfect season with a 34-20 win. What was I thinking? ... (read more)

The Top Ten Sports Upsets of the Last 20 Years

It’s difficult to truly comprehend the impact of a great sports upset through a historical lens. To really feel an upset’s magnitude, you have to go into a fight or match or game as a fan and feel that you wouldn’t lay a sawbuck down on the underdog even if the odds were 200 to 1, and not because you’re not a gambling man but because you just see no reason to waste a perfectly good sawbuck... (read more)

Defense Will Make the Giants Champions

January 23, 2008 - On the final weekend of December, with an undefeated regular season on the line, New England came from behind in the fourth quarter to beat the Giants, 38-35. But don't let the Patriots' perfect season blind you to the fact it was a hard-fought, tightly contested game featuring two evenly matched teams... (read more)

'07 Patriots: Lights, Camera, Busted

The Patriots' bid for immortality ended because of a fluke, lucky, couldn't-do-it-again-if-you-tried play. David Tyree somehow held on to Eli Manning's desperation heave after pressing the ball against his helmet while in midair. The fourth-quarter catch heralded the end of the Patriots' dynasty, crushed their perfect season and made a Super Bowl MVP out of Manning. Worst of all, it returned the 1972 Dolphins to their throne... (read more)

SN's Final Power Poll: Giants Come Out On Top

Coming out of Super Bowl 42, here's Sporting News' final power poll... (read more)

A Giant Upset is Exciting, But Hard to Repeat

On January 7, 2007, Jerry Reese sat in the press box at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field and watched the Giants lose on a field goal as time expired in a wild-card playoff game against the Eagles. Despite the outcome, Reese, then the Giants' director of player personnel, was encouraged... (read more)

A Dozen Reasons For an Extra Super Sunday

February 3, 2008 - PHOENIX -- After seeing the hype slowly build for Super Bowl 42 since my arrival on Monday, it seems things have reached a bit of a lull before the New England Patriots and New York Giants finally kick things off in an actual football game Sunday... (read more)

Confident Giants win in true Pats fashion

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- After catching the winning touchdown pass from Eli Manning in the New York Giants' 17-14 comeback Super Bowl 42 victory over the New England Patriots and having his bold upset prediction come true, wide receiver Plaxico Burress talked about how it was a "big relief" when he came up with the ball in the end zone with 39 seconds left to play... (read more)

Pats Can Get Right Back to Being Super

PHOENIX -- It's appropriate that University of Phoenix Stadium, site of the formerly undefeated Patriots' 17-14 loss to the Giants in Super Bowl 42, looks like a Mylar balloon on its side. The touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress served as the ultimate pin, deflating New England's hopes for a historic perfect season... (read more)

Florio's 10-pack: Things To Get You Up To Super Speed

January 27, 2008 - Next Sunday night, millions of people worldwide will watch Super Bowl 42. The presence of a team from the world's media capital and the first NFL franchise to win the first 18 games of a season guarantees that the audience will be larger than usual... (read more)

Has Spygate Tainted previous Patriots Titles?

February 1, 2008 - GLENDALE, Ariz. – The New England Patriots were caught videotaping the New York Jets' sideline – a violation of NFL rules – in the first half of the first quarter of the first game in this perfect season... (read more)

The Pats' Way is Belichick's Way

January 30, 2008 - GLENDALE, Ariz. – Bill Belichick stood at his podium at Media Day, forcing a pseudo-smile and doing his best to be boring... (read more)

Pats' Dream Season Ends with Nightmare

GLENDALE, Ariz. – In the end, the bathrobes were spoiled.

As the New England Patriots packed their bags in a silent fog Sunday night, countless mementos lay orphaned in every corner of the locker room. Most carried the emblems of Super Bowl XLII – sparkling programs, hats, T-shirts, and even pricey white bathrobes, rich with embroidery to commemorate this moment. But after having arguably the greatest season in sports history aborted against their will, those little Roman numerals represented little more than the searing end of a cattle prod... (read more)

Looming Offseason Questions of '08

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Randy Moss hopes to stay with the New England Patriots. So does Asante Samuel. But hoping for something and realizing it – well, do we really have to explain how far apart those two things are after seeing what happened in Super Bowl XLII? ... (read more)

Super Winners and Losers

One of the great upsets and great dramas in sports history produced more than just one winner – the New York Giants – and one loser – the New England Patriots... (read more)

Manning Has His Moment

GLENDALE, Ariz. – This was more than some great comeback, some moment borrowed from the books written by Joe Montana, John Elway or Johnny Unitas... (read more)

Giants Stand Up to Boston Bullies

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Antonio Pierce pounced off the podium, stepping on confetti as he practically skipped across the University of Phoenix Stadium grass... (read more)