Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Anne Rigor

From the looks of the upcoming Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday, the New York Giants can use all of the help they can get. A victory is almost a foregone conclusion for the New England Patriots when looking at the expected point spread, talent and every sports column written since the end of the AFC Championship game.

According to ESPN.com, the Giants are expected to lose by almost two touchdowns. Still, New York has a chance with enough breaks and plenty of luck to defeat New England.

The Patriots currently stand one win away from joining the 1972 Miami Dolphins in the pantheon of undefeated NFL teams, and former Dolphins head coach Don Shula has been using the media to try to will the Patriots to a loss, preserving the mystique of a now 35-year-old record.

There's a villain factor in this Super Bowl that has been missing in recent years.

Although no sports franchise from New York deserves support in its championship endeavors, this situation is different. It's hard to forget the spying scandal that engulfed the football world for several weeks in September, resulting in a hefty fine for Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and the loss of a 2008 first-round pick.

Still, the Giants have more going for them than just the support of millions of fans who hate the Patriots and the 1972 Dolphins.

First, New York played New England close in the final week of the season. The game was tight for its entirety, with the Giants leading entering the fourth quarter. It required the usual heroics from the usual cast of Patriots offensive stars to pull out a three-point victory, 38-35.

New York quarterback Eli Manning has played uncharacteristically well during the past four games, including three straight road-playoff wins against teams that won their respective divisions.

The other game, the final one of the regular season, was the close loss to the Patriots, when Manning completed 22 of 32 passes for 251 yards, four touchdowns and only one interception.

No one should overlook the Giants pass rush of Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan and Justin Tuck, who each notched nine or more sacks during the season and will all be healthy for the Super Bowl. New York's pass rush is formidable and could give Patriots quarterback Tom Brady fits.

The Giants are also a tremendous road team, with a record of 10-1 in road games this season, including the playoffs. New York's only loss was to the Dallas Cowboys in the first week of the season, a loss the Giants avenged in the playoffs.

For Super Bowl XLII, New York will be considered the road team, perhaps adding a psychological advantage while playing on a neutral field.

It's easy to root against the Patriots, not because fans adore the Giants any more than the average fan, but because it's just so easy to hate the Patriots more.

Join Don Shula and the rest of the 1972 Dolphins this Sunday and pull for the Giants.

Final score - 38-35, Giants

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