Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Anne Rigor

The New York Giants came away with their last win of the season in Green Bay more than a week ago. They won't get another one.

When their plane touched down in Arizona, the site of Super Bowl XLII, earlier this week, it may have been their last touchdown of the season as well.

The Patriots are 12-point favorites to win over the G-men on Sunday, but that's not the only reason the 18-0 Patriots will take home the Lombardi Trophy.

The Patriots are arguably the best team in NFL history, armed with perhaps the best coach, quarterback and receiver in NFL history.

Quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Randy Moss broke single season touchdown records for their positions on the same play in week 17 against none other than the New York Giants. New England won that game in comeback fashion 38-35 to cap off its perfect regular season.

The Patriots hold a substantial advantage on offense over the Giants. Moss led the league in touchdown receptions with 23, and his counterpart Wes Welker led the league in receptions with 112. Both Moss and Welker each totaled more receptions and yards than the Giants leading receiver Plaxico Burress.

Yes, the Giants gained 2,148 yards running the ball to the Patriots 1,849 yards rushing. The Giants rushers, however, lost nine more fumbles than the Patriots ball carriers, and New England scored two more rushing touchdowns.

So it's obvious that the Patriots hold the better offense, but what about that Giants defense that led the league in sacks? It will be a tough battle for the Patriots offensive line. Good thing they have three pro bowlers protecting Brady.

You can definitely argue that the Giants have the best pass rush in the NFL, and that's a very important part of any team. The Patriots ranked second in the league with 47 sacks, not far behind the Giants' 53.

Where the Patriots make up ground on defense is in the turnover margin. New England had four more interceptions than the G-men and four more forced fumbles.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw 20 interceptions for the season to Brady's eight. If you turn the ball over, the game becomes that much harder.

The Giants allowed more points per game than the Patriots, which is important because the Giants will have to try to defend the highest scoring offense in league history. The defensive edge goes to the Patriots.

New England holds the better special teams, too. They had a higher per-return average in both punts and kick returns. The Patriots also scored one more touchdown on special teams than the Giants.

Do I even have to mention which team has the better coaching staff?

Patriots coach Bill Belichick holds a 15-3 postseason record to go along with a 3-0 Super Bowl Record. Giants coach Tom Coughlin is 7-6 coaching in the playoffs and has yet to coach a Super Bowl.

So, the Patriots have the better coach to go along with the better offense, defense and special teams. They also have more talented players who happen to be healthy.

But the Giants are hot. They've won three straight.

So have the Patriots. In fact, they've won 18 straight, and come Sunday, it will be 19.

Patriots 42, Giants 28

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