Now that the Football Church of Tim Tebow is closed until later this fall and the Packers found the perfect time to forget how to run routes, the Final Four has been revealed for the NFL Playoffs. What we have left is the feisty Baltimore Ravens, the no-longer-cursed New England Patriots, the unexplainable San Francisco 49ers, and lastly the suddenly-decent-after-looking-like-crap-for-several-months New York Giants. It has been an interesting playoff season, as we have had upsets and surprises left and right. If there’s one thing that is certain though is what Super Bowl matchup we have to see by the end of this month: the New York Giants vs. the New England Patriots.
Seriously, Giants/Patriots II must occur. It is the only way. This will be the Super Bowl for the ages. The ratings, the hype, and the anticipation will be at its all-time high. It will be the Patriots trying to avenge the Perfect Season that Never Was, while we have the G-Men trying to prove that their Super Bowl win all those years ago wasn’t a stupid fluke that to this day I still claim it is. Both sides have plenty to avenge, plenty to lose, and plenty to prove. Both quarterbacks are trying to eliminate the past, and both teams are trying to re-prove themselves to the league. This Super Bowl has to happen. Seriously.
Let’s talk about the Patriots first. After Spygate in early 2007, a little curse marked the team as they became the greatest team in the history of football to not win the championship. Some will argue the 1998 Minnesota Vikings, but let’s save that for another topic. The Patriots did not play their usual game, and the Giants took advantage. All of the strengths of the Patriots practically disappeared on that infamous night—although they still had their shot at winning the game if it had not been for some poor decisions, and a lucky catch. The Helmet Catch. We all know what I am talking about.
After said Super Bowl, the Patriots actually couldn’t win a single game in the playoffs until this past Sunday when they beat the Broncos. The shadow of that Super Bowl to this day hangs over the Patriots because not only was it the last time they were at the big dance, but it was the last time we really really feared Brady and company. Even to this day they are not taken seriously, as we had the audacity to point out that the hapless Broncos had a chance to win in Foxboro. The Pats should have finished the season perfect; it was supposed to be their year. And not only did they lose that Super Bowl, it was against the worst team ever to win it all.
The New York Giants were a terrible team (who loses to the Redskins at home?!?!?!?!) that through strokes of luck went in the playoffs that year. Here’s a fun tidbit about the 2007 Giants: “The New York Giants lost to the Dallas Cowboys (twice), Green Bay Packers, and New England Patriots in the regular season but defeated them all in the post-season.” Does this mean the Giants got better as the year rolled on? No, it meant that the Giants faced teams that dropped the ball in every single playoff game. While we expect the Cowboys to always falter, the Giants went past the Bucs that slipped at the wrong moment, and even were able to enter Lambeau Field at 0 degrees and upset the Brett Farve Packers.
As you can tell, I remain unconvinced that the Giants deserved that Super Bowl ring, even if they were the last team standing. But I am not alone on that sentiment, as when we mention champs of the recent past we seem to overpass that Giants squad. It’s always mentioned that the Patriots lost that game as opposed to the Giants winning it. I don’t believe in Eli Manning, as he is a mediocre quarterback that has incredible receivers that make him look good. I don’t believe in that team, which have the luck of an old leprechaun and are always in an easier league of competition. Honestly, do you prefer playing the Packers, Cowboys and Falcons in the regular season? Or would you prefer facing the Patriots, Ravens, and Steelers? Yea, the Giants got it made, just like the Texas Rangers and the ridiculously easy division they get to play in when compared to the evil, cynical AL East. Bitter, party of one. Moving on.
And now we’ve come to the Final Four of this season. Can you imagine if the Patriots and Giants run into each other again? Can you imagine all the hatred, all the angst, all the chaos that is going to follow? This is the Patriots’ chance to totally obliterate the bitter taste of that infamous season. This would be their chance to have their payback against the team that has had their unjustified number ever since 2007. As for the Giants, this would be their “Tebow Time,” their opportunity to defy the odds, and once again prove the haters wrong. The G-Men can prove that their win back then was not a fluke, but just a consistent technique of winning it all—sucking at first, building momentum towards the end, and blind siding the competitors in the playoffs.
Brady/Evil Manning II would answer all the questions that have remained buzzing since that absolutely crazy night that actually threw Las Vegas in the negative (true story). Did the Patriots just choke at the absolute worst time? Or do the Giants have the secret magic needed to beat Tom Brady and company? Are the Giants of 2007 the team that got very lucky? Or are the Giants a franchise that every few years defy the odds and go the distance? Is Eli Manning a fluke quarterback? Or will this second win enable him to be uttered amongst the greats like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees? This game will finally put the final, true nail on the coffin of that night.
Yes, of course the Ravens and 49ers actually have to lose first, so all of this is premature speculation. That being said, wouldn’t you love a chance to see these two teams turn back the clock and reawaken old demons? I personally would love to see them square off once again. It could become the hottest rivalry in football, and they are in different conferences. And this is coming from a guy that was absolutely dreading a rematch between Alabama and LSU. That was boring, but Giants/Patriots II? Excitement to the max.
Super Bowl XLV: The Rematch.
I can see it now.
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