One of the best situations in sports is a rematch: a chance for a team to redeem themselves for a loss they faced before. In this year’s Super Bowl, the New England Patriots have a chance at this redemption. Their defeat came four years earlier when the New York Giants upset them in Super Bowl XLII, ending New England’s perfect season. Now the Giants and Patriots meet again in Super Bowl XLVI. How fitting.
The Giants have had a roller coaster season, winning 6 out of the first 8 games, then losing 5 out of the next 6 and finally finishing the regular season with a record of 9-7. The Giants made the playoffs for the first time since 2008, and marched through the playoffs crushing the Falcons 24-2 in the wild card round, and upsetting the number one, Packers in the divisional round. Then in the NFC Championship game the Giants were victorious in an overtime thriller against the 49ers.
The Patriots had an excellent season, finishing it off with a 13-3 record. However the last loss they had this season was to the Giants. The playoffs were quick for the Patriots because they earned a bye in the first round. Their first game of the post season was the Denver Broncos in the divisional round. Tom Brady and the Patriots ended “Tebow-mania” crushing the Broncos 45-10. In the AFC championship the Pats and Baltimore Ravens went back and forth in a gridiron battle. Ending with a missed field goal attempt by Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff, sending New England to the Super Bowl for the 5th time in 10 years.
These two teams took different roads to the Super Bowl, but they are both on football’s biggest stage. Brady will have to step up after his performance in the AFC championship, and the Patriots defense will have to stop Eli Manning, who has been on fire in the post season. It will be a good game till the end, hopefully the Pats come out victorious.