A Look Back: Patriots vs. Giants Round One

This is only the second time that two teams that met in the regular season finale will meet again in the Super Bowl. The first time was in 1977 when the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 14-6 in the finale, then 27-10 in the Super Bowl. What can we learn from looking back at the first time the New England Patriots and New York Giants met back in late December?

First off, everyone is well aware what was at stake. The Patriots were going for 16-0 and the NFL made the great decision to allow the game to air on both NBC and CBS instead of just the cable-deadlocked NFL Network. This game ended up being the most watched broadcast in U.S. television history with an estimated 107.3 million viewers. The Giants were up 28-16 in the third quarter but just couldn't get that one more score they needed to lock it up. The Pats responded with three straight touchdowns and held on for the 38-35 win.

Many complimented Tom Coughlin for playing his starters for the entire game and they rose to the occasion in a Super Bowl-like atmosphere. Now it's being said it was this game, with the Giants proving to themselves that they could hang with the undefeated Pats, that sparked the G-men's playoff run. Eli Manning had arguably his best game as a pro (until that time) throwing four TDs and and over 250 yards (and one costly interception when the Giants were down by 3 and driving with about 9 minutes left in the game).

The Giants were able to get decent pressure on Tom Brady, though they sacked him only once, they did get 8 QB Hits. This might've had to do with the fact that New England was missing starting RG Stephen Neal and starting RT Nick Kaczur as well as blocking monster TE Kyle Brady in the game. Brandon Jacobs, who many predicted would run all over the Pats had a good but not great day (just over 100 yard total offense, 1 TD). He had some good runs but ultimately did not do enough to put New York over the top. Plaxico Burress was New York's most dangerous player showing a preview of the dominance he's exerted in the playoffs with two TDs.

It was a fairly typical win for the 2007 Pats - mostly done with the passing game and the defense bending but not breaking completely (though this was the most points they gave up all season). Wes Welker and Randy Moss (2 Tds) both went over 100 yards. Laurence Maroney (2 Tds & a 2-point conversion) only had 46 yards rushing but had some key carries. The Patriots defense did not apply much pressure on Eli Manning, sacking him only once and getting only 2 QB hits. It almost seemed like once the Pats started clicking on all cylinders mid-way through the third quarter the Giants had to score or make a stop, and they couldn't do either.

Ultimately the Giants had the Patriots where they wanted them and could just not put them away. The Patriots did have some protection issues but were without three of their starting players that are their best blockers. Neither team was dominant on the ground, putting the game in the hands of the quarterbacks and in the end, Tom Brady made one less mistake than Eli Manning and that ended up being the game.

Based on how this game played out, what changes might Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin be looking to make? For the Pats, they must shut down Brandon Jacobs again, keep Plaxico Burress from making the big play and try to get more pressure on Eli Manning. If given the kind of time he had in the first game, this new mistake-free Eli will torch the Pats D and keep the G-men in the game. For the Giants they must find a way to shut down Moss and Welker while not letting Laurence Maroney run wild like he did last week against the San Diego Chargers. A special teams TD like they got in the first game would be a significant help in keeping up with the high-scoring Pats as well. Most important will be getting pressure on Tom Brady. The Giants have the D-linemen to do it and therein could lie to the key to the game.