Super Bowl XLVI: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 5, 6:30 pm, Lucas Oil Stadium (NBC) Why the Giants can win…
Why the Giants can win… They beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl four years ago, denying New England what would have been the first 19-0 season in NFL history. New York is on the same kind of roll now, having beaten the fifth-seeded Falcons, the top-seeded Packers and the second-seeded 49ers in the NFC playoffs after going a modest 9-7 during the regular season. They’ve won five straight games since they fell to 7-7 with their second loss of the season to the Redskins. QB Eli Manningseeks his second Super Bowl triumph. He had two 1,000-yard receivers during the regular season in Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, and he’s had much more help lately from his running game and defense. Just as he did four years ago, K Lawrence Tynes put the Giants in the Super Bowl with an OT field goal in the NFC title game. The Giants beat the Patriots during the regular season, 24-20, at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 6. Manning threw the game-winning TD pass to TE Jake Ballard with 15 seconds left in that game.