by Gary Sacco

Created on: February 05, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

The Patriots were poised to make NFL history on Super Bowl Sunday. This unstoppable, indomitable collection of men and coaches anticipated capping off a perfect season with a championship stomping of the 12 point underdog New York Giants. Experts agreed that this team was the greatest ever. They harangued inferior opponents. Keep up or get crushed was their ultimatum. Coach Belichick cared less if they were up by 20 points and in the red zone. They'd repeatedly go for it on fourth down, in the fourth quarter. The Patriots played as though they were punishing the football world. The railed against the NFL's Spygate investigation, and ultimate conviction. The Patriots would supplant the 1972 Dolphins as the most impressive assemblage of perfection, period. The problem was that may not have realized it, but the Giants were their only opponents. Indeed the Patriots made history, sensationally, and, on its wrong side. Incredibly, the New York Giants showed more heart, desire and, narrowly, more ability, upsetting the no longer perfect Patriots 17-14.

Earlier in the week, super Quarterback Tom Brady mocked Giants' wide out Plaxico Burress' prediction that the Giants would win 23-17. Brady was indignant that he thought this great offense would only put up 17. As the Patriots tried to make this an issue and put the pressure on Burress, he responded perfectly, wondering why the Patriots expected him to forecast a Giants loss. They were there to win, Burress declared. Brady caroused around New York City with his super model girlfriend, clubbing and hanging out. He acted like a wily, comfortably old pro who'd done this before. Of course, he had. However, maybe the Patriots entire squad enjoyed the week a little too much. Confidence was in abundance. Unfortunately, a cocky attitude of entitlement may have permeated players' thinking.

The game was unbelievable in many ways. Everyone knew that the Giants possessed a stout pass rush. Yet the Patriots offense seemed too quick and well oiled. The beasts upfront would keep Brady relatively clean was common wisdom. Accounting for Maroney, Moss, Welker, Watson, Faulk, Stallworth and, even Gaffney would be too much. Besides, experts ensured fans that the Patriots could turn the run game on and off as they desired. The greatest quarterback this side of the 90's had too much game.

The one dominant factor, regarding the Patriots offense, on this big day, was that Giants' pass rush. Strahan, Tuck and company steamrolled their adversaries.

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