Super Bowl 2012: NY Giants Still Undervalued Headed into Super Bowl XLVI

The New York Giants have surpassed a great deal of expectations but still find themselves wanting respect heading into Super Bowl XLVI. 

It's almost a miracle that the Giants made it all the way to Indianapolis. At least, that is what many will tell you, considering the injuries they had in the secondary, a little brother that is nowhere near as good as legendary Peyton Manning or a head coach that may still be on the hot seat despite reaching his second Super Bowl with New York. 

The reality is far more encouraging for a Giants team that is headed into Super Bowl XLVI as underdogs to the New England Patriots. 

Defense

The Giants defense can be as good as any when they want to be. This is a team that held Aaron Rodgers to human feats by limiting him to 264 yards and forcing one interception. 

Against the 49ers, the Giants made key stops, allowing a late overtime coup. A team that never coughs up the ball in the 49ers lost because of a critical fumble by Kyle Williams late in the game. 

The Giants may not have the swagger of a Ravens or Niners defense, but they can prove just as prolific when the stakes are high. 

Eli Manning

You can almost hear Rodney Dangerfield talk about Eli Manning and how he gets absolutely no respect, and he would be right. 

It's tough to be seen as an elite quarterback when your brother is a legendary one. Without that massive shadow, Manning would be getting a great deal more love than he is. 

This is a quarterback on the verge of delivering yet another title to Gotham, and he is doing it with late heroics and Hail Marys. 

It's time to face facts: Manning is a quarterback that you can almost guarantee will throw over 300 yards and three touchdowns a game. That is elite, no matter how you define it. 

This is all the more tantalizing when you consider that the Patriots' defense is one of the worst in football. We are looking at a future Super Bowl MVP performance by Manning. 

Tom Coughlin

You would think that this much success would have Coughlin answering questions about the statue they are going to build him. Instead, he is forever dodging questions about a future firing. 

The Giants' head coach is safe for another year after yet another Super Bowl berth. He is a player's coach that leads with balance and calm. 

This team has suffered dramatic highs and lows, and the only way they get through that is with a head coach that leads with an even keel. 

Coughlin enters as the most underrated head coach in football. By the game's end, he will have beat one of the most lauded in Bill Belichick. 

The NY Giants are again under-hyped and underrated, but that will only be true for another fortnight. After Super Bowl XLVI, they will get the respect they deserve. 

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