Super Bowl 2012: Patriots vs. Giants Rematch Won't Trump Epic Original

The New England Patriots and New York Giants meet up once again in what is sure to be a great Super Bowl matchup, but it's highly doubtful that this Super Bowl rematch will even get close to trumping the epic game that was Super Bowl XLII.

While this game still features stars like Eli Manning and Tom Brady, and has a few new ones like Rob Gronkowski and Hakeem Nicks, I don't see any way we can get a better game this time around.

In order to truly understand why, though, it's necessary we play a little game I like to call then and now.

Records

Then: Last time these two teams matched up there was a little bit more than Super Bowl glory on the line.

Tom Brady and the Patriots were literally pushing the envelope of being one of the best teams of all time, and they had already secured up the perfect 16-0 season.

They pushed their way through the playoffs and two more wins, coming into the Super Bowl at 18-0, and the only thing between them and the undisputed title of the best team of all time was the New York Giants.

Now: This time around there are no perfect records or all-time greatness on the line. That doesn't mean this doesn't mean anything—believe me, the Super Bowl means everything to even a guy like Tom Brady who already has three—but there's a certain historical flair that will be missing from the rematch.

David And Goliath Feel

Then: Last time these two teams matched up in the Super Bowl there was a certain feeling in the air that the Patriots were absolutely unbeatable and, up until that point, they were.

Many didn't even think the Giants had a chance to compete in the game against the heavily-favored Patriots, let alone win it, and with all the implications surrounding the Patriots' season, it became the ultimate "David and Goliath" game.

Now: This time the Patriots are favored, but there are many people who would dispute that, stating the Giants are incredibly hot coming into this game and that they are actually the most well-rounded team. Eli Manning has proven himself to be truly elite, and Tom Brady isn't as superhuman as he once was.

David Tyree

Then: With the Giants down 14-10 on the last drive of the game and facing an all important third down, Manning miraculously escaped an intense Patriots pass rush and desperately heaved the ball downfield to Tyree.

What happened next will go down as one of the greatest moments in NFL history, and it is undoubtedly one of the best catches of all time.

Tyree somehow was able to snag the ball despite the hounding of Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, then kept control of the catch by improbably pinning it against his helmet with one hand and keeping possession all the way to the ground.

The Giants ended up scoring the game-winning touchdown on the drive, and Tyree went down in NFL history.

Now: Well, I guess we'll never know what can happen this time around, but I highly doubt it will be as epic as Super Bowl XLII.

That being said, it should still be a great game featuring two great winners at quarterback and two talented teams.

Just don't hold your breathe expecting it to trump the epic original.