Giants vs. Patriots: A History of Super Bowl Rematches Favors New York

When the New England Patriots and New York Giants meet in Super Bowl XLVI, it will mark the fifth different rematch between two NFL franchises.

The even more interesting aspect about this game though, is that it's happening within a four-year span. Of the other Super Bowl rematches, only two were in a shorter span (Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys in 1975 and '78 and Dallas Cowboys vs Buffalo Bills in 1993-93).

To that end, let's look at how each Super Bowl rematch has played out because it's quite in favor of New York.

Super Bowl XIII: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys

A rematch of Super Bowl X where the Steelers won 21-17, the Cowboys were the defending Super Bowl champions after dominating the Denver Broncos 27-10 a year earlier (it was a lot worse than the indicated score).

Pittsburgh on the other hand, had not been in the big game since its win over Dallas, and with many eventual Hall of Famers on each side, Super Bowl XIII is still considered one of the best games in NFL history.

That being said, the Cowboys fell short, 35-31, thanks to a dropped touchdown pass by tight end Jackie Smith late in the game. Although the Cowboys would beat the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX, that's 17 years late so it's not technically a rematch since each franchise had completely new personnel.

Super Bowl XVII: Washington Redskins vs. Miami Dolphins

In 1972 the Miami Dolphins went a perfect 17-0 and their Super Bowl VII win came over the Washington Redskins. 10 years later, few players on either roster remained, though Dolphins head coach Don Shula was still on the sidelines.

This is the game, when crunching numbers, that plays into the hands of New England because the Redskins would avenge the loss from a decade ago, 27-17.

With a stout running game thanks to John Riggins, Washington would win the first of its three Super Bowls. The Dolphins unfortunately, have not won a Super Bowl since the 1973 season not have they won the AFC since 1984.

The Redskins split the series, but 10 years later with barely any of the same players isn't the same kind of rematch as the Pats and Giants this year.

Super Bowl XXIII: San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Eight seasons earlier in 1981, the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals met in Super Bowl XVI. Joe Montana would win his first Super Bowl MVP award and the defense made arguably the best goal-line stand in NFL history.

When Super Bowl XXIII began, both franchises had a good number of familiar faces from the first meeting, but the main difference was receiver Jerry Rice. The Bengals had no answer for him or John Taylor, and Montana torched Cincy at the very end.

Another Super Bowl rematch and another loss for the team who also lost in round one. Then again, how could anyone have expected the Bengals to win. San Francisco had already won two without Rice (1981 and 1984), so 1988 was simply a forgone conclusion.

Super Bowl XXVIII: Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills

Definitely one of the more interesting Super Bowl rematches, but not enough to give the Patriots any hope from a historical rematch perspective.

When the Buffalo Bills met the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVII a year earlier, Big D convincingly won 52-17. Fortunately for Buffalo, it would get another shot exactly one year later in 1993.

Unfortunately for the Bills, they would lose a fourth consecutive Super Bowl, 30-13, and head back to the northwest corner of New York State with nothing to show from a miraculous four-year stretch. Of all the Super Bowl rematches, the Cowboys domination over the Bills is the most impressive.

Summary

So, in the previous four Super Bowl rematches the franchise than won the first time went 3-1 in the grudge match contest.

As mentioned in the introduction, the two most comparable to the Pats and Giants this season are the Cowboys and Steelers from 1978, and the Cowboys and Bills from 1993.

If New England cannot manage to relinquish the ghosts from Super Bowl rematches past as well as 2007, this Sunday is going to be one trend-setting game anytime another rematch occurs.

John Rozum on Twitter.