Opportunists vs. Underdogs: The Ultimate Super Bowl

Well today is the day. Sorry for being up so early, but since I have to work at 6 AM tomorrow, it's better to give my take on probably the most exciting day in sports: Super Sunday.

This game is by far the talk of the weekend. It's chocked full of Mannings and Mosses. It's divine with a glass of Burress or a shot of Brady. It's the Super Bowl and it's finally here.

Being the Ultimate Opportunists

New England made some questionable decisions before the season started; they grabbed a couple of Miami guys who were involved in the brawl against FIU.

They snagged the most controversial receiver in history in Randy Moss.

Then there was the controversial "Spy Gate" incident, of which everyone except the Patriots made a big deal. 

The Pats persevered through adversity en route to a perfect season and history.

Now comes the biggest game of the season, and for most of them, their careers. For Randy Moss, it's a chance to smile this offseason. For several guys on defense, it's a chance to end their careers on the highest of notes.

For Tom Brady it's a chance to prove that he is truly for real. For the Patriots, it's a chance for them to solidfy their ranking as the dynasty of this decade. For Bill Belichick, it's a chance to show everyone why he chose the perfect opportunity to become coach of the Patriots.

The Patriots, at least for this season, were the ultimate opportunists.

Being the Ultimate Underdogs

If there is any team that suffered more adversity this season, it was the New York Giants.

From Tiki Barber demoralizing the team after his retirement, to Michael Strahan contemplating his own retirement, and the fact that the entire season many Giants fans were calling for Tom Coughlin's firing, New York truly persevered this season. 

Despite just barely making the playoffs and being the underdogs in every game they played this postseason, the Giants posted the best road record of the season and went undefeated en route to their second appearance in the Super Bowl this decade.

But the biggest thing they have been this postseason, and in this Super Bowl no less, is the ultimate underdogs.

The Ultimate Championship Game

In a season where history, destiny, and dynasty have been constantly thrown around, it is fitting that the most talked about showdown of the regular season will lead to this year's Super Bowl Champions.

This game will be exciting...until halftime.

During that transmission, feel free to go throw eggs at your local football team's stadium because I don't know many people who want to see Tom Petty in the halftime show.

For the Giants to win, they have to capitalize on every mistake that the Patriots make. It is up to Eli Manning to pick up where his older brother left off in last year's Super Bowl.

The defense has to play the same way they did against Tony Romo and Brett Favre, and force Tom Brady to throw where and when he doesn't want to. 

Eli should go for medium passes instead of attempting to bomb it on every chance he gets. Plaxico Burress better live up to his hype if he expects people to take him seriously.

Defensively, the G-Men have to apply pressure to not just Randy Moss, but to all the receivers. They have proven to be very viable backup targets when Moss is swarmed. 

For the Patriots to complete their quest for perfection, they have to bring Eli back to the way he played when he was inconsistent. On the road, he has been phenomenal.

It's time to make Eli feel right at home, literally. Eli's numbers are better on the road than at home, and the Patriots are on their home field. This is an advantage that has proven beneficial to them this season.

Brady will have to play like he did against Jacksonville and not against San Diego. It's pretty evident that his ankle won't be at 100% by kickoff, so he'll have to unload a little sooner. A few short passes to Kevin Faulk should do the trick. 

But when the smoke clears in Arizona tonight, don't expect Eli to be hoisting up any trophies this time around. Tom Brady and the Pats are rolling. New England is on a mission from the Sports Gods, and I don't think Coughlin has enough guys in his defensive arsenal to win this one.

Though they had a great game in Week 17, this one will be a nail biter, but not for long. New England will win this one, finish the perfect dream season, and go down in the record books. They will shut the '72 Dolphins up completely, and cements their name in the Dynasty Books alongside Dallas, Pittsburgh, Green Bay and San Francisco.

Prepare to celebrate again Boston, because another trophy is heading your way. See you tomorrow for the post game wrap up.

Final Score: Patriots 34, Giants 27