subject: New England Patriots Face New York Giants For First Time Since Super Bowl Xlii [print this page] After one of the greatest Super Bowls ever, and a monumental upset that spoiled a perfect season, many NFL fans have been eagerly anticipating a rematch.
Who knew it would take almost four years for that to happen?
The New York Giants, who upset the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, 17-14, will finally get a chance to meet the Patriots again when they hook up Sunday in Foxboro.
Tom Brady and Eli Manning were in that game, but many in the supporting cast of characters have changed. One thing hasnt, thoughboth teams are back at the top of their divisions. Both, however, have been inconsistent of late and could use a solid effort this week to build some momentum heading into the second half of the season.
This is the first meeting of these teams since that memorable Super Bowl, and its the first meeting in Foxboro since a 17-6 Patriots win in 2003.
New York Giants
The Giants closed out a three-game homestand with a pair of wins, including last weeks 20-17 decision over winless Miami. Now they play back-to-back roadies against division leaders. New York has won its last two road games, scoring 60 combined points. Three of the last four games have been decided by four points or fewer.
The Giants rank fourth in the league in passing (288 yard per game) but 30th in rushing (86 ypg). Eli Manning is completing 65 percent of his passes for 2,127 yards and 13 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He has been sacked 15 times, though.
Hakeem Nicks is his favorite target with 38 catches for 575 yards and three TDs, while Victor Cruz has four scores among his 28 grabs for 497 yards. Ahmad Bradshaw is the top rusher for the team with 440 yards and five TDs (4.0 yards per carry).
Defensively, the Giants rank 13th against the pass (225 ypg) and 28th against the run (130 ypg) while compiling 26 sacks and forcing 14 turnoverswith one returned for a TD (Michael Boley, fumble).
Antrel Rolle has 49 tackles to lead the team, adding an INT and a forced fumble, while Boley has 46 stops and three fumble recoveries. Jason Pierre-Paul has eight sacks and Osi Umenyiora has six; Corey Webster and Aaron Ross each have three INTs; and Umenyiora and Dave Tollefson each have two forced fumbles.
Devin Thomas averages 25 yards per kickoff return.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are in familiar territory on top of the AFC East, but they had their three-game win streak snapped last week with a 25-17 loss at Pittsburgh. It marked the second straight game that New England failed to score 21 points after surpassing the 30-point mark in each of the first five games. The Pats are 3-0 at home this year.
The Pats are riding a strong offense, one that ranks second in passing (325 ypg) and is 18th in rushing (112 ypg). Tom Brady has completed 68 percent of his passes for 2,361 yards and 18 TDs with eight interceptions, but has been sacked 14 times.
Wes Welker is his top receiver with 57 receptions for 824 yards and six scores, while Rob Gronkowski has 36 grabs for 495 yards and five scores. BenJarvus Green-Ellis leads the running game with 400 yards and five tallies, gaining 4.2 ypc.
The Patriot defense has been susceptible at times, ranking ninth in the league against the run (101 ypg) but last against the pass (323 ypg) while posting 15 sacks and forcing 12 turnovers. Patrick Chung and David McCourty lead the team with a combined 99 total tackles, adding a sack and an INT between them.
Mark Anderson and Andre Carter each have 4.5 sacks (both with a forced fumble) and Kyle Arrington has four interceptions.
Welker and Edelman have combined to average 11 yards per punt return.
