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Published on Litchfield Independent Review (http://www.independentreview.net)

Patriots quest for perfection won't be stopped

By Lyle Diekmann
Created 02/01/2008 - 5:21pm
I'd like to believe the New York Giants could spoil the New England Patriots perfect season, but that's just wishful thinking. Even though the Patriots are led by the NFL's posterboy, Tom Brady, they have become the most polarizing franchise in the league. A recent run of success that includes three Super Bowl titles in six seasons makes the Patriots the most revered sports team in the northeast. Winning a fourth title would put them among the greatest franchises in NFL history, joining Pittsburgh, Dallas and San Francisco as the only teams to win four or more championships. New England had an entirely different perception across the country. If New England isn't the most hated professional football team already, a 19-0 season would solidify its role as league villain. New York, the ultimate Super Bowl underdog, is positioned to be the hero. The Giants played the Patriots tough in the regular-season finale, but lost 38-35. New York, which won an NFL record 10 road games this season, must find a way to outscore a team that set the NFL record for points in a season. And despite how well the Giants have played this postseason, what facet of the game do they have an edge on New England? Offense? No. Special teams? No. Defense? Maybe. But it's not like New York did anything special to stop New England four weeks ago. With perfection and league immortality on the line, New England has more at stake than the Giants, but when has the pressure gotten to Brady and Pats? It won't get to them on Sunday, either.

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