Position by position breakdown of Super Bowl XLII between the Giants and Patriots:

Quarterback:

Patriots: Tom Brady

Giants: Eli Manning

I pride myself on being more than the fan of a particular team; if I am a fan of a particular sport, I love the sport first, the team second. Despite being a New England Patriots fan, I try to view events in the NFL as objectively as possible. However, I am confused by the lack of respect shown to the Patriots for their accomplishments this year. Don’t get me wrong—people have given the Patriots their “props” for the unblemished 18-0 start.

Before I recap the games, I must applaud the fans for both Championship Games--to the 68,756 in Foxboro for the Patriots-Chargers AFC Title Game, and the 72,740 in Green Bay for the Packers-Giants NFC Title Game. I was in attendance for the Patriots-Chargers game, sitting in section 307, row 15, and it was miserably cold. Despite wearing three pairs of socks, two sweatpants, thermals, a winter hat, gloves and heavy coat, the cold and wind shook me to my core.

First, it was Eli Manning's older brother Peyton, who advanced and consequently won the Super Bowl last season over the Chicago Bears.

Now, it is Eli’s turn to dance and avenge a regular season home loss to the perfect 18-0 New England Patriots, who defeated San Diego in the first half of the championship round on Sunday afternoon.

Nobody gave Eli and the New York Giants a chance in the preseason after RB Tiki Barber announced his retirement and DE Michael Strahan threatened retirement.

Well, this was expected. Right?  The New England Patriots on one side of the Super Bowl, representing the AFC.  It was closer than many expected, including oddsmakers, who favored the Patriots by 14 points.  Even with quarterback Tom Brady's two-touchdown yet rare three-interception performance, they held on for a 21-12 victory over the San Diego Chargers, who were limping into this game.

The New Jersey Devils, who are hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs at 5 o'clock, did not expect the New York football Giants to be playing today at 6:30.  To accommodate Devils and Giants fans, myself one of them, the Prudential Center will broadcast the Gmen's NFC Championship Game on TVs throughout the arena and the Bud Light Goal Bar, Restaurant, and Fire and Ice Lounges will stay open for the entire NFC title game in Green Bay.