Sunday night football in the US, Monday, 16th of November, 8:25am AEST, MetLife Stadium, New York
THERE are few rivalries that capture the American imagination quite like the battles between Boston and New York.
The New York Giants and the New England Patriots bring the east coast city heat to Metlife Stadium on Sunday.
The Giants and the Patriots have been at war since Eli Manning’s Giants stunned Tom Brady’s Patriots in Superbowl XLII 17-14, ending what would have been a perfect season.
Just four years later the two teams met again on the big stage, with Manning’s Giants upsetting the favoured Pats 21-17.
If there is any modern day rivalry that gets tongues wagging, it’s this one.
Pats and the Giants look to shut down rivalry talk
With such a storied rivalry between the Giants and the Patriots, one would be forgiven for thinking the build-up will be all about Superbowls of years gone by.
For New England and New York though, the 2015/16 season is the only thing on their minds.
The Patriots are one of only three teams left in the NFL with an unblemished record – which brings back memories of Superbowl XLII.
New England coach Bill Belichick does not believe his team bears the scars of Superbowls past.
“Those games were a long time ago,” Belichick said.
“I don’t think it really has any bearing or influence on what happens this week. I think this week is about the matchups with these two teams, and so that’s what we’re really focused on.”
The Big Blue has dominated the Pats in recent times.
The Giants have not lost to New England since 2008, the only team that boasts such a strong record over the reigning champions.
Giants’ wide receiver Rueben Randle said their big game dominance will not be a factor on Sunday.
“We’re trying to approach it as another week,” Randle said.
“Another week that we have to go out and win to remain at the top of this division, and I think that’s anyone’s outlook of this week. … I think coach Coughlin does a great job of making sure we all understand the situation and don’t get ahead of ourselves.
“We want to be one of the better teams in this league, and this is the challenge that we need,”
The Giants have had an indifferent start to the season, sporting a 5-4 record and are in dire need of a win.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin thinks the challenge of facing off against the current best team in the league is just what the Big Blue need to kick start their season.
“I think for our team playing against their team, a very, very good team, it’s exciting,” Coughlin said.
“Let’s face it, accomplished is the right word, but also remember, they are undefeated. In this day and age, being undefeated at this point of the season is quite an accomplishment in itself.”
Coughlin’s wide receiver Rueben Randle agrees.
“I think coach Coughlin does a great job of making sure we all understand the situation and don’t get ahead of ourselves.” Randle said.
“(We need to) Just go out there and try to make our jobs as easy as possible with not a lot of thinking going on.”
Even with the strong focus on the week-to-week football, Coughlin still could not resist talking about what playing one of your big rivals does to his team’s mentality.
“They’re a good football team and you’ve gotta play your best. There’s no other way around it.” Coughlin said.
“(It) does get your motor running”
Match betting preview
Odds provided by Sportsbet.com.au
Winner: New England Patriots – $1.28
Total points Over/Under: Over 55.5 – $1.95
Winning margin: New England Patriots by 11-20 points – $4.20
The Giants and the Patriots are one of the big rivalries in the NFL and with both teams playing well, it looms as one of the matches of the season.
One of the main men the Giants have to stop is Rob Gronkowski.
The Gronk has been in sensational form this season, and with the Giants showing a weakness throughout the season in the middle of the field, the New England Tightend could be the decisive player in this game.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin knows stopping Gronkowski is the key to a New York victory.
“He’s a rare athlete, let’s face it,” Coughlin said.
“They use him in a lot of different ways.”
Coughlin said the Giants will have to use a variety of coverages to try to slow him down.
“You have to mix,” Coughlin said.
“You have to have your entire defensive package available.”
Another man that looms as a must-stop player is Patriots’ Quarterback Tom Brady.
The former MVP is close to career best form, and the Big Blue’s coach knows the pressure has to come to rattle Brady if they are to mount a challenge.
“He’s the quickest in the league getting rid of the ball. That’s a fact,” Coughlin said.
“But you do have to try. Whether you with four, five, six, whatever, at certain points in the game you’ve got to try.”
The deadly combination of Eli Manning will have to be on song for the Giants to get the upset here.
After a shaky start to the season, Manning has improved his touchdown record to 20 this year, the third best of any Quarterback this season.
Beckham junior has also been terrific on the year, accumulating 759 yards so far – the fourth most of any wide receiver in the NFL.
He also sits seventh in the league for touchdown catches this season.
The Giants face an enormous task in defeating the perfect New England Patriots – but if there is any team that has shown in recent times they have what it takes to upset Tom Brady’s men it is the Big Blue.
Hard to see it happening in week 10 though, but who knows, if both teams make it to this year’s Superbowl, the story might be different.
