New England will take on the Giants, whose upset of the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII derailed their bid to become the greatest team in history. They're different teams now, for sure, as there are only seven Patriots on the active roster who were with the team in 2007.
But after handling the Ravens — who knocked out New England in the 2009 postseason — in Sunday's AFC Championship, the Patriots have a shot to take down the team that kick-started their three-game losing streak in the playoffs.
It will also serve as a rematch from a thriller in Week 9, when the Giants beat the Patriots, 24-20, at Gillette Stadium. There were four lead changes in the fourth quarter, and quarterback Eli Manning hit tight end Jake Ballard for the game-winning one-yard touchdown with 15 seconds to play. It came just 81 seconds after Tom Brady's touchdown drive gave New England a 20-17 advantage.
The Giants didn't have wide receiver Hakeem Nicks or running back Ahmad Bradshaw in that game, while the Patriots were without linebacker Dane Fletcher, and linebacker Brandon Spikes suffered a knee injury in the second half.
It also served as the Patriots' last loss. They'll carry a 10-game winning streak into the Super Bowl.
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