I can't believe I'm going to say it

The Giants are going to the Super Bowl! Coming into this season, I was less than enthusiastic about the team's chances of finishing at .500, much less contending for a title. In fact, I believe my preseason prediction had the team of 3-13, firing coach Tom Coughlin, and shopping around for a new quarterback to replace bust Eli Manning.

The team was coming off yet another first round playoff flame out, their All Pro running back was retiring taking about 98% of the team's offense with him, and rumors had their All Pro defensive end following him out the door. Well it turns out the retired Tiki Barber is a complete ass hat who did nothing but undermine his quarterback's confidence and leadership. Michael Strahan just wanted to skip training and work his way into shape during the early regular season.

Plaxico Burress overcame a gimpy ankle to put on a receiving clinic in the NFC Championship game. Amani Toomer won't garner many votes for MVP what with his inconsistent play and suddenly drop-happy hands, but he made by far the most important play of the regular season when he rolled up on Jeremy Shockey's leg and fractured the mercurial tight end's fibula. While Shockey was having another solid year he was one of the few remaining negative influences on Eli's fragile psyche, and Manning seemed lift his game to another level in the final two games and the postseason.

Another important fallout from the loss to Washington was the reining in of offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. He called for 53 passes from Eli Manning on a night when running back Brandon Jacobs rushed for over 5 yards a carry. While I like to think they hooked up a car battery to Gilbride's testicles, I imagine the conversation was more of Tom Coughlin screaming at Gilbride, "HE'S ELI FUCKING MANNING! NOT PEYTON! ELI! NEVER EVER DO THAT AGAIN! IT'S EMBARRASSING WHEN HE CRIES ON THE FIELD LIKE THAT!" Actually, I kind of imagine Coughlin screams all the time. "HONEY CAN YOU PLEASE PASS THE SALT? THANK YOU!"

But I digress. The Giants closed the regular season with a tight game against the (so far) undefeated New England Juggernauts, er Patriots, a game they actually led in the third quarter until Brady remembered no one on the Giants could cover Randy Moss. Hopefully he forgets this again in Arizona or else it could be a long game for Big Blue. Hey, maybe Gisele should take Brady to Cabo for a few days to get his mind off the big game. It worked so well for Romo!