Super Bowl for Dummies

So with the biggest sports event of the year right around the corner, I thought it would be fitting to have a preview for all the people who fear ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and anything else that has to do with sports. My goal is to share just enough about the game so that you can enjoy yourself on Sunday, have an appreciation for what's going on, and enjoy the Super Bowl for more than its ads (which haven't been as great lately)...

So for starters, the two teams that are playing: the New England Patriots vs. the New York Giants. The Patriots are trying to be the first team to complete a perfect season of 19-0 in NFL history. While the odds are against the Giants, the Giants are playing just as well. The two teams went head-to-head in the last game of the season and even though that game did not matter, the Giants nearly gave the Patriots their first loss of the season. The point is that the Giants have the ability and the game plan to beat the Patriots. The question is can they? The Patriots have gotten so close to losing a few times, but they have yet to lose... only one way to find out what will happen -- WATCH THE GAME ON SUNDAY!!!! (Here's a couple other official previews for people who are more sports savvy - NFL.com, abc.com, USAToday.com)

Now here is a bit about each team just so you know...

First, the underdogs, the New York Giants..... it is a surprise that the Giants even made it to the Super Bowl. They went 10-6 in the regular season and are the first team to ever make it to the Super Bowl with 6 losses since 1988. But they have been really hot lately. They won all three of their playoff games on the road and set an NFL record this season with 10 wins away from home. The people to know on their team:
Eli Manning, quarterback - Even though he was drafted with the 1st pick in the draft a few years back, no one ever thought that he would be playing here this season. He had a very rough year and played very inconsistently. At one point in the season he was even booed by the fans at home. But he has really turned his game around and is living up to his potential.
Plaxico Burress, wide receiver - He is fast, tall and has great hands. He can catch the ball down the field and is a play maker.
Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan, they play defense - These guys are fast and strong. They play on the defensive line and they will be pressuring the Patriots' offense all game long.






Then, the favorite, the New England Patriots..... there is no surprise here. The Patriots have won all 18 of their games so far this season and now they are looking to be the first team since the 1972 Dolphins to finish an entire season unbeaten (it is worthwhile to know that the Dolphins only had 14 games that season...the Patriots would have had 19 games if they win it all). The Patriots' offense has been virtually unstoppable. They set all sorts of records for the best offense this year: most points, most TDs by a quarterback, most TDs by a wide receiver... Their defense is good, but not the best. Somehow they come up big when they need to. Everyone is expecting the Patriots to win this one. Oh and they have won 3 championships in the last 6 years already...The people to know on their team:
Tom Brady, quarterback - Perhaps the best quarterback in the game right now and maybe even the best quarterback ever. He just set the record for most TDs in a single-season and he is the MVP of the NFL. He always seems to come through in the clutch and he has been virtually perfect this year. But he is coming off of his worst game and it will be interesting to see how he plays in the Super Bowl. He is also one People's Best Looking People!
Randy Moss, wide receiver - He was a druggy, a problematic teammate, and mostly everyone thought his career was a waste. Then this year he turned it around and had the best season in NFL history. He has incredible speed and can jump right over defenders. He has been shut down in the playoffs so far however and who knows how much he'll be able to do in the playoffs.


And for those of you who will still watch just for the ads, here's a preview of the ads.