GiantsVERSUSPatriots

New England arrived one win from the NFL's first undefeated season since the 1972 Dolphins and from the first 19–0 campaign ever. The wild-card Giants were double-digit underdogs, but they had pressured Tom Brady and pushed the Patriots in a competitive regular-season finale that quietly gave them confidence for the rematch.

• The Patriots had set league records for points and touchdown passes while winning their first 18 games.
• New York had already won three road playoff games behind Eli Manning and a defensive front built to pressure without constant blitzing.
• The matchup placed New England's pursuit of perfection against a Giants team trying to win its first championship since the 1990 season.

Sources: NFL 100: Helmet Catch · NFL: Tyree's defining catch