Yeah, it just came down to the Giants making the plays and the Patriots not. I'm seeing a lot of focus on Wes Walker (Pats) dropping the pass with 4-minutes left to play. Thought the 4th qtr Rob Ninkovich (Pats) offsides penalty that gave the Giants new life on third down, deep in their own end, was key. Seemed like the more time both Brady & Eli had, the worse they threw the ball (?). Didn't expect such a low-scoring event ... almost thought I had it called when I saw Ochocinco lining up on the last play of the game for the 'Hail Mary',

Got some delicious fried chicken this weekend.

I think that game was played like crap. Mistake riddled, ball dropping hott mess!!

... but now I feel better, "Broadway" Joe Namath has come around to my way of thinking, Joe Namath .... and the Patriots released Tiquan Underwood yesterday, paving the way for Chad Ochocinco to play in the SuperBowl .... it would appear my evil plan is coming along quite nicely ...

Yeah, you could be right ... I accidently watched Skip Bayless for more then a brief second yesterday and noticed, for the most part, he agrees with me ... now I'm worried I could be a little off with my predicitions ...

I differ in your wrap up. I agree they will fake the kick. Brady will throw deep to Ochocinco, but Chad will drop the pass.

So 85 will retire, but under a different set of circumstances...

I was attending ST Patricks Catholic School when this happened. We had stopped class to watch it because one of our Nun's knew the teacher. Anyway, the explosion is still burned into my memory. Three things I will never forget seeing. The shuttle exploding, the Berlin Wall coming down and seeing the 2nd tower collapes.

Great blog SF. Thanks for letting us remember, brother.

... and won three out of four with one to play ... nah, you're not crazy ... some would say it's an indictment of the AFC and AFC East that a team with no DC could finish in first and go to the SuperBowl, but I think it's more indicative of Belichik and the systems he put in place back in 2000. Having Tom Brady hasn't hurt him any either.

Belichik/Brady have a history and it can't be denied. The Patriots are to the New Millenium what the Steelers were to the '70s, the FortyNiners were to the '80s and the Cowboys were to the '90s.

They are the team to beat, and while I don't necessarily have a dog in the fight, I'm still sticking with Brady and the Pats in this one.

Am I the only one who thinks that is crazy that the Patriots have made it to 5 superbowls since 2000? I looked at there team and noticed they dont even have a defensive coordinator. How is that possible? The Patriots really are the team to beat in the NFL.

NASA knew not to launch. That's the saddest thing about it. They had known for almost 10 years and yet they caved in to external pressure.

I suppose you can say, you know, it's a dangerous occupation. You can say you have to be good with the risk. And as with anything, sometimes you have to break your own rules so as to appease other people...

Or do you?

I appreciate everyone's comments. This one will always be near and dear to me.

I don't think you're alone. I think NASA took it for granted too.

I took it for granted that the Space Shuttle would take off and come back because it always had before. Actually didn't hear about the explosion until after, was off somewhere doing 'military' stuff. I remember thinking, "O-rings?". I agree, it takes a special kind of person to go through that training and then strap on a suit to blast off into outer space. Thanks for the remind, saintfan.

It's a sad, sad story and I've also read or heard they were alive for a few minutes before impact, that the explosion itself probably did not kill them.

I will remember this. I'll never forget where I was that day....

Yeah, Gronkowski ... ouch! I've just been hearing he had some sort of injury and was hoping the extra week off would give him time to heal up. High ankle sprain? Could take him 2 weeks, could take him a month or longer. That's not good for the Pats.

I'm starting to think I'm betting on the wrong horse ...

New England's TE has a high ankle sprain? Sure I heard that somewhere this week. That's big.

I think the "G" men win again.

The Giants are definitely the 'hot' team right now, and this 'Eli' is better then 2007 'Eli' ... but IDK, the Pats have a better running game then they did in 2007, they got Gronkowski, Hernandez & Walker ... and they got Brady. Yeah, the defense is lacking somewhat, but I think Brady puts up more points on New York then Eli can put up on New England.

You get tickets to the SuperBowl every year?

Word on the street is, the Pats don't match up well with the Giants. Didn't in 2007, less so this year. The Giants are a totally different team then the team the Saints killed in week 12. Will be an interesting Superbowl this year.

I couldn't get into the Superbowl last year.... it was too boring....just sayin.

Always respected Peyton/Eli, they come from good 'football stock', after all. Too, I always felt the hype/attention they received was partially in reward to Archie for all the years he remained loyal to the Saints, and deservedly so. The Manning's are like football's "Kennedy's" without Chappaquiddick and stuff.

And then you debate, "who's better? Peyton or Eli/". I used to think Peyton because I thought Eli had better teams around him, but this year, not so much. But would the Giants disintegrate like the Colts did without Peyton if Eli was lost? I don't think so, but Eli did get New York to the SuperBowl ... and it was Eli this time. It makes for great conversation, that's for sure. Either way, I know their daddy sure is proud.

But, the NFL is a cruel mistress ... and fickle ... as much as I like Eli and will be eternally grateful to him for knocking the 49'ers out of the playoffs, he has now outlived his usefulness and I have to go with Brady in this one, lol!

Even with a Superbowl win under his belt, multiple 4000 yard passing seasons, and a Manning last name... this year was the year Eli Manning finally arrived. Their offense has been riddled with inconsistencies and injuries all year... and he carried this team on his shoulders into the playoffs. He no longer has to walk behind Peyton's legacy, but now alongside it.

Now as much as I like him, Bilichick and Brady all the way! I've always been a closet Patriot fan even back to the Drew Bledsoe days. My first football memorabilia was an old school red NE worn out tee shirt. As I wish the Giants good luck, let's take it home Pats.

Both brothers are workhorses in the NFL if you ask me. Payton Manning has definitely gotten "THE HYPE" in the league. Eli has long been running a solid offense with sometimes lesser receivers. YES Eli's stock in the "HYPE" market will rise.