Feeling like underdogs

[MoneyFX]

It seems that everybody, including their mother's mother, is picking the Giants. We have the best QB, and the best coach, with a 13-3 record and nobody except a few analysts and the Patriots fans is picking us. I know that the Giants are super hot entering this game with a resurgent defense and lights out passing game, but we are too. 10 straight victories. The Patriots are pretty much getting no respect and I think it's a good thing, because they won't be under a lot of pressure to play well and win, putting less of a mental burden on the players. It'll make this victory super sweet knowing that Eli was gonna beat us again.

If the Patriots win the Super Bowl, the victory will be arguably the sweetest in Patriots history, avenging our Super Bowl loss and our only home loss this season. What do you guys think about the Patriots being put into this so-called underdog role?

 

[oldskool138]

ESPN Patriots-Giants prediction roundup - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Seems to me that a lot of people are picking the Pats...including Vegas.

But I can see how someone might think that most people are picking the Giants between the Giants flapping their gums all week and shows like F&M having people from the New York media coming in (or national media types with ties to the Giants, like Phil Simms) picking the Giants.

 

[Uncle Rico]

ESPN Patriots-Giants prediction roundup - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Seems to me that a lot of people are picking the Pats...including Vegas.

But I can see how someone might think that most people are picking the Giants between the Giants flapping their gums all week and shows like F&M having people from the New York media coming in (or national media types with ties to the Giants, like Phil Simms) picking the Giants.

To be fair, that link isn't very representative of national media — lots of ESPNBoston types whose picks are generally predictable (not that we hold that against them!). Also looks like they highlighted the ESPN national folks who went for the Pats (Schefter, Clayton[!]) a bit more. There's a whole other thread here showing that the preponderance of media, especially nationally, are going Giants.

 

[Buchanty]

To me this is the best case scenario - mediots for the Giants, Vegas for the Pats, and all of it has very little effect on the game itself. The effect on emotions after the game however is what makes it the best scenario - lose and there should be an absence of the bitterness I felt from SB42 when expectations were in the opposite direction. Lose and we can turn off the media for the week and feel relieved rather than angry or disappointed, lose and know that Vegas lost more. With this we can be gracious and say little in defeat.

Win and we get to see the mediots choking on their words for at least 10 days if not more. Win and we get to do the one thing that trash talkers hate most - be humble and say even less in victory.

And either way, as long as we fight hard, we honor MHK.

 

[BadMoFo]

Lots of close games in those predictions means I will likely not watch the fourth quarter. :bricks:

 

[PatsBoy12]

Why do we keep having threads/posts about how nobody is picking the Patriots? SO WHAT!!! The game isn't won and lost by prognosticators. It's won and lost on the field. Mostly everyone was picking NE before SB42. How did that turn out? Almost the whole world was picking the Rams on 2001. How did that turn out? Few people gave Arizona a chance a few years ago, and the Steelers still needed a last minute catch to win.

There was a time when we enjoyed being the underdogs as fans. It seems quite a few of us have been spoiled over the years. Who cares what analysts and ex-players think? Why should it matter that they're picking the Giants? When all of the analysts jump on the Pats bandwagon, people here get upset. When they don't pick the Pats, then people here get upset. Get over it and just enjoy the show on February 5.

 

[Ivan]

My mailman just picked the Giants, and he's a "Patriots fan"

He was muttering "worst defense ever" as he trudged away.


I was going to start a thread but figured I would wait for my butcher's prediction.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

I haven't been following the hype I don't want to hear it, it's beyond annoying to me. I catch the local news in the morning which is heavy on Pats fluff and coverage and I'm finding that's enough for me. I did see some of Brady's media day interview, one of Gronk's, and a couple of others as well but I haven't turned on BSPN, Felger, NFLN, none of it and I'm happier for it LOL

It sounds corny I know but I'm just so excited that the Pats are not only in it but have an outstanding shot at taking it all that I could give a **** who anyone picks. GO PATS :rocker::americaflag::rocker:.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

of course we are underdogs...just look at what the media and giants players are saying

 

[Lansdowne]

Yup, definitely an underdog feel. Regardless of what Vegas says. There are times when even I feel like the Giants are going to plow over us. But I like this underdog feel a lot. Makes me feel more loose going into this Super Bowl.

 

[karguy85]

Well 35 of ESPN's 63 so-called "Experts" picked the Giants...

Super Bowl 2012 - ESPN.com's Super Bowl XLVI predictions - ESPN


I especially like Sal Paolantonio's prediction: Patriots, 31-27 "We're in the middle of a trilogy. Super Bowl XLII was a new hope, and you can't have a "Return of the Jedi" without "The Empire Strikes Back.""

 

[Lansdowne]

Well 35 of ESPN's 63 so-called "Experts" picked the Giants...

Super Bowl 2012 - ESPN.com's Super Bowl XLVI predictions - ESPN


I especially like Sal Paolantonio's prediction: Patriots, 31-27 "We're in the middle of a trilogy. Super Bowl XLII was a new hope, and you can't have a "Return of the Jedi" without "The Empire Strikes Back.""

Some real journalist integrity by Michelle Beadle: "I don't like the Patriots". Oh well, she has to live with being a Jets fan.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Some real journalist integrity by Michelle Beadle: "I don't like the Patriots". Oh well, she has to live with being a Jets fan.

A Packers fan apparently.

 

[Lansdowne]

A Packers fan apparently.

Sounds like she got the discount double check from Clay Matthews that night.

 

[Patriots2001]

I prefer being the underdog so when we win it will be that much sweeter

 

[jnug]

What is neat about this Pats underdog thing is that the Giants are out there writing checks with their mouths that I don't think their asses will be able to cash. BB will have so much stuff up on the locker room walls and will be feeding the fires. That does have a real impact on the game itself. I think that and the MHK factor will at least play something of a role here.

In many cases the Pats players genuinely have affection for their owner and have always held the Mrs in very high regard. In fact the entire players association realizes the Bob Kraft pulled their asses out of the fire.

Keep talkin' Giants....keep right on talkin'.

As for the idiot Giant fans...I could care less what they say but I like to see those fires stoked.

 

[McGinley]

What's funny is that the Giants seem to think that THEY'RE the underdogs here. Really? With all the praise they've received this week? Come on, Coughlin.

 

[jnug]

Actually I guess Coach Tom did say something sort of counter to what you would expect from him today claiming that the Giants usually do well against the better teams. Hence he liked their chances.

He must be feeling some pressure from his blowhard crosstown rival to say something like he would say. What happened Tom? Did you forget that you are the guy that got to the SB and your crosstown rival is the one left desperately trying to attach himself to your coat tails?

 

[Leave No Doubt]

What's funny is that the Giants seem to think that THEY'RE the underdogs here. Really? With all the praise they've received this week? Come on, Coughlin.

I saw part of a Coughlin interview and that's exactly the way he sounded to me as well. Really is right

 

[jnug]

Could be worse than that, though. They could be Dream Team, lol.

Don't know how the Eagles ever live that one down.