I have a theory:
The Giants played better than the Pats.
I know this was a tough loss for the Pats to swallow, but common, seriously. Conspiracy theories??? If someone asked me who was the BEST team in the NFL in 2007, it would be the Patriots, without question. Are the Pats better than the Giants? Yes, I would say so. If you played 5 games, the Pats would win 4. Unfortunately, in this case, the one loss was the Superbowl. "Any Given Sunday" is not just a saying.
That's what makes the playoffs great is that ANY team can take it all the way. Look at the Chargers in 2006, heavy favorites for the SB and we get knocked out in the first round by the Pats - and the Pats were not better than the Chargers in 2006, IMO.
Time to move on Pats fans, and look forward to next year. You will still be the #1 Seed and will be heavy favorites for the SB - until the Chargers knock you out in the first round!!