Wow - great discussion in this thread.
I think a lot of you gentlemen have hit on one of the great keys for this game: the Pats' running game, and their patience to stick with it.
The Giants' D has been getting a lot of press for their formidability, and rightly so. They've been fantastic lately. But not invincible. They were pretty mediocre against the run all year, and while we hear a lot about how they're playing differently now, their ability to stop the run against Green Bay and San Fran was not impressive. Their ability to force turnovers was, but not their ability to stop the run.
Green Bay averaged 6.4 ypc against the Giants; San Fran 5.4. Granted, a decent portion of that was scramble yardage by the QBs. But Starks and Grant combined for 76 yards on 14 carries for GB, and Hunter and Gore combined for 105 yards on 20 carries for San Fran. That's pretty serious production from the RB spot alone, and it gets overshadowed because of the Giants' pass rush and ability to force turnovers.
I was quite impressed with how New England ran on the Ravens. They key, I suspect, is going to be to find the right balance and not become over-dependent on the run or Brady's arm. Hopefully the Pats have the right back in Green-Ellis: good combo of speed, power, and balance, and the guy just does not fumble (knock on wood).
As for Super Bowl 42, so many things had to come together for the Giants to win that game (and I give them all the credit in the world for making the most of their opportunities), and so many things had to happen for New England to lose it. It all did, obviously. Maroney was a good back in his prime, but it's always been my opinion that a powerful back with a more physical running style - an Antowain Smith, for instance - would have made all the difference and then some in that game.
On a side note, I've always felt that that game was - contrary to popular opinion - one of Brady's finest moments. I remember watching it unfold and in disbelief at how - with all that pressure on him, both physically and mentally, no run game, little protection, playing hurt, etc. - he sucked it up and drove the team to take the 14-10 lead.
Anyway, thanks for the great discussion, guys.