NFL: Super Bowl XXXV Preview

By Matt Raynor Sports Central Columnist

The New York Giants were 7-4 on November the 20th, tied with the Redskins, and they were trailing the eight-win Eagles by a game. However, the team was able to pull together in December and January. With the help from lesser-known players, Michael Strahan, Tiki Barber, and oh yes, their quarterback who has been ridiculed everywhere he has gone, Kerry Collins, wound up winning their next seven games, and are now in the biggest game of their career. Now, some can say it was the promise, by their coach Jim Fassel. But, if you look at the facts, you can see plain and simple that the New York Giants are a force to be reckoned with all along.

First, you must look at their quarterback. Collins' numbers this year are far beyond expectations. 3,610 yards passing, 22 TDs, and 13 INTs in the regular season silenced critics, who said this Penn State star was and always will be a failure. Next, look at the rushing. They may not be Pro Bowlers, however, they have both stepped up big this year. Tiki Barber rushed for a total of 258 yards last year. This year, Tiki rushed for an impressive 1,006 yards.

People talk about Dennis Green (Vikings head coach) taking a risk with Culpepper (Daunte). Jim Fassel made probably a bigger risk, by trusting his ground attack with Tiki Barber (Lighting), and rookie Ron Dayne (Thunder) who rushed for 770 yards this year.

Finally, let's examine this underrated defense. The secondary, with only CB Jason Sehorn with a recognizable name, gave up only 246 points all season, second in the NFC to the Philadelphia Eagles (245).

That right there is enough to prove that the Giants are for real, and they won't let up in years to come. No, these are not your Atlanta Falcons. This is a New York Giants team with a great coach who has defied all odds, and has put his trust in this average team, and has made them champions. His famous mid-season "guarantee" that they would make the playoffs gave them the confidence they needed to get where hey are today.

Last week, I visited the SC Message Boards and I predicted the Raiders to defeat the Ravens 31-24. Quite frankly, with that high score, I don't know what I was thinking. I now realize more than ever that the Ravens are not going to all anyone probably score more than 20.

It's time for the picks. Here is my Super Bowl XXXV pick, the granddaddy of them all: Ravens 14-10

Didn't I just do a whole article on how the Giants are for real and now I am picking the Ravens? Well, though I think the Giants are for real and I want them to win, I think this Ravens defense is for real, and no one (except for Charles Woodson and Warrick Dunn) can score off of these guys. So, I think the Ravens will take this Super Bowl, in one of the most surprising seasons in this great sport we call football.

Article courtesy of Sports Central