The Giants' Lawrence Tynes was a stout 23-of-27 during the regular season, but two misses in the NFC title game almost cost him his job. The Patriots sent Stephen Gostkowski out to kick for points 107 times in 18 games, and he returned with points in 103 of his chances.

     ■ Lawrence Tynes, New York

Extra points: 40-of-42

Kicks blocked: none

Snapper: Jay Alford

Holder: Jeff Feagles (punter)

Season FG attempts: 23/27 (.852)

Season long: 48

     ■ Stephen Gostkowski, New England

Extra points: 74-of-74

Kicks blocked: none

Snapper: Lonie Paxton

Holder: Chris Hanson (punter)

Season FG attempts: 21/24 (.875)

Season long: 45

Don't expect the Patriots to rattle Giants punter Jeff Feagles. He's in his 20th season and has punted more than anyone in NFL history – 1,585 times. Chris Hanson of the Patriots punted 44 times in the regular season but had more touchbacks than Feagles.

     ■ Jeff Feagles, New York

Season long: 60

Inside the 20: 25

Touchbacks: 5

Punts blocked: 1

Net yards per punt: 36.0

     ■ Chris Hanson, New England

Season long: 64

Inside the 20: 13

Touchbacks: 6

Punts blocked: 1

Net yards per punt: 36.1

The focus will be on Tom Brady and Eli Manning trying to make history. Brady is attempting to become the third QB to win four Super Bowls, joining Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana. Eli is trying to join Peyton as the first brother combination to win back-to-back titles. Here are less obvious players to keep an eye on:

TE Kevin Boss

Boss was playing last season vs. Humboldt State and Puget Sound. But with Jeremy Shockey injured, the Western Oregon product is starting in a Super Bowl.

CB Kevin Dockery

Dockery missed the season finale vs. the Pats with an injury. But he is back for the rematch and has the speed to match up with Donte Stallworth on third downs.

DE Jarvis Green

Starters Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren are first-round draft picks. But Green had 6½ sacks off the bench.

WR Jabar Gaffney

Playing time became scarce with the arrivals of Moss, Welker and Stallworth in 2007. But Gaffney still caught 36 passes and has more TD catches than Moss this postseason – one.

No team took better care of the football than the Patriots, who committed just 15 turnovers. Tom Brady threw nine interceptions, and the Patriots lost six fumbles. But Brady committed five of the turnovers in December in the cold weather. The ball will be easier to grip and hold indoors at the Super Bowl.

Best Giant bet: QB Eli Manning

The Giants did a superb job protecting Manning, allowing 27 sacks. But when he does get hit it's almost like he never expects it. Manning fumbled 13 times and lost seven.

Best Patriot bet: KR Ellis Hobbs

He finished seventh in the NFL in kickoff returns with a 26-yard average. But at 5-9, he's small, and a blind-side shot can separate him from the football. Hobbs has fumbled twice.

Best Giant bet: DE Osi Umenyiora

He arrives on Brady's blind side in the pass rush and has developed a chop move on impact. He forced five fumbles. No one else on the Giants forced more than one.

Best Patriot bet: OLB Mike Vrabel

Twelve New England defenders came up with turnovers in 2007. Vrabel wasn't one of them, but he was responsible for more than his share, leading the team with four forced fumbles. Like Umenyiora, the fumbles come on his pass rush.

Best Giant bet: CB Aaron Ross

He starts at left cornerback but slides into the slot on passing downs. That will match him against Wes Welker, a favorite target of Tom Brady in short yardage. Welker has caught 10 or more passes in three games, so Ross will have his chances.

Best Patriot bet: CB Asante Samuel

The Patriots slapped the franchise tag on Samuel to keep him under contract in 2007. He plays up to that franchise label. He intercepted 10 pass in 2006 and six more in 2007. He has great catchup speed and the hands of a wide receiver.

Both

Give the ball away at your own risk in this one. The Patriots scored six defensive touchdowns and the Giants five. Six Patriots scored on defense, and four Giants did. Giants linebacker Kawika Mitchell was the only double-dipper, returning a fumble and an interception for scores. New York forced only 25 turnovers but converted them into 17 scores and 102 points.

1. Put a Brand on the Pats. The Giants always have been and always will be a running team, whether it's Phil Simms, Kerry Collins or Eli Manning at quarterback. When New York gets close, the ball will be handed off to 264-pound tailback Brandon Jacobs.

2. Who's the Boss? The play-action pass to Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey was a favorite in the Tom Coughlin playbook. But with Shockey gone with a broken leg, Kevin Boss will be on the receiving end. At 6-6, he's a huge target.

3. Jump ball. Plaxico Burress is 6-5, giving him at least a five-inch height edge over all four cornerbacks. Manning will throw fade routes that put Burress in jump-ball situations.

1. Keep throwing. The NFL's best passing team will throw any time, any place. Moss scored 10 of his 23 TDs on passes of 10 yards or less. Tom Brady will also swing the ball to Kevin Faulk, flip it to Wes Welker on quick outs or get it to Mike Vrabel off play-action.

2. Gopher power. Including the playoffs, halfback Laurence Maroney scored eight TDs, and seven were of 6 yards or less. Once the Pats cross the 10, look for Maroney. His legs also set up play-action to Vrabel.

3. Variety prevails. Belichick likes to keep defenses guessing, as 13 players scored offensive TDs. If a Heath Evans or a Kyle Eckel is in the backfield, don't rule him out.

Run.

New England's linebackers average 257 pounds. Brandon Jacobs (264) is one of the few NFL backs with a size advantage over a linebacker in the hole. Send 266-pound blocking fullback Madison Hedgecock through the line ahead of Jacobs, and New York's size takes a physical toll on defensive fronts.

Pass.

Brady is one of the best play-action passers in the game. He'll fake a handoff to Maroney, put the ball on his hip and then lob it to his tight end. Defenses can't stack the line for the run, because every down is a passing down for the Patriots. Brady threw four TDs of 1 yard and three more of 2 yards.