Congrats to the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, who now get to defrost and meet each other two weeks hence in the more tranquil confines of Glendale, Arizona in the Super Bowl. While I’m sure New England will go into this game favored by somewhere between (I guess) 10-15 points, it ought to be good, hard-played game – if their most recent matchup the last week of the NFL regular season is any measure.

What impressed me today more than anything is how New England’s offense can throw so many different schemes at you. Tom Brady did not have a good game today, but so what? Between Kevin Faulk and Laurence Maroney, all they had to do was toss out that three tight-end offense and off they went. Given Maroney’s gritty performances over the past several weeks, this year’s edition of the Pats might very rank as the most talented, multi-faceted team to ever play the game. The fact that they are but one step away from a undefeated and truly historical season would appear to bear that out.

As for the Giants, all the attention will be on Eli Manning, but I have to tell you, he doesn’t impress me so much. The offensive coaches have obviously simplified their schemes so as to keep him from having to think too much and risk turning the ball over like he did before November came around. With Tom Coughlin as their coach, you know the ‘Gints can play smash-mouth football on both sides of the line, but, even with the atrocious conditions they played in at Green Bay tonight, anyone would have to admit the Packers stunk offensively and were lucky the score stayed as close as it did to the end.

So it’s off to Glendale and two weeks of Super Bowl hype. The only good thing about it is knowing that once the Super Bowl is over, I’m off to Las Vegas with the Goodboys the following weekend. Now THAT’S something to look forward to!