Giants prediction: Big Blue's D to overwhelm Patriots

Defense wins championships.

While the NFL looked more like the Arena Football League this season, with prolific quarterback-driven offenses in Green Bay, New Orleans and New England averaging better than 32 points per game, the defense has risen during the playoffs - especially Big Blue's suddenly fearsome unit.

Armed with a proficient offense of their own that is averaging 27 points during the postseason, the Giants have also limited their three playoff opponents to just 13 points per game.

Big Blue held Tom Brady and company to 20 points during their regular-season visit to Foxborough on Nov. 6, matching New England's second-lowest total of the campaign.

The Giants also throttled the greatest offense in history on football's biggest stage four years ago in Glendale, Ariz., holding a Patriot attack that put up an NFL-record 589 points to only 14. Expect more of the same in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday night in Indianapolis. Giants 28, Patriots 17