Michael Strahan thinks Big Blue could win it all

The Giants certainly seem confident they can make a run at Super Bowl XLVI. But they're not the only ones. At least one very prominent former Giant agrees.

"I think it's legitimate,'' Fox analyst Michael Strahan said Thursday after interviewing players at MetLife Stadium for Sunday's pregame show. "I think the Giants' chances are as good as anybody's.''

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"They can score points,'' said Strahan, who retired after the Super Bowl XLII victory. "There are two factors for this team: One is to get the running game going, because Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw are very physical, effective backs.

"And defensively it's about holding up on the back end and getting to the quarterback on the front end.''

Strahan said getting past Atlanta won't be easy. "It's a team that is pretty balanced, plays good defense and has a good running back and dangerous receivers, and I think Matt Ryan has something to prove in the playoffs.''

But if the Giants win and the Saints beat the Lions, the Giants will be back in Green Bay, site of their NFC title coronation after the 2007 season.

"That would be amazing,'' Strahan said. "They had an opportunity to play them once before , so they go in without a fear factor . . . And that [Packers] defense gives up a lot of points.''

Hmm . . .