Poll time: Whom do you hate less, Giants or Patriots?
Tom Brady (3 Super Bowl rings). Eli Manning (one Super Bowl ring, better guy).
The fact the New York Giants and New England Patriots will meet in the Super Bowl has one obvious bright side for the rest of the sports world: In two weeks, either New York or Boston sports fans are going to be miserable.
Giants vs. Patriots. Really? We have to pick?
Is there a sentimental favorite here?
OK, here’s my list of factors. And there’s a poll to the left and space below for you to weigh in on your choice.
Loading ...• Fans: New York is tied for having the most obnoxious pro sports fans in the nation. It is tied with Boston. But for some reason when Boston teams go down, it’s just funnier. I mean, not that the Red Sox going down in flames last season made up for the Braves doing the same. But it was close. Likeability edge: Giants.
• Falcons’ postseason nightmares: Last season, the Falcons and Patriots each were No. 1 seeds and got bounced in their first playoff game. Arthur Blank and Robert Kraft commiserated over a bowl of soup. This year, the Falcons were pounded by New York in the first round. The Patriots figured out their problems and won. More soup for Arthur — this time alone. Likability edge: Patriots.
• Celebrity element: Actresses Kate and Rooney Mara are in the family tree of the Mara family, longtime owners of the New York Giants. Patriots owner Bob Kraft has four sons. Big time likability edge: Giants.
• Coaches: Tom Coughlin isn’t Mr. Cuddles. But the guy has t0 meet with the New York media every day, which would drive anybody crazy, and I think he has been fired like 57 times in the tabloids. Bill Belichick never has been on the verge of being fired. The dark side of The Force is more powerful than you can imagine, Luke. Likeability edge: Giants.
• Cinematography: Belichick’s camera angles are superior to any other coaches. Finding the camera is the problem. Likability edge: Giants.
• Quarterbacks: Eli Manning isn’t supposed to be as good as his older brother, Peyton. but he may be on the verge of passing him in Super Bowl wins. Eli also just seems like a good guy. Tom Brady has won more Super Bowls (three) than both Manning brothers together. But he also left his pregnant girlfriend (Bridget Moynahan) for a super model (Gisele Bundchen). You lose serious good-guy points for that, no matter what Gisele looks like. Likeability edge: Giants.
• History: The Giants are 3-1 in Super Bowls. They seem to know how to win these things. The Patriots are 3-3 in Super Bowls, having lost to the Giants four years ago after going 18-0 (regular season and playoffs). That was kind of funny. Worth seeing again? Likeability edge: Giants.
By my criteria, it’s overwhelming. Do you have a pick? Or do you hate both?
The cyber floor is yours.
By Jeff Schultz
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152 comments Add your comment
gtne80
January 23rd, 2012
4:59 pm
As a true Atlanta native, I despise New York City and anything associated with New York.
recently moved from Sandy springs to boston
January 23rd, 2012
5:02 pm
been here for about 15 months now. there is no mention whatsoever of NCAA athletics up here. Boston College is a complete afterthought. Ga Southern and Wofford probably get better press coverage and sports talk radio than BC.
That being said, the pro teams are followed – with vigor. Pats fans are rabid. Same as Bruins, Red Sox, and Celtics. the sports radio is filled with caller after caller after caller ranting about one of these pro teams. Yes, I’ve learned to hate them, but for a pro franchise – the passion in their fanbase is tremendous.
G
January 23rd, 2012
5:06 pm
It’s going to be a great superbowl. Why? Because the Aints ain’t in it!
David
January 23rd, 2012
5:09 pm
I just hope they have good Super Bowl commercials this year…….But do agree that the Aints not being in it makes it tolerable.
Justsaying
January 23rd, 2012
5:17 pm
Ochocico’s first Super Bowl. WOW!! Get Your popcorn ready. Go Pats!!
Justsaying
January 23rd, 2012
5:18 pm
Ochocinco’s First SB. Go Pats!!
juice sourcer
January 23rd, 2012
5:45 pm
New York and Boston…Winnersville, USA…Atlanta…Losersville, USA….as people who live in Atlanta should we not hate Atlanta’s pro sports teams?
dave
January 23rd, 2012
5:46 pm
I will root for the Giants. That way, when people talk about the Falcons losing to the Giants in the playoffs, I can say, “Well, everybody lost to the Giants in the playoffs.”
And besides that, I like the Giants brand of football.
ReeseinDade
January 23rd, 2012
5:51 pm
I can only hope they both lose.
Felix
January 23rd, 2012
5:51 pm
Can’t believe that so many want a New York team to win. Half the reason I can’t stand the Mets is because they are from New York. The other half goes all the way back to the 1980s.
Go Pats!
oldbird
January 23rd, 2012
5:59 pm
May the earth open up and swallow them all. Seriously, I will root against New England.
Carolina DAWG
January 23rd, 2012
6:05 pm
My peopole ACROSS THE RIVER are for the GIANTS ONLY because of ELI – he’s one of ours SEC!!!!!!!!!!!
William Coxworth Whiteman
January 23rd, 2012
6:31 pm
I sir, shall pull for the Patriots! They do more with white athletes than any other sports franchise!
Boston Dawg
January 23rd, 2012
6:54 pm
I’m from Georgia but now live in Boston. Patriots fans are as obnoxious and arrogant as they come. I can’t think of anything more satisfying than a Patriots loss in the Super Bowl.
CGD..
January 23rd, 2012
7:53 pm
dawg tired
January 23rd, 2012
2:45 pm
“Watching the wins by the 9-7 Giants were depressing as a Falcons fan. Eli Manning can hit players in stride, Nicks and Cruz can catch a pass without dropping it, the Giants O-line can get a push to get short yardage for a first down and the Giants D can put pressure on the opposing quarterback to get a 3 and out. Even Jacobs can out run defenders once he breaks free.
I feel like I have been sold a bill of goods on Ryan and the Falcons.”
Your onto something Sir!
Matt Ryan is one of the most overrated Throw Back Obsolete QB’ in the league today!Cant win the money game cause he does not have the talent…
Giants will git’er done!
Flacco> Ryan for less than half the price!
30 million vs. 72 million… We have been sold a “bill of Goods”
Blank still shooting Blanks!
dawg4u
January 23rd, 2012
8:09 pm
I grew up as a huge NY Yankee fan even though born in Georgia. I loved listening to Dizzy Dean and Pee Wee Reese doing Yankee games in the early sixties on the “game of the week.” I am now a Braves and Falcons fan but always root for New York teams unless playing Atlanta. I really root hard for NY teams especially when playing Boston (New England) or Philly.
Amanda
January 23rd, 2012
8:55 pm
The only thing better than the Giants beating the Patriots before would be if they did it again….GO GIANTS!!!!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 23rd, 2012
10:32 pm
Spoke like “True” LOSERS, hating on another team because your qb is a CHOKE.
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 23rd, 2012
10:33 pm
Yet another team using the Falcants as a Practice squad to prep for the real playoffs…………
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 23rd, 2012
10:41 pm
3 Straight teams going to superbowl after PUNKING CHOKE………….
That could be some sort of world record……………..
HA HA HA
Once Recent Reader
January 23rd, 2012
11:23 pm
Well as a long-time Pats fan (who likes the Falcons) I’m going with the NE. Funny, never had any hatred towards the Giants. Actually still don’t even after their stopping the perfect season for the Pats in the SB. I guess most NE fans would not like the Jets at this point. It used to be the Dolphins in the 80’s as we never could beat them . . . .and of course the Raiders in the 70’s due to Jack Tatum hit on Stingley, the play-off game where Raiders were saved by roughing the passer . . .I think Steve Grogan was a rookie or 2nd year QB at that time . . . .I was a teen! Then again – just about everyone outside of Oakland disliked the Raiders back then due to their questionable style of play. But “hating” a team . . . . my Mom always said when you hate you have no room for love in your heart:) Good old Mom!
sports
January 23rd, 2012
11:55 pm
compared to the Giants and Patriots the sucking Falcons are a merebump in the road. Alabama would beat the falcons by 20 in the Georgia Dome and everybody knows it. I doubt that bunch would cross mid-field.
Russ555
January 24th, 2012
12:32 am
Got to pull for Eli. That means the Giants so be it.
tom richmond
January 24th, 2012
4:03 am
I’m a lifelong Giants fan, and a cinematographer. My brother is a journalist and co-hosts a weekly radio show based on the premise of Giants miserable-ism; basically the idea that being a Giants fan is pure torture. I really really like this little article.
comment: Tom Coughlin is not a terrible coach, nor is he a great coach. I’ve concluded that he isn’t actually a coach at all. He’s the best Mascot in the NFL. Go Giants !
William
January 24th, 2012
4:35 am
Got to go with the NFC Giants since they beat the Falcons. Eli seems to be a nice guy. Too bad the Falcons are not in it. Maybe one day they will be. Let’s hope for a good game. Hate to watch two other teams play a bad game.
legionaire
January 24th, 2012
5:36 am
Went to a spring training game in Sarasota one year Yanks-White Sox. The NY “fans” made it so miserable yelling, cursing , and ragging on the players, we left. The same morons are Giants fans. That does not let the know it all, smarter than you, condescending screwballs who elect Ted Kennedy and Barney Frank over and over off the hook. It is a push as far as I am concerned. Don’t care.
Doctor Dawg
January 24th, 2012
8:14 am
This is an easy one. The Patriots all the way. I can not stand anything New York that is sports related. I bet if the Falcons were as successful as the Patriots no one around here would mind. Anytime any team can beat a team from New York is a good thing. So yeah, definitely the Patriots are the team that I want to win.
Doctor Dawg
January 24th, 2012
8:16 am
Oh yeah, BTW…..trust me, I’m a doctor,
.
61 year Braves Fan
January 24th, 2012
8:45 am
Patriots season ticket holder for 43 years. They have the greatest owner, coach, and quarterback in
football history. Respect the Giants but we are going to win this one. Also wish the Braves had an owner like Bob Kraft.
Cecil34
January 24th, 2012
8:46 am
Belichick is about the closest thing to Lombardi or Walsh that the NFL has.
He is way ahead in terms of intellect than any other NFL head coach.
That is not to say that he is not weird – when he pulls up that hoodie, I swear he looks like the Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars. He gets uglier looking every year.
I would say the Patriots will win – I am not excited about this SB one iota.
Taxi Smith
January 24th, 2012
8:56 am
Don’t hate the Giants at all! I’ve been a Giants fan since the Sam Huff/Charley Connerly days. The Pats? Latecomers. I predict a close game, NY by 6.
SawThat1nce
January 24th, 2012
9:36 am
Shultz, you’re poll should have included a 4th choice of –
O I wish there was some way that they could both lose.
SawThat1nce
January 24th, 2012
9:38 am
I’m just proud that the Falcons were once again eliminated in the playoffs by another SB team.
SawThat1nce
January 24th, 2012
9:38 am
Not really. It sux.
TD has no clue!
January 24th, 2012
9:51 am
I HATE ALL NY TEAMS.
Mr. Thomas Anthony Jones, SR
January 24th, 2012
11:46 am
The Giants wipe the field up that two-timing Brady and his cheating lying Head Coach. God is on the Giants side because the Patriots have no morals what so ever.
SawThat1nce
January 24th, 2012
12:29 pm
I thought that Bridgett was prettier than Gisele. Gisele must be more bendy.
SawThat1nce
January 24th, 2012
12:31 pm
Coughlin is a pretty good coach.
native New Yorker
January 24th, 2012
12:37 pm
GO GIANTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! beat the Bake Bean Patriots.
BloodthirstyPatterson
January 24th, 2012
5:13 pm
I probably hate the giants less than the patriots. What bothers me about this matchup is that I believe there are two teams playing in this game that shouldnt be playing in it. Granted they both advanced past the competition put in front of them, but I think the patriots were LUCKY to beat the Ravens because the Ravens kicker missed a chip shot FG to lose the game for his team. Meanwhile, I believe the Giants were fortunate that when they played the packers that the packers Wide Receivers were dropping so many balls. Had those receivers caught those passes–clearly the momentum for the DEFENDING CHAMPION packers would STRONG AND FAST and I feel tht the Packers would have blown out the giants by at least 30 points. packers would have then repeated as champions because most of the hall of fame quarterbacks feel that Aaron Rogers is the greatest quarterback in NFL history. I totally agree with that myself. Also, if bill belechek and the patriots win the title, it still wont be respected as much as former Steelers coach Chuck Noll’s four titles because the Steelers have never been involved in a SPY-GATE scandal, and more importantly the Patriots have been suspected of even cheating in some of their previous superbowl wins. There will always be scandal associated with Bill Belechek and his Patriots regardless of how many titles they get.
1danielbell
January 24th, 2012
5:23 pm
Bump Tom Brady and his Uggs.
Dirtybirdsin12
January 24th, 2012
5:29 pm
I’d much rather see the Patriots win after watching Hakeem Nicks mock the Dirty Bird. No need to insult my 13 year old self after scoring a TD 14 years later. I also have a lot more respect for Brady than Eli. I would like to see Brady win another one so we can put the best QB of this generation argument to rest. Brees and Peyton have been great, but Brady is easily the most accomplished QB of my lifetime.
Deb
January 25th, 2012
12:18 am
“The worst fans in sports world” this from a bunch of ATL hacks! LMAO!!!
Braves never sell out playoff games & the Falcons, who cares. Stick to what ur good at, strip clubs and the SEC.
Jax Falcon/Dog Fan
January 25th, 2012
10:01 am
Ouch, Deb – that hurt. Sometimes the truth does that.
I’m pulling for the Giants mainly because of Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning. As far as obnoxious fans in New York – don’t mistake Yankee and Giant fans for those of the hated Mets and Jets. Met/Jet fans have to be the loudest, most obnoxious fans this side of Philly.
Brian Friel
January 25th, 2012
11:44 am
The Giants weren’t nearly as good 3 years ago as they are now, since they’re healthy. This is a coaches matchup. Coughlin got the best of Brady last time with lesser talent. And the Patsies defense is not as good. As for Bellichick, he hasn’t won a Super Bowl since he strayed from defensive drafts.
Giants 27
Patsies 17
Boston Fan
January 25th, 2012
4:38 pm
Atlanta has a football team?
diane
January 26th, 2012
2:22 am
Lmao you are such an idiot..if you ever watch tv neews talk shows ect you would know that tom and bridgit had a mutual breakup..and tom was single for quite a while before gisselle. Are u really that bitter that u need to say such stupid bs? And people believe this? You are a moron..I hope the patriots kick ny assssss..I’m so sick and tires of hearing negative things about the patriots wtf does his personal lifee have to do with football anyways..lmao you shouldn’t exist..
diane
January 26th, 2012
2:29 am
Also other teams were in on the spygate crap..the things you people say are so stupid..I hkope you doont have children I feel vsorry for them wow
No SuperBowl
January 27th, 2012
11:32 am
Unless you live or you’re from New York / Boston…the rest of the country could CARE LESS, it’s just an excuss to party! Crap game first time and crap game the second time as well!!! But the NFL process is still better than BCS process!!!
The Mannings Have Funny Necks
January 27th, 2012
1:11 pm
One minor clarification, Brady TECHNICALLY left his pregnant girlfriend for a super model. However, she didn’t know she was pregnant when he left her. So I don’t think it make him a bad guy for breaking up with a girlfriend.