10 Questions with Pats Pulpit, Part 2

Here are the last five questions in our two-part 10 Questions with Pats Pulpit.

The answers from Tom Masse were interesting in Part 1, and I think you'll find the same in the Q&A below. He gives the Giants much more credit than some of the mouthy trolls who have been visiting.

Anyway, here are the final five questions.

Big Blue View: Which Giants' offensive player are you most concerned about?

Pats Pulpit: Until today's injury report, it was Plaxico Burress. He's tall, he's fast, and he's a playmaker. And when he lines up covered one-on-one by Ellis Hobbs, Burress has a significant advantage. We saw it on the first play of the game in Week 17. But Burress hasn't practiced this week, and if he's well below 100 percent, that could have an impact.

Besides Burress, you have a choice of the three running backs. They're all more than capable. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw are the likely candidates, but it's hard to be more concerned about one over the other. They're both dangerous, and they both can do the job no matter the down or distance.

BBV: Which Giants' defensive player are you most concerned about?

Pulpit: Again, it's very hard to pick one player. The Giants have a very solid all-around defense; there aren't many holes. I'm going to say Michael Strahan because he has been outstanding in the playoffs, and he must be ridiculously fired up for Sunday. He's leading the Giants in the playoffs with 16 solo tackles, a sack and a pair of forced fumbles. He's playing like this is his shot -- that's a dangerous man.

BBV: Rank the 3 greatest single-season teams in the modern era. Say from 1970 forward.

Pulpit: My third-greatest single-season team since 1970 is the 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers. Without a doubt, a great team, but I was considering maybe three or four others, and took these Steelers because I can't blow all night on this. Those coupe Steelers-Cowboys Super Bowls of the mid- to late-'70s were some of the best.

My No. 2 team is the 1989 San Francisco 49ers. Joe Montana was phenomenal all season, including the playoffs. That team ended up 14-2 in the regular season, 17-2 when it was said and done. In the playoffs, they beat Minnesota, 41-13, the L.A. Rams, 30-3, and the Denver Broncos, 55-10. Their two regular season losses? The first was to those same Rams, 13-12, in Week 4, and to Green Bay, 21-17, in Week 11. Seven points from a perfect season, and some devastating wins in the playoffs.

My top team is the 1985 Bears, who destroyed New England, 46-10, in Super Bowl XX. I can't believe that was more than 20 years ago. I don't think much of Jim McMahon, which tells you how good that team was in every other position.

Whether the 2007 New England Patriots crack that group depends on Sunday.

BBV: Name one thing this Patriots team does not do well. Or, one player you think the Giants will try to exploit.

Pulpit: The Patriots have, on occasion, forgotten how to tackle. They hit and they don't wrap. And it's not just a player or two. It seems as though every player on the defense has been guilty at least once. The worst has been once an opponent gets to the second and third level, and a short gain turns into a big play.

I'll give you the bonus and answer the second question, too. As I mentioned earlier, Burress vs. Hobbs could be a key matchup, if Burress is good to go. Either way, I think the Giants will pick on Hobbs or any of the other backup cornerbacks.

BBV: A prediction, please.

Pulpit: This should come as little shock: I'll take New England. I haven't decided on a final score. I'll post one in my final game preview which I'll probably post Saturday afternoon. Hey, I like seeing the final injury report. I thought the original 14-point spread was way high, and I think the 11 or 12 that it remains is probably still a bit too many. I'm expecting a 6- to 8-point game.