New York will look to their offensive line to open holes for 270lb running back Brandon Jacobs - their outstanding player in the win at Wembley in October.

Jacobs and his running mate the tiny (by NFL standards) Ahmad Bradshaw are used by the Giants to control the ball on the ground and therefore the game clock.

If the do so, they will keep New England's offence off the field and thereby keep the game close.

Patriots rushers Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk have been effective in the play-offs but are an option they normally only use on teams focusing too much on their passing game.