If you need an indication of how vital the kicking game can be, remember all three of the Patriots Super Bowl wins have been by three-point margins, two with last-second field goals.

Adam Vinatieri kicked both for the Patriots but has since moved on and his successor, Stephen Gostkowski, has yet to prove himself in a clutch situation.

Scottish-born kicker Lawrence Tynes was the Giants' hero when he hit the 47-yard game-winning field goal against Green Bay.

But he had already missed two opportunities to secure a place in the Super Bowl and has been inconsistent all year.