It’s official, everyone – Super Bowl 2012 will be a rematch of 2007’s Super Bowl XLII. And as you all probably remember, that was a pretty interesting game. A little bit has changed since 2007: Eli Manning won’t be throwing to David Tyree, for one, which means we might find the game bereft of circus head-catches. And this time, Tom Brady and the Patriots aren’t going in with the perfect season on the line.
Though many of the big players remain the same, this Patriots-Giants matchup feels different. Eli is no longer just Peyton’s kid brother – He’s Eli Manning, Super Bowl winning quarterback. Neither team feels like an overwhelming favorite, so there’s not much of an underdog story that the media can play up this time. In fact, current odds place the Patriots at just a 3 point favorite to win the game on February 5th.
Though not everyone is as happy about the Patriots-Giants Super Bowl as Giants punter Steve Weatherford…
…the Twitterverse has exploded over news of the matchup:
@richarddeitsch
Richard DeitschI look forward to ESPN’s First Take debating the role Tim Tebow will have in the Giants-Patriots Super Bowl.
9 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@BobGlauber
Bob GlauberThe Giants can become the first 9-7 team to win the Super Bowl in NFL history. Only other 9-7 teams to play in SB: 1979 Rams, 2008 Cards. 9 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@DarthBlazer
DarthBlazerMore people will watch Nicolas Cage in Ghost Rider II than tune in for Super Bowl XLVI. Both audiences will leave completely unsatisfied. 9 hours ago via HootSuite · powered by @socialditto
@NotBillWalton
The Bill Walton TripMost of America is probably sick at the fact that NY & Boston are sending teams to the Super Bowl. It could be worse, Philly could be going. 8 hours ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto
@John_Lithgow
John_LithgowGiants vs Patriots in the Super Bowl and all is right with the world. 8 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@notmikedunleavy
Mike Faux DunleavyFortunately, no matter which team wins the Super Bowl, there will be a group of obnoxious fans to remind you about it for months. 3 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@jimgeraghty
jimgeraghtyPatriots and Giants. Man, I am really looking forward to the Super Bowl… commercials. 1 hour ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto
@garyvee
Gary VaynerchukWait this isn’t a nightmare? Giants and Pats are really going back to the Super Bowl? #vomit #you_cant_make_it_up 1 hour ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
@jimrome
Jim RomeAwesome day for the NFL, terrible day for Twitter. Better hit up Fry’s for a server or two before the Super Bowl. 10 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@Marcissist
Marc MastersRob Lowe is reporting that Eli Manning will play in the Super Bowl. 10 hours ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto
As you can see, not all sports fans are certain that the rematch will satisfy their Super Bowl appetites. One thing the Twitterverse could agree on, however, was that it was a bad day for Raven’s kicker Billy Cundiff, who missed a game-tying kick in pretty embarrassing fashion; and also Kyle Williams, who fumbled away the 49er’ chances in overtime.
@FauxJohnMadden
Faux John MaddenFUTURE BREAKING NEWS – Billy Cundiff murdered, Ray Lewis believed to be prime suspect. 15 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@gerrydulac
Gerry DulacDr Drew considering two-hour playoff special w guests Ike Taylor, Lee Evans, Billy Cundiff, Kyle Williams. 1 hour ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
@TheHogsdotNet
TheHogs.netSo who was the worst yesterday… Billy Cundiff, Kyle Williams or Stephen Tyler and his ‘national anthem’? 1 hour ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto
@BradBirdA113
Brad BirdThe Harbaugh bros will do a live reading of their new book “Billy Cundiff, Kyle Williams and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day” 6 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
@thesulk
Alec SulkinI’d like to wish Billy Cundiff a very merry Kickmiss. 10 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
@DownGoesBrown
Down Goes Brown“I’m not Kyle Williams!” – Tonight’s Billy Cundiff pickup line. 11 hours ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto
Despite your initial feelings about the upcoming game, we can all agree that if any play comes close to the awesomeness of this, it will have been a successful game:
Oh and if not, there’s always the fact that it’s the Super Bowl, which means lots of beer and lots of food. So nobody really loses, right?