For obvious reasons, we resume our bitter relationship with one Lizzy right about now. She loves the Patriots; we try to explain to her that there are reasons her favorite NFL team is doomed on Sunday. And (hopefully) a good time ensues. You can be the judge, but please note that in terms of sheer volume we bombarded her 5 points to 3.

RandBall: Lizzy, your team is pursuing perfection. Your quarterback might be the best of all time. Your wide receiver might be the best of all time. Your coach might be the best of all time. Your team might be the best of all time. But we’re here to tell you that it could all come crashing down Sunday for five very simple reasons.

1) The Giants’ pass rush: Strahan and Umenyiora won’t get in there every time, but they will get in there sometimes. If they get in on the right two or three plays against Brady and his sore man-parts, when a sack or a pressure-induced turnover becomes a game-changer, the Patriots will be in trouble.

2) The running game: The Giants stuffed Ryan Grant in the NFC title game (though our sources indicate his decision-making might have been questionable). Regardless, he was the hotshot going in, and he wound up with 13 for 29. If the Patriots can’t get Maroney going, see No. 1, but add something to it.

3) Hubris: The Patriots are smug and act like they’re above it all (see: Spygate, Belichick, et. al). They have not paid the price — yet. Fate has been waiting for its moment in the sun. That moment will come Sunday.

4) Boston deserves it. Your heads are so big right now that 86 percent of people polled by the Boston Globe said they were glad the Sox didn’t get Johan Santana because they’d rather have the youngsters. Um, what? You’re not serious, right? Or have you gone from a curse to the notion that World Series titles grow on trees? No need to get better when you’re the best, right? Please.

5) The will of a nation demands it. Roughly 75 percent of folks will be rooting for the Giants. Yes, that plucky little team from New York will be the nation’s darling on Sunday. As Chuck Klosterman wrote in an excellent piece, the Patriots will become unforgettable moreso in defeat than victory. So sorry in advance.

Lizzy: You can’t stop destiny, Rand. No matter how hard you try. It’s been a surreal and magical year for Boston sports fans, and I haven’t taken anything for granted. Because for every year like the past one, there will be ten that stink. However, the Giants WILL lose on Sunday. And here’s why.

1. They’ve gotten too big for their britches. The Giants were very aware of their underdog status every single week of the playoffs. They went in to each game just hoping to be competitive. They didn’t talk smack to the press.  However, with Plaxico running his mouth at the media about how the
“Giants WILL win,” it’s clear that the “just play” mentality is gone.  Ego has taken over. And you’ve seen what happens when players declare during the week that they will beat the Patriots.

2. The Patriots will get Maroney going. Actually, Tom Brady had his worst game of the entire season against the Chargers two weeks ago. What happened you asked? Maroney stepped up for ran for 120 yards. The defense, on six red zone trips, allowed four field goals.  The offensive machine Patriots have been replaced with the Patriots of a few years ago. The ones who find a way to beat you every time, even if it’s ugly.

3. I won’t argue that Boston deserves it. Although anyone with half a brain knew that the Twins were absolutely not going to send Johan Santana to another American League team. And seriously, with the kind of time and money Santana was demanding, I’m not sure I would feel comfortable signing a pitcher for monster bucks through his 36th birthday. And if the Sox had traded Jacoby Ellsbury or Jon Lester, I would have been really issed-pay off-hay. The Sox have an ace in Beckett.  Although the story behind the story of all this is What About Pedro? Remember how diva he got over Schilling? Because lord knows he won’t be wearing the Pants of the Mets rotation anymore.

The Giants secondary can’t hold a candle to the Pats recievers. The Patriot defense has been downright scary over the last few weeks. And (yeah, I’M GONNA SAY IT) there’s no way the Giants win in Green Bay if Brett Farve hadn’t stunk so bad. If the Gunslinger had even had a mediocre game, it’s Green Bay and New England this Sunday.

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