February 5, 2012
Super Bowl at the “Crossroad of America” (Indy)
The Super Bowl long ago became another holiday in the USA, bringing people together to enjoy the super-hyped finale to the NFL season. While families gather for Christmas and Thanksgiving, the Super Bowl gives Americans a chance to party with friends.
To gauge how highly Americans think of this event, it’s important to note that each Super Bowl is numbered by Roman numerals. In Sunday’s XLVI edition (that’s Super Bowl 46 for you non-history majors), the New England Patriots clash with the New York Giants in what is called one of the best matchups in recent memory.
The game is a rematch of Super Bowl XLII (42), when Eli Manning and the Giants spoiled the 
18-0 Patriots’ quest for a perfect season. Manning threw the winning touchdown pass with 35 seconds left in the game to give Tom Brady (right) his only loss in four Super Bowl appearances.
Brady will hope for a different ending in his fifth trip to the NFL’s Promised Land, but will be wary of the Giant-killers from New York. The Giants sneaked into the playoffs with a 9-7 record which was good enough to win their division.
After a comfortable home win over the Atlanta Falcons, New York produced a shock by beating the defending champion Green Bay Packers on the road. Their ticket to Indianapolis was punched after an overtime victory in San Francisco against the 49ers.
The Patriots, on the other hand, rolled into the postseason on an eight-game win streak, finishing with a 13-3 record. Brady threw six touchdown passes in a home rout of Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos to set up a matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Brady and company escaped thanks to a missed field goal by the visiting team in the closing seconds.
Now that the stage is set for a Giants-Patriots rematch, neutral fans can only hope for a good game, but are sure to make the most of the event nonetheless. At the end of the day, the play on the field itself is largely a backdrop to a number of entertaining treats throughout the Super Bowl including the funny commercials and spectacular halftime show.
Advertisers annually mark the Super Bowl on their calendar and, with more than 110 million Americans expected to tune in on Sunday, are sure to debut memorable commercials they hope will make an impression. Hope is the key word of course, as a 30-second spot will cost them $3.5 million.
Sunday’s halftime show is highlighted by Madonna, who will make her Super Bowl debut, joining an impressive list of past performers including The Rolling Stones, The Who, U2, Prince, Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. The legendary pop singer has promised that there will be no wardrobe malfunction, similar to the one in 2004 when viewers got a glimpse of Janet Jackson’s chest.
The rematch between the Giants and Patriots is a mouthwatering affair that should live up to expectations. But no matter what we see on the field on Sunday, Americans will be happy to fire up the grill, prepare a pot of chili and have chips and dip ready for the occasion.
Posted by: CNN World Sport Producer, Sam Krumov
Din Merican: the Malaysian DJ Blogger 
My money (rm10) is on the New England Patriots to emerge victorious at Indy today. All the best to Tom Bady and his team. Eli Manning cannot be lucky twice.–Din Merican
I don’t know why but I think this is among the dullest sports I’ve ever seen along with baseball and cricket. Can never stay awake when watching it. Thank God there’s the English Premier League in existence.
I don’t follow this sport much but good luck to them.
I thought you gals like to play ball? Anyway Patriots is the favorite to win. That’s all you need to know.
If you know how much Tom Brady makes which is a cool USD20 million a year you gals may want to have another look. Not at Tom Brady but at the game. Brady is married to a Brazilian model.
Football is all about strategy, strategy to move the ball towards the goal line and at the same time to trick your opponent with various moves by the quarter back during hut hut move. Two set of players are employed here. The offense and the defense. The defense are the guys built like refrigerators while the offense are smaller but nimble and can run fast.
Watch the Super Bowl and have a football fan explain the moves and you’ll learn real quick and appreciate the game. Also listen to the live commentators explaining the moves.
Yes. It is like a chess game. Tactics and strategies. But if you prefer a less taxing game mentally and prefer a round ball to one not quite round, then soccer would be the game to watch.
Semper,
I would rather watch Rugby match. At least, you don’t just stop there. While strategising moves, you also constantly on the move, tackling opponents at the same time.
Scarlet/Bean suk,
Nah! Rugby world cup
South Africa won against All black
The final
My Team NY GIANTS won 17 – 15 … lol
ooops …. 21-17