The 2007 New England Patriots are chasing the one team which has gone undefeated during the Super Bowl era of the NFL - those 1972 Dolphins. The Pats' run has been nothing short of remarkable, winning 6 games during the regular season against 2007 playoff teams, with three of those victories (the Cowboys, Colts and Giants) coming on the road. Several other games were over by half time with the Patriots  shattering several NFL offensive records. While the most potent offense in NFL history has received most of the accolades, the Pats defense has come through several times in key situations, especially in those three games mentioned above.

The 2007 Patriots are expected to win today's AFC title game against the San Diego Chargers and head to Super Bowl 42. The pro game has evolved since the 1972 season, with the passing game taking control over stout rushing attacks. New England will keep doing what has been successful all season - spread the field and allow Tom Brady and a plethora of receiving weapons to win the game.

But, as well as the Pats have played in their road to perfection, another team still left in the playoffs is actually PLAYING LIKE THE 1972 Dolphins - tough running game, stout defense and no mistakes from the quarterback.

That team is the New York Giants.

In the 1972 playoffs, the Dolphins were behind in the second half in games against the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers. During the Wild Card round, if not for a great catch by Paul Warfield and a costly interference penalty against the Browns on the Dolphins’ final drive, the Dolphins do not go undefeated. But, they won the game 20-14 mainly due to a punishing running attack, gaining 198 of their 272 yards on the ground, being led by the trio of Csonka, Kiick and Morris. The no-name defense forced five interceptions and 6 Cleveland punts, while their maligned QB situation (Morrall vs. Griese) did not make any mistakes.

This is similar to the Giants first game against the Tampa Bay Bucs. Down in the game early, the Giants used a relentless pass rush to pester Jeff Garcia the second half and held the Bucs to 69 yards rushing and 271 yards overall. Eli Manning did not make any mistakes and the Giants won the turnover margin with three takeaways while committing no turnovers.

In the Dolphins second game of the 1972 playoffs, Pittsburgh had a 10-7 lead in the third period before using the same Modus Operandi with 193 yards rushing, while holding the Steelers to 250 total yards. The Dolphins did throw one interception but committed only two penalties.

Meanwhile, the Giants last week were behind in the third quarter before coming back against the Cowboys. Despite losing the statistics battle, the Giants did not commit key penalties, committed no turnovers, while the defense (specifically coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) turned up their vaunted pass rush in the fourth period to stifle Cowboys QB Tony Romo.

Have you noticed the recurring trend towards winning playoff games in the NFL? Do not make mistakes and play effective, if not downright great defense. The 1972 Dolphins followed this blueprint to an undefeated season, while the 2007 Giants have resurrected this method in advancing to today’s NFC title game. Although the Giants rushing stats are not quite the same as the Dolphins’, the Giants have run the ball effectively when needed, and Eli has converted key third downs with accurate, mistake free passing.

Both those Dolphins and these Giants committed a handful of penalties and limited their turnovers. In fact, the Giants have not committed a turnover in the two playoff games this year! Also, both teams did not throw the ball as often in the playoffs, with the Dolphins only throwing the ball 41 times during the entire 1972 postseason!

If Eli Manning can limit mistakes today in Green Bay, the Giants have a good chance to win the game. This is because the Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw duo can recreate the Csonka-Kiick-Morris tandem and grind out a relentless rushing attack. In the freezing cold at Lambeau Field, punishing runners will have the advantage, while passing attacks can falter.

While the Pats should get to the Super Bowl this season with their offensive firepower, the Giants could get there using a tried and true formula – tough defense and mistake free offense. It was good enough for the 1972 Dolphins and could possibly be good enough 35 years later.

The old adage appears true: the more things change, the more they stay the same.

The 2007 Giants certainly hope so.