I guess our definition of great is vastly different. In my book, the Patriots are elite. So are the Colts (the only team, IMO, that could beat the Patriots if both teams played well). Dallas, New York, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville....those would be "great" in my book.
I'm very much aware of each team's achievements. All I said was that I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants won. When it comes down to it, the Giants have played well enough to get the chance to play on the same field as the Patriots on this coming Sunday ... whether or not their road to the Super Bowl was impressive.
Again, I don't put the Giants in the same class as the Patriots. Fine, if you want to make the Pats belong to the class of "great" teams, then the Giants would be classified as "good." I put the Patriots in the "elite" class, and the Giants in the "great" class.
To make it simple from where I'm coming from: The Giants have shown during the regular season that they have the potential to play as well as Dallas had the entire season. Would Dallas be able to contend with the Patriots if both teams played well? Probably not, and I think the Patriots will win their fourth Super Bowl more convincingly than their win in Week 17. However, the Giants could have beaten the Patriots in week 17. All we need is for the Patriots to not play to their potential, and we could be looking at an 18-1 team. Again, I'm not suggesting that the Patriots WILL lose, merely that the possibility is very real...however minute.