In the quiet shadow of the Tim Tebow-hyped New York Jets, the Giants are working to become the first team to repeat since the 2004 New England Patriots.
For quarterback Eli Manning, that could mean facing his older brother Peyton in their home town of New Orleans.
“Obviously, it’s my goal to get back to the Super Bowl and win and it’s Peyton’s goal as well,” Eli said. “It would be good and bad playing against your brother in a Super Bowl. I know my parents would hate it.
“But if Peyton and I do meet in the Super Bowl, it would be good for the game of football, be exciting for fans and be a great story.”
It would be the perfect dream ending to a remarkable comeback story: Peyton Manning, coming off a year away from football following cervical spinal fusion surgery, leading his new Denver Broncos to a showdown against the defending champions.
With Super Bowl XLVII being staged where the Mannings grew up, it would be a tricky situation for dad and former Saints legend Archie Manning and his wife, Olivia.
Peyton brushes off the hype.
“Coach John Fox and John Elway talk about it every day with the team, working hard and our goal is to be world champions,” Peyton said. “It’s hard to think about at this point. All you think about is your team and doing what you have to do. Playing Eli would be tough on a lot of people.
“I pull hard for Eli. Obviously, if the Broncos can’t win it, I’d like the Giants to win it. Myself and the Broncos are working hard to try and make that happen here.”
Eli starts his Super Bowl defence on Wednesday, 5 September, in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. Peyton’s Broncos start their campaign on Sunday, 9 September, against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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