New England star Tom Brady can capture his fourth Super Bowl title in seven years with a victory over the New York Giants on Sunday. (Winslow Townson/Associated Press)

The New England Patriots have only one more hurdle to clear to finish an unprecedented 19-0 and make NFL history.

Should the Patriots topple the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday they will become just the second franchise to go undefeated – with only the Miami Dolphins, who went 17-0 in 1972, completing a perfect season.

New England defeated the Giants in the final week of the regular season, but the game featured several anxious moments for the Pats. Trailing by 12 points in the third quarter, quarterback Tom Brady needed to engineer three scoring drives to hold off New York 38-35.

Many point to that game as the turnaround for the Giants, who entered the post-season as the fifth seed in the NFC. New York reeled off three impressive road victories, including wins against the Top 2 seeds in the conference – Dallas and Green Bay.

Maligned for most of the season, quarterback Eli Manning has been the driving force behind the Giants' remarkable playoff run and can join his brother Peyton as a Super Bowl champion with a win against the Patriots.

With the big game just days away, CBCSports.ca breaks down the key areas for both teams.

OFFENCE

Patriots: Led by the recorded-breaking seasons of Brady and wide receiver Randy Moss, the Patriots became the highest-scoring offence in NFL history with 589 points. While the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Diego Chargers have been able limit Moss in the playoffs, Brady was still able to spread the ball to receivers like Wes Welker, Donte' Stallworth, Jabar Gaffney and tight end Ben Watson. And if that's not enough, the Patriots backfield of Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk have become major threats down the stretch and in the playoffs.

Giants: Manning has come alive in the post-season, throwing four touchdown passes with no interceptions. Peyton's little brother was especially impressive in the NFC Championship game, outdueling Brett Favre on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Manning's main target is wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who manhandled Packers cornerback Al Harris en route to a 151-yard performance. The Giants' two-headed rushing attack of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw has also given the team great balance.

Advantage: The Patriots simply have too much firepower.

DEFENCE

Patriots: Although New England's defensive unit has been exposed at various times, the Patriots haven't allowed a post-season touchdown since the second quarter of their opening game against the Jaguars. The Patriots, who boasted the fourth highest-scoring defence in the regular season, have only allowed 32 points in two playoff games. New England won't wow you with any individual performers, but collectively, this unit seems to always stop opposing teams when it counts most.

Giants: The Giants led the NFL with 53 sacks in the regular season and are powered by pass rushers Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Michael Strahan. The pressure generated by the three have continued in the playoffs, allowing defensive backs R.W. McQuarters and Corey Webster to thrive with a combined five interceptions.

Advantage: New England's bend-but-don't-break philosophy should persist for one more game.

Giants QB Eli Manning outdueled Brett Favre on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field during the NFC title game. (Scott Audette/Associated Press)

SPECIAL TEAMS

Patriots: Stephen Gostkowski could play a deciding role on whether the Patriots remain perfect. The kicker was only called upon twice against Jacksonville, yet missed a 35-yard field goal in the second quarter when the game was still in doubt. The Patriots haven't had to rely on Gostkowski this season because of their explosive offence but in an all-or-nothing title game, they made need the services of their little-used kicker.

Giants: The team's return game has made a big impact in the post-season. Domenik Hixon has averaged 25.1 yards a kick return and can take it the distance at any point. Remember it was Hixon that returned a kickoff 74 yards for a touchdown against the Patriots in the final week of the regular season. But McQuarters's 25-yard punt return against Dallas may have been the biggest play for the Giants. His return set up New York's winning score and helped the Giants advance to the NFC title game.

Advantage: New York's return game usually gives Manning good field position to work with.

COACHING

Patriots: Already considered one the best coaches in NFL history, Bill Belichick has been able to keep his team focused each week by given the players of dose of what like to call "a slice of humble pie." As a great strategist, Belichick always prepares his team well and should the Patriots go on to defeat the Giants, the man notorious for his humdrum personality and hoodie sweatshirts may go down as the greatest coach off all time.

Giants: Tom Coughlin appeared to be the most likely coach to lose his job at the beginning of the season. However, the no-nonsense New York native has guided the Giants to 10 straight road wins, including three in the playoffs. The team has rallied around Coughlin like never before and a win on Sunday will only solidify that support.

Advantage: No coach handles in-game adjustments better than Belichick, who should raise the Lombardi Trophy for the fourth time in the last seven years.