Thirty-one teams began the season wanting nothing more than to play in one special game a week from now. Twenty-nine of those teams failed to reach that goal.

High-powered offenses like St. Louis and Minnesota were shut down. Crushing defenses like Tampa Bay and New Orleans were ripped apart. Balanced attacks like Oakland and Denver were just not enough.

So congratulations to New York and Baltimore – two very different teams that somehow produced the necessary chemistry to make it to the big dance.

So of the two squads left, which team should start packing for Disney World and which team will be sent packing?

For the first time in quite a few years, that’s a tough question.

At a glance, Baltimore looks stronger. Not in my lifetime, and maybe in the history of the NFL, has there existed a tougher defense than the Ravens’.

We’re talking about a defensive unit that helped win three of four games in which their offensive counterparts failed to score a touchdown. They’ve allowed the fewest points in this postseason than any team in the history of the NFL. They actually appear to be getting better as the season goes on.

And since replacing Tony Banks with Trent Dilfer at quarterback, Baltimore hasn’t had nearly the trouble it used to in finding the endzone.

That being said, the Giants will win the Super Bowl.

While not as dominating or down-right scary as the Ravens’, the Giants’ defense is no slouch. And while the Ravens’ offense isn’t as bad as it was, that’s a long way from being good. The G-men won’t have to score much to win this game.

Of course, most teams haven’t been able to score at all against the Ravens. But look for the Giants to go where few teams seem willing to go against Baltimore – vertical.

It seems an NFL rule that teams first have to establish the run and then use the passing game to complement the rushing attack. But nobody’s running on Baltimore, and New York knows that.

Everybody could run on the Vikings, but the Giants didn’t bother trying in last week’s NFC championship. Kerry Collins went deep early and often, and the Giants led 31-0 at the half.

When naming the stars of the Ravens’ defense – Ray Lewis, Tony Siragusa, Sam Adams – it’s a while before you get to the secondary. If this defense has a weak link, it’s there.

Most teams don’t have time to strike deep against Baltimore. Quarterbacks don’t usually have time to throw before Siragusa is using them to cushion his fall.

New York has two Pro-Bowlers on the offensive line, and even though Collins can’t handle pressure in his personal life, he’s not bad in the pocket.

Add in the fact that the Giants’ receivers are big-play guys who tend to play to the level of their competition, and you’ve got one, maybe two, long touchdowns that make the difference in the game.

Giants, 17-9.

Nick Adams is sports editor of the Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at (601) 445-3632 or e-mailed at nick.adams@natchezdemocrat.com.