By KURT KRAGTHORPE

| The Salt Lake Tribune

Indianapolis • Four years ago, the New York Giants were nearly two-touchdown underdogs against then-unbeaten New England before staging a 17-14 upset in Super Bowl XLII.

In Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVI, the Patriots are favored by only about a field goal. Even with that shift, Giants coach Tom Coughlin is sticking to his story.

At a glance

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Super Bowl XLVI

Sunday at Indianapolis

New England vs. N.Y. Giants, 4:20 p.m.

TV » Ch. 5

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"It’s still us against the world, and that’s how we approach that, period," Coughlin said Thursday.

"I’ve seen a lot of the stuff that’s been said in terms of where we are. We’re still the underdog, and we still have an awful lot to prove."

In the NFC championship game, San Francisco was favored over the Giants by about the same point spread as the Patriots. New York was a decided underdog against Green Bay in the divisional playoffs.

Gronk’s recovery

New England tight end Rob Gronkowski said the choice of whether to play Sunday is up to him. He believes the circumstances will affect his ankle’s healing. "When it comes to game time, it will be a whole lot different," he said. "It’s the Super Bowl. The adrenaline rush will be going wild. It will be crazy."

A similar road

As they did the last time they played in the Super Bowl, the Giants have won three playoff games to get here. They also won their past two regular-season games to make the playoffs, so they have considerable momentum.

That path is "definitely more energizing," said safety Antrel Rolle, "but at the same time it’s been draining. … I think people really don’t understand what it has taken for us to get to this point."

Bill Belichickgets personal

Patriots coach Bill Belichick reveals little of his personality in interviews, but he made an impact with his players the night before the team’s first playoff game against Denver.

"It was an amazing speech," said defensive lineman Mark Anderson. "Bill basically went through each player and told him the reason why he brought us here. … He personally picked out each and every one of us. Everybody has a job to do, and it’s up to us to do that job."

On the line