With the Ravens determined to back up their claim as the best defence in NFL history and the Giants defence looking for respect, points should be at a premium when Baltimore and New York clash tomorrow.
Last year's Super Bowl, a nail-biter won by the St Louis Rams when the Tennessee Titans fell a yard short of forcing overtime on the last play, will be a tough act to follow.
But 10 years after Tampa hosted the closest Super Bowl - a 20-19 Giants victory over Buffalo - pundits and players are predicting the lowest scoring affair in the game's 35-year history. "It will probably be a suspenseful drama," said Giants defensive end Michael Strahan.
"Whoever scores first could win. Whoever scores three points could win. This is going to be a defensive battle and anybody that truly loves football will enjoy it."
The Ravens and Giants were not among the favourites to make a trip to Tampa Bay at start of season.
Baltimore went 8-8 last season, while the 7-9 Giants appeared to be a team in disarray. Each staged a dramatic turnaround this season and both ended the regular season with impressive 12-4 records.
Giants running back Tiki Barber said the matching records are not the only similarities. "Both these teams have overpowering defences, and offences that have been inconsistent at times," he said.
The often anaemic Ravens offence went five straight games in October without scoring a touchdown and yet, on the back of their excellent defence, still managed two victories.
The finale could just as easily be called the Redemption Bowl given the number of players for whom the game is a chance to make good.
Ravens quarterback Trent Dilfer was last year dumped by Tampa Bay for not being good enough to get the Bucs to a Super Bowl.
"They said he couldn't get the job done, (but) he's here and they're not and that speaks volumes," said Baltimore's standout linebacker Ray Lewis.
Lewis himself was arrested last year in connection with a double murder at a Super Bowl party in Atlanta. The charges were later dropped and he went on to be named NFL defensive player of the year.
On the other team there is quarterback Kerry Collins, a recovering alcoholic who had earned such a bad reputation around the NFL that the Giants were the only team to show any interest in him after he was cut by New Orleans.
The Ravens have knocked the opposing starting quarterbacks out of all three of their playoff games. "They don't do anything fancy. They just basically line up and kick people's butts," said Collins.
