Given that New York and Boston, two of the largest markets in the country, are participating in this weekend’s Super Bowl, the number of viewers for the contest will likely be through the roof. The fact that the Patriots remain undefeated doesn’t hurt, either. Both teams enter the game on hot streaks: the Patriots have won 18 in a row, while the Giants have won six of their last eight games, and their last ten road contests.

The teams faced off not too long ago. On Dec. 29, the final day of the regular season, the Giants took the Pats down to the wire before losing, 35-38. The Giants held a 12-point advantage at one point, but Pats QB and NFL MVP Tom Brady led a near-perfect comeback to close out the game.

A 16-0 regular season is no doubt impressive, but without a ring, it would be forever sullied. Both teams know that, and both want to make history. Once the game begins, though, the background noise will vanish, and the game will be as it should: in the hands of the players.