In the end, it was one of the greatest Super Bowls of all time. If you are a Giants fan, it was probably the greatest.

It wasn’t just that they won but how they won. Facing “The Greatest Team Ever,” the New York Giants were forced to stare down the immortal Tom Brady. And they did.

Here are my thoughts from the game:

If Asante Samuel catches that ball on the Giants’ final drive, we aren’t talking about Eli Manning today.

I know they say cornerbacks are just wide receivers that can’t catch, but you have to make that play. Instead of 19 and 0, it is 19 and Uh Oh.

The Manning scramble out of trouble and toss to wide receiver/special teams ace David Tyree is one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history.

It wasn’t the best decision to throw that ball up for grabs, because let’s be honest, Tyree isn’t Lynn Swann. But it worked. Tyree made a catch for the ages, clutching the ball between his hand and helmet as he was wrestled to the ground.

Memo to Giants General Manager Jerry Reese: Cut Jeremy Shockey.

It is painfully obvious that Manning relaxed and progressed as a quarterback after that guy broke his leg. Rookie Kevin Boss did an admirable job and the Giants have been more productive sans Shockey.

In the middle of the game, the Patriots had a drive stall on the Giants 31-yard line and faced 4th and 13. Send in kicker Stephen Gostkowski, right? Nope.

They passed up what would have been a 49-yard field goal to go for it on 4th and forever. This isn’t Bill Belichick being arrogant. This is Belichick not trusting his kicker.

Can we finally just come out and say that the Super Bowl commercials are no longer worth the hype?

I can’t believe the amount of money spent and that was the result. What a waste of time.
How good is the Giants defensive line?

Brady was harassed all day and never got comfortable. Sure, everyone says that you have to pressure Brady to win, but no one has been able to do it. The Giants did. Justin Tuck is a monster. Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora dominated a very talented Patriots’ offensive line. And it wasn’t just edge pressure, they were having jailbreaks up the middle. Pressure in the middle disrupts offenses completely.

An hour before the game, life was superb for Belichick.

He had an 18-0 team and was facing what was essentially an inferior opponent. Now, the perfect season is blown and he has some ’splainin’ to do to Senator Arlen Specter. If it is determined that he has been cheating this whole time – as is alleged by an unknown source with knowledge of the situation — and that he really did tape walkthrough practices of the Rams before the Super Bowl in 2002, this guy’s life and legacy could go south very quickly.
Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer thought it was ironic that Tyree played so well in the Super Bowl considering his recent practice.

“It was funny because at practice on Friday, [Tyree] was dropping everything,” Toomer said. “He dropped every ball. It goes to show he’s a tough guy and he represents our team well. We fight until the end and that’s why we win.”

Randy Moss was virtually invisible for the first half of the game.

The Giants game plan was to take away Moss on the deep routes. So, why did the Patriots go to the dink and dunk and ignore the intermediate come-back routes?

Give Reese a ton of credit for his 2007 draft class.

Aaron Ross, Steve Smith, Zak DeOssie, Kevin Boss, Michael Johnson, Jay Alford and Ahmad Bradshaw all played key roles throughout the playoff run. That’s very, very impressive.

Can someone tell me why the Patriots left Ellis Hobbs in single coverage on Plaxico Burress on the deciding touchdown?

That area of the field is where Burress is most dangerous. That is not a one-man job.

Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo just made himself some money.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder has been waiting to interview him for their vacant head-coaching position and you can better believe he watched Sunday’s game. Why even interview him? Spagnuolo should just mail him the Super Bowl game tape and wait for a contract offer.

But while the focus is on sports and Mexican journalists proposing to Tom Brady, I decided to look at what some people below the radar are doing to prepare for football’s annual gluttony festival.

Here in Boston, RC SILK is waiting for the final gun to sound so they can flip the switch on either the Patriots or the Giants Super Bowl XLII championship “locker room” t-shirts. The Giants one is traditional, while the Pats shirt makes specific mention of the “Perfect Season — 19-0.”

Reps from Reebok, whose label will be on all the shirts, are standing by at RC’s 20,000 sq. ft. facility in South Boston to help get the shirts to dealers.

“RC Silk is proud to offer its full production capabilities to this event: three fully automated, pneumatic/servo, multi color industrial printing presses, feeding a gas powered, 800,000 btu, 72″ belt drier,” the company said in an email Friday. “RC SILK operates the largest production shop in Boston.”

Over in East Boston, Danilchuk Auto Body is no stranger to ripping apart cars and trucks, but these guys get creative with it!

Danilchuk has done their part to crush the Giants in Boston. Beingin Boston, this auto shop gets to do this almost every year — they made similar displays of the Red Sox against the Rockies in the World Series and the Patriots versus the Panthers a few years back.

Finally, my favorite, Amber, the Louisville Zoo’s 20-year-old orangutan made her pick known by sporting a Patriots t-shirt.

Zoo officials laid two shirts out for her — Giants and Pats — and she walked right up to the 18-0 team’s shirt and threw it on.

Amber is not only a sports fan, but she’s also quite the fashionista. Her t-shirt prediction was part of the zoo’s “animal enrichment program.”

“Animal enrichment is an important aspect of animal management at the Louisville Zoo,” said Animal Training Supervisor Jane Anne Franklin. “Amber and other animals at the Zoo are given regular enrichment that provides them with mental and physical stimulation.”

Playing with T-shirts and other items of clothing is one of Amber’s favorite activities.

“When she is given a shirt, she often likes to take it and rub it across her face and feel the texture before she puts it on. Oh, and she really likes handbags!” Franklin laughed. “If she had to choose between two handbags that might have been hard for her, because I bet she would have carried both of them around and not let them out of her sight.”

Let us be thankful that there are no Super Bowl locker room handbags.

But what should you serve your friends? The beverages are easy — a ton of beer and a small box of wine for that one friend who doesn’t like the taste of beer.

Well, Jerome Bettis is here to help with the food. He is working with cardiologist Dr. Richard Collins to help provide healthy Super Bowl food options. They are hosting a Cardio Kick-Off Party that will break the Guinness World’s record for World’s Largest Food Spread.

Hopefully, “The Bus” doesn’t eat the whole thing.

Here are four sorta-can’t-miss recipes that are easy to make and pretty healthy to eat. Now, you can make the case that your friends should fend for themselves because they are a bunch of mooches who never pay for anything, in which case, simply email them this story and have them make these and bring them over.

Let’s discuss.

The Turkey and Black Bean Super Nachos will be a hit for sure. If you are afraid of the ground turkey as opposed to beef, don’t be. You don’t even have to mention anything to your guests. I’ll bet they won’t notice. And if they do, kick them out.

Buffalo Chicken Bites? I’ll eat Buffalo anything.

Creamy Spinach and Hearts of Palm dip. This is the one the host has to start selling to the guests in the fourth quarter. “Hey guys, don’t forget we’ve got plenty of spinach and hearts of palm dip left. Jerry, you want to try this dip? Mark, did you try the spinach dip? There is plenty left. Jack, please don’t tell me you haven’t tried the dip.”

Hearty Game Day Potato Skins. Why the “hearty” and “game day” in the title? Can’t go wrong with these. Potato skins are marvelous.

So if you get stuck with greasy pizza, you can’t blame Bettis.

Turkey and Black Bean Super Nachos

12 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes — Cook Time: 15 minutes

2 Tbsp. Promise Buttery Spread
1 cup finely chopped orange or red bell pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
8 ounces ground turkey
1 can (15.5 oz.) black beans beans, rinsed and drained
1 tsp. chili powder
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 bag (12.5 oz.) baked white corn tortilla chips
1/2 cup low fat shredded cheddar cheese (about 4 oz.)
1 large tomato, chopped

In 12-inch skillet, melt Promise Buttery Spread over medium heat and cook orange pepper and onion, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until tender. Add turkey, beans and chili powder and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until browned. Stir in 1 tablespoon cilantro.

On oven-safe platter or pizza pan, arrange chips. Top with turkey mixture, then sprinkle with cheese and tomato. Broil until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro.

Nutrition Information per serving: Calories 230, Calories From Fat 60, Saturated Fat 1.5g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 7g, Cholesterol 10mg, Sodium 500mg, Total Carbohydrate 29g, Sugars 2g, Dietary Fiber 4g, Protein 12g, Vitamin A 15 percent, Vitamin C 30 percent, Calcium 10 percent, Iron 10 percent

Buffalo Chicken Bites

36 skewers

Prep Time: 20 minutes — Cook Time: 8 minutes

2 Tbsp. Promise Buttery Spread
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, pounded 1/4-inch thick (about 2 breasts)
2 Tbsp. cayenne pepper sauce
12 ribs celery, sliced into 2-inch pieces (36 pieces)
36 cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup Wish-Bone Fat Free! Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing

In 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt 1/2 tablespoon Promise Buttery Spread over medium heat and cook chicken, turning once, 8 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked; cut into 3/4-inch pieces and keep warm.

In medium microwave-safe bowl, microwave remaining Spread with cayenne pepper sauce 15 seconds at HIGH or until melted. Add chicken; toss to coat.

On 36 wooden skewers, alternately thread celery, tomatoes and chicken. On serving platter, arrange skewers and serve with Dressing.

Nutrition Information per serving: Calories 90, Calories From Fat 20, Saturated Fat 0g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 2g, Cholesterol 20mg, Sodium 240mg, Total Carbohydrate 7g, Sugars 2g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 10g, Vitamin A 10 percent, Vitamin C 20 percent, Calcium 4 percent, Iron 4 percent

Creamy spinach and hearts of palm dip

4-3/4 cups dip

Prep Time: 20 minutes — Cook Time: 10 minutes

2 Tbsp. Promise Buttery Spread
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 bag (10 oz.) baby spinach leaves
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 package (8 oz.) fat free cream cheese, softened
1 cup nonfat sour cream
1 can (7.75 oz.) hearts of palm, rinsed, drained and finely chopped
1/2 cup fat free mozzarella cheese
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
2 loaves (12 oz. ea.) French baguettes, sliced

In 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt Promise Buttery Spread over medium-high heat and cook onion, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until onion is tender and golden. Stir in spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until wilted. Stir in garlic powder and let cool.

In large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, hearts of palm and cheeses. Stir in spinach mixture. Serve with your favorite dippers.

Nutrition Information per 4 tablespoon serving including bread: Calories 150, Calories From Fat 25, Saturated Fat 1g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 5g, Cholesterol 5mg, Sodium 400mg, Total Carbohydrate 23g, Sugars 2g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 7g, Vitamin A 15 percent, Vitamin C 6 percent, Calcium 10 percent, Iron 10 percent

Hearty Game day Potato Skins

24 servings

Prep Time: 1 hour — Cook Time: 17 minutes

6 large baking potatoes (about 3-3/4 lbs), unpeeled and baked
3 Tbsp. Promise Buttery Spread
3/4 cup low fat cheddar cheese (about 3 oz.)
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup light sour cream
2 large green onions, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 425.

Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Remove about 1/3 of the potato pulp, leaving 1/2-inch shell (save pulp for another use). Generously brush inside each potato half with Promise Buttery Spread.

On baking sheet, arrange potatoes. Bake 15 minutes or until potatoes are crisp. Evenly top with cheese and tomatoes. Broil 1 minute or until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream, then sprinkle with green onions.

Nutrition Information per serving: Calories 70, Calories From Fat 15, Saturated Fat 0.5g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 2g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 40mg, Total Carbohydrate 10g, Sugars 1g, Dietary Fiber 1g, Protein 2g, Vitamin A 6 percent, Vitamin C 8 percent, Calcium 4 percent, Iron 2 percent