The New York Giants just completed a startling three-game run through the NFC playoff jungle with a 3-0 mark ATS. By contrast, the New England Patriots enjoyed a first-round bye and home playoff wins over underdogs Denver and Baltimore.

Wynn Las Vegas sports book director Johnny Avello tried to hang on with the Patriots -3 as long as he could, but finally had to give in on Thursday morning when the culmination of Giants money over the first 11 days of action became too much.

From the time we knew who would be playing in the Super Bowl, I’ve always had a lean on the Patriots to win. As great as the Giants have been on their march to the Super Bowl, I still can’t get their bad losses out of my head. 

Being in Las Vegas, it’s easy to forget just how many people are betting the Super Bowl "illegally" around the nation. A survey released Tuesday found that at least 25 million Americans will bet money on this Sunday’s Patriots-Giants NFL title game.

VIP | Super Bowl XLVI football prop choices are provided by SuperBook for use in betting and wagering NFL Football.

VIP | Super Bowl XLVI football prop choices are provided by SuperBook for use in betting and wagering NFL Football.

Vegas Sports Books | Thousands of visitors flock to Las Vegas without even attempting to get a Super Bowl ticket because there is nothing quite like the environment the city puts on display for the biggest game of the year.

Feist’s Facts | The 2008 Super Bowl thriller saw the New York Giants scoring late to stop the 18-0 New England Patriots, 17-14. For the rematch, much of the same cast returns, including the head coaches.

Looking Back | It has been only a recent phenomenon that Super Bowls have provided end-to-end drama.  In the old days, snooze-fests were the norm, especially when Buffalo and Denver showed up.

11 Super Bowl Predictions by Las Vegas bookies for the 2012 NFL football Super Bowl XLVI.

VIP: Denny the Dog | In life, you usually get a second chance. In pro football, if you’ve put some money away for a rainy day, you also get a second chance. It’s called the Super Bowl. 

VIP: Getting Rich with Saber | Pro football's gestapo will be all over the city looking for someone using the word Super Bowl in any advertising. Thus, the books must be careful or sustain being shut down or getting slapped by the almighty NFL lawyers.

Pokin' Around |  Here’s a Super Bowl party a bit different than the rest because it was born from this Sunday’s New England Patriots-New York Giants matchup.

VIP: On the Mark | In 2007, the New England Patriots were attempting to become the first 19-0 team in NFL history. But they lost to the New York Giants. Now four years later, the Patriots have the opportunity to say the 2008 loss was a fluke.

VIP: Pigskin Picks | Although the New England Patriots have won three Super Bowls in the Bill Belichick / Tom Brady era, all were by exactly three points. Their lone loss – to the New York Giants – was also by that same margin.

Vaccaro’s Views | Finality is in sight. The year began, or almost didn’t, with the lockout. We saw historical numbers reached in offensive play and individual talent. Plays were made that have shown people like me just how far these kids have revolutionized the game.

VIP | Andy Iskoe’s NFL Averages & Rankings shows each team’s wins, losses, pointspread and Over/Under results plus yardage, turnover and home/road scoring averages for the entire 2011 season through the Super Bowl.

VIP | Noland Parry’s NFL football Power Guide is an excellent tool for gamblers to help calculate a number near what the anticipated point spread should be for betting and wagering.

VIP | 2013 NFL Super Bowl XLVII Odds for betting pro football are provided by NVH SuperBook and Lucky’s Race and Sports.

The 2011-12 Pro Football season is now down to a single game. Few are surprised to see the New England Patriots representing the AFC, but in the NFC the New York Giants are definitely not the team most expected to reach the Super Bowl.