Scottish-born kicker Lawrence Tynes, whose late field goal clinched victory over Green Bay, was one of six players with high temperatures and sickness.

"I hope that's the end of it," said coach Tom Coughlin after the team arrived in Arizona on Monday.

"We had three guys missing last week, and some who were not quite as sick."

Meanwhille, New England quarterback Tom Brady says he will play despite missing training with ankle trouble.

Brady, seen in a protective boot last week, expects to help the Patriots' bid to become the second team in the modern era to achieve an unbeaten season.

"This won't keep me out of this game... It would have to take a helluva lot more than an ankle," he said.

"It is feeling good. I will be ready to go. It has been a good week."

The only other team to have won all their games including a Super Bowl were the 1972 Miami Dolphins who went 17-0. The NFL season has since expanded by two games.

"I think we have an incredible opportunity as a team," Brady added.

"I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished thus far and we have talked as a team that for the rest of our lives we'll all remember this week, win or lose.

New England completed their 100% regular season by coming from behind to win 38-35 against the Giants, who have since upset Dallas and Green Bay in the play-offs.

New York defender Michael Strahan, one of two players remaining from the Giants team who lost the 2001 Super Bowl to Baltimore, said the thought of preventing a Patriots' perfect season was extra motivation.

"This is the biggest challenge that you can have in the Super Bowl," Strahan said. "We have to go against the only 18-0 team ever.

"It's like Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas. You wake up and you expect that Tyson knocked him out in the first round and you find out Douglas won. That's what we hope we are.

"If we win, this would be the biggest upset in a lot of ways."

(BBC)

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