Michael Ventre

In Frank Capra’s classic Christmas tale, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” an angel named Clarence shows George Bailey how different the world would have been if he had never existed.

That film had what is now known as a Capraesque ending, featuring Jimmy Stewart as George, hugging and kissing his kids and wife and celebrating life.

The New York Giants would love to experience that kind of an ending to Super Bowl XLII. Naturally, the New England Patriots hope they don’t get that chance.

If Clarence were still in the angel business today, he no doubt would be contracted by one of the dominant media entities to give folks a glimpse at what the world would be like in the aftermath of a Patriots’ defeat, an event so unfathomable to most right now that it would be the stuff of classic movie magic if it occurred.

But it could happen.

And if it does, it will create an alternate universe the likes of which the NFL has never seen.

Eli Manning will become Joe Namath, albeit without the pre-Super Bowl braggadocio, the fur coat, the Fu Manchu and the bevy of babes. After preventing the Patriots from completing an undefeated season, the Giants’ quarterback will take a unique place in history, unlike anyone before him and probably anyone who follows him, given how difficult it is for an NFL team to go 18-0 leading into the Super Bowl.

Eli has been the whipping boy of the New York media, and indeed the national press as well. In his fourth season, he straddled the line between “bust” and “serviceable NFL starting quarterback.”

He was also viewed as the knuckleheaded kid brother of Super Bowl winner and premier pitch man Peyton. Peyton is Wally to Eli’s The Beaver.

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But that would change should the Giants upset the Patriots. Suddenly, Eli will be viewed with an entirely new level of respect. Actually, he has already earned that to a certain extent with his performance in this season’s playoffs. But if he should engineer a shocker against the Patriots, he will forever be viewed with a laurel wreath on his head — when he takes his helmet or beanie off, that is.

Conversely, fans will think a little less of Tom Brady. Not a lot, mind you. But a little less. A tiny bit less. The man has proved himself in three previous Super Bowls. He has nothing left to prove. Human beings falter sometimes. It’s understandable that even someone like Tom Brady might fail to come through occasionally.

But some observers are already annoyed with and exhausted by the whole foot controversy. Is he wearing a boot? Did he take it off? Did he wipe his feet when he entered Gisele’s apartment? Is he practicing with the team? Is his ankle OK? When will the club disclose his injury status? The whole episode has served to enhance the Patriots’ arrogance, because it’s perceived as a ploy to generate mystery and keep everyone guessing. Bill Belichick mind games, brought to you with help from Tom Brady.

If Brady is on the losing end in Super Bowl XLII, he won’t be looked at simply as a great quarterback who came up short, but as a prankster consumed by his own red herring.

Also, the unprecedented glory of quarterbacking the Greatest Team Ever to a championship and a perfect season will be replaced by the agonizing stigma of being the leader of a team that came ever so close to immortality but flopped.