Well, really, the egg’s on my face.

I went into Week 14 with a sizable lead and, got a little cocky. (See the humble prediction of Ben Masur ‘ who, by the way, is a bandwagonning Duke and Yankees fan ‘ for more.) I finished third in the regular season picks after essentially leading the whole way. For the record, I’m still Pipe Dream Picks’ winningest picker over its two years of existence.

But that’s just one of two mistakes I won’t repeat here. Last year, after winning the Pipe Dream Picks regular season championship, I fell in the Super Bowl to former assistant sports editor L.J. Spaet, who, wisely, picked the Colts.

I wanted to go for the underdog Bears ‘ it’s in my Mets-fan nature.

I’m not getting fancy this time, I’m not getting soft and I’m not getting stupid. The New England Patriots will win Super Bowl XLII.

I’m a Jets fan, so really, there’s no winning for me here. I want the Giants to win, because I don’t hate them like I hate the Yankees, but my life as a football fan is going to be made miserable either way.

Be realistic here, people. The Pats are a runaway train that’s going straight through the tunnel that is Michael Strahan’s teeth.

I just pray the Celtics don’t complete the championship trifecta.

New England 31, Giants 17; MVP: Rodney Harrison.