Forecast fuss

PHOENIX – 23-17.

Just 17 points for the Patriots.

A certain MVP quarterback thinks that’s a Super-sized diss.

Tom Brady scoffed when told Wednesday that Giants receiver Plaxico Burress guaranteed New York will beat Brady’s undefeated New England team in Sunday’s Super Bowl.

“We’re only going to score 17 points?” Brady said before chuckling about it. “OK. Is Plax playing defense? I wish he had said 45-42 and gave us a little credit for scoring more points.”

Considering the Patriots set an NFL record by scoring 589 points, Brady’s 50 touchdown passes were the most for one season, and Randy Moss broke Jerry Rice’s mark with 23 TD catches, Burress might have been a bit chintzy.

The last time the Patriots played the Giants, in the season finale, New England rallied from 12 points down in the third quarter to win 38-35. The Patriots have not scored fewer than 20 points in their 18 victories, and the last time they put up only 17 was Dec. 10, 2006.

Even if the Giants’ defense performs at its peak, it’s still doubtful New England will score only 17 points.

“I know they have confidence. They should have confidence,” Brady said. “They are the NFC champions.

“I learned a lesson early in my career: No matter what you say during the week – and God knows we say a lot this week – we’re going to be focused on going out and winning this game. We’re confident, but I don’t think we share our thoughts with everybody.”

Burress did.

“I don’t understand what the fuss is about,” Burress said

“All this is entertainment. It’s sports, and sports are entertainment. So 23-17 is the prediction I made, but the game still has to be played.”