C'mon, it's not like the 2007 Giants were shrinking violets. Showing up in Phoenix wearing all black, for the funeral for the Pats perfect season? Plax making his 21-17 guarantee? Strahan promising to "stomp you out"? Those Giants were brash too, and it didn't stop them from winning the game.
These guys have microphones shoved in front of them for two weeks running, because the NFL wants to market this to the max and squeeze every last drop of advertising money it can. So what are the players supposed to say? That they think they'll lose?