Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin will make for the oldest coaching match-up in Super Bowl history when they go in search of a win each of them may need to cement their legacies.

Both already have an impressive list of achievements in the game, particularly in the case of New England Patriots coach Belichick, but both have the need of one more ring to silence the doubters.

For Belichick, 59, a fourth Super Bowl ring would not only move him level with Pittsburgh Steelers legend Chuck Noll for the most titles in history, but also draw a line under the videotaping controversy that has damaged the legacy of his previous three.

For Coughlin, 65, a second Super Bowl ring would elevate him into the elite ranks of NFL coaches and surely silence critics who were questioning his credentials just a few short weeks ago.

Back in mid-December, the Giants lost 23-10 to Washington, a fifth loss in six games, to drop to 7-7, and New York's talk radio lit up with demands for Coughlin to go.

But from there, the Giants went on a five-game winning streak to reach Indianapolis, and far from the job centre, talk is turning as to whether Coughlin deserves a visit to the Hall of Fame.

"I don't know the numbers so I would probably be speaking out of turn, but I feel like he is (a Hall of Famer)," Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes said.

"He has had winning teams. He has produced in a tough market and everyone that puts that NY logo on, on Sundays, is on the hot seat, every week, no matter what we do. We know that and that is kind of the approach. He has handled it well and he is the best guy for the job."

Such an outcome would be a huge victory for an old-school character who is enjoying only his third Super Bowl appearance in any capacity since he took up coaching in 1984.

"You have to have a great appreciation for this," Coughlin said. "Anyone who goes through this experience and doesn't grab a hold of it or grasp the significance of it doesn't understand that there are great, outstanding coaches and players who haven't been to a Super Bowl game, and get to this point."

On the other side, Belichick is going into his eighth Super Bowl, his fifth as a head coach, but the feeling is not getting old.

"Every Super Bowl is special, and it's a real privilege to be involved," he said. "I know this is my eighth one as a head or assistant coach, but it's what you work for all year going all the way back to February or March when you start putting your team together and training camp and all the meetings.

"It's like 111 practices a year, or whatever it is, but it's a long haul. To be able to get here is what you work for, so it's a great experience."

By the numbers, there should be no question about Belichick's place in history, having won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and taken them to within a whisker of a fourth and a perfect season, only to have it stolen away in the final quarter by tomorrow's opponents.

But the video-taping controversy - the Patriots were fined and docked a draft pick in 2007 after being found guilty of illegally taping a New York Jets practice - has left a black mark against his name in some eyes.

Allegations of other similar offences soon surfaced - none of which the NFL found to be substantiated - but nevertheless there is a feeling Belichick may need one more Super Bowl ring to put the matter to rest.

It is not something the man himself has any interest in discussing.

"We moved on from everything in the past," he said. "We are focused on this game. That's it."

A fourth Super Bowl ring would put Belichick in rarefied air, but it would not apparently push him any closer to retiring.

Asked about the possibility, the notorious workaholic explained he was still having far too much fun.

"I enjoy all the aspects of the job. I enjoy the team-building, the drafting, the free agents, team acquisitions - those kind of things," he said. "I enjoy bringing in the young players and working with guys who haven't been in the NFL and teaching them the basic fundamentals in how to become a professional football player for the New England Patriots.

"I enjoy working with the veteran players, the Tom Bradys and the Vince Wilforks and the Wes Welkers and all those kind of players that can do really special things because of their not only talent, but experience. I enjoy the competition on a weekly basis.

"Not just on Sundays, but the preparation leading up into the game. I enjoy all of it. It beats working."