Here in New England, game-winning field goals in big games have been the norm this decade thanks to two last-minute Super Bowl-clinching boots by former Patriot and eternal New England hero Adam Vinatieri.

The current Indianapolis Colt was an assassin when the Patriots needed him to be during their run of three Super Bowls in four years (2002, 2004, 2005). A 48-yard kick as time expired to beat the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI is perhaps the most famous image in New England football folklore, as it kick-started the Pats' dynasty.

However, if the run of dominance is to be expanded to four titles in seven years this Sunday in Super Bowl XLII (University of Phoenix Stadium, 6:17 p.m.) against the New York Giants, Patriots fans better hope it doesn't come down to a Vinatieri-special - a 40-plus yard field goal.

According to the kicking guru of Cape Ann, Magnolia resident Rick Gonsalves, a long kick under pressure has potential to be an adventure for current Patriots place-kicker Stephen Gostkowski.

"I don't even think you would see (Gostkowski) attempt a long field goal," said Gonsalves. "We might see a 40 or 42-yard attempt, but Stephen is still young and he hasn't won anyone's confidence yet. Coach Belichick is a guy that's not crazy about kickers unless they've proved how good they are."

The 62-year-old Gonsalves is arguably one of the country's most-credible sources for place-kicking analysis. He has studied professional kicking since 1970 and has been a member of the Pro Football Researchers Association for 25 years. He authored "Specialty Teams" in 1977, which was devoted to kicking, punting and special teams analysis. Following his book, he put together stat sheets for kickers and punters dating back to the 1920s, a project he still continues.

Gonsalves' opinion on Gostkowski was effectively backed up by accurate stats that he was readily able to rattle off.

"(Gostkowski) was only 3 for 5 on field goals from 40 to 49 yards, and he didn't even attempt a 50-yarder," said Gonsalves, who operates the Cape Ann Kicking Academy in Gloucester and tutors several high school kickers.

On the positive side for the second-year kicker out of Memphis, he almost always makes good when he's supposed to, as evidenced by his 18 for 19 mark inside 39 yards during the regular season.

Meanwhile, on the Giants sideline, Gonsalves believes confidence may also prove to be a factor for Lawrence Tynes.

You might think that Tynes should have no problem with confidence considering he drilled a 47-yard field goal in overtime to beat the Green Bay Packers in the NFC championship game at Lambeau Field in below-zero temperatures.

However, Gonsalves focuses instead on the fact that Tynes missed a 36-yarder as time expired in regulation and a 43-yarder earlier in the fourth quarter.

"Tynes lost a lot in the Green Bay game," said Gonsalves, who kicked for Bridgewater State College and booted a career-high 44-yarder in 1966. "I don't care it it's 90-below zero, a kicker's job is to get the ball between the uprights."

In his fourth season, Tynes is the polar opposite of Gostkowski in terms of kicking success. The 202-pound Scotland native connected on 8 for 8 from 40-plus yards, while struggling inside 39 yards at 15 for 19.

Tynes' precision from deep still isn't enough to convince Gonsalves.

"I think both kickers are pretty evenly matched," Gonsalves said. "But if I were to go for the long kick, I'd do it with Gostkowski."

All three of the Patriots Super Bowl victories were decided by three points, leading Gonsalves to believe that more of the same is on the horizon.

"I expect this game to come down to right around three points," said Gonsalves. "Both kickers better have their heads in the game because it will all come down to confidence."