NFL

Coughlin will motivate Giants with big UFC upset

Tom Coughlin is known for his motivational presentations the night before games and he goes far and wide to uncover what he believes is the most meaningful message to his team. On the eve of Sunday’s MetLife Stadium home opener against the Broncos, Coughlin will delve into the world of mixed martial arts and Ultimate Fighting Championship action to stir up the Giants.

The Post cannot get you into Saturday night’s team meeting but we can provide the next-best thing: A look into how Coughlin plans on ratcheting up the emotions of his team. He showed, according to sources, the July UFC fight between unheralded Long Island native Chris Weidman and heavily favored Anderson Silva, considered a legend in UFC circles. Form did not hold in this battle, as Weidman earned the title by knocking out Silva, who many believe is pound-for-pound the best fighter in UFC history.

Clearly, Coughlin wants to inspire the Giants and have them thinking of themselves as an underdog, which they unquestionably are. Although the Giants are home and the Broncos are traveling across the country for this game, the Broncos are 4 1/2-point favorites. Of course, the way Peyton Manning shredded the Ravens in the season opener, firing seven touchdown passes in a 49-27 rout of the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens, has plenty to do with the point spread. So does the way the Giants self-destructed, with six turnovers in their 36-31 season-opening loss to the Cowboys.