ALBANY — New York Gov. Cuomo is embracing the Super Bowl-bound New York Giants and talking to Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick about a bet.

Cuomo’s advice: Bet it all on the Giants.

Cuomo joked Thursday that the reason the Patriots are linked to New England rather than a state is because Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine want to maintain what he called “semi-deniability” of the Patriots.

When reminded the Giants play all their games in New Jersey and maybe New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie should make the bet, Cuomo said: “Look at their helmets.”