So it's been almost a week since the New York Giants stunned the New England Patriots for a 17-14 win in Super Bowl XLII last Sunday. I'm still amazed the G-men were able to do it.
I know I picked it -- though my 35-34 prediction was a little high -- but I wasn't sure if I was picking with my heart or my head. After all, despite the awesome defensive line and effective running game, New York had a quarterback who didn't seem to inspire anyone and a secondary I was concerned couldn't keep up with Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker.
Did the pressure of putting up the 19-0 in NFL history get to New England? Was Tom Brady's ankle a legitimate issue? Were the Giants just a little better on that day? Probably a combination of all that. As a result, the first two-touchdown underdog walked away with the Lombardi Trophy for the first time since the Patriots beat the St. Louis Rams in 2002.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning (19-of-34, 255 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) played more like Tom Brady then Tom Brady (29-48, 266, 1, 0) and won the game's MVP award -- just like older brother Peyton did last year. Eli also was at the center of one of the best Super Bowl plays of all-time when he eluded the Patriots pass rush and found (former Syracuse receiver) David Tyree downfield for a 32-yard gain on third down. Tyree even caught the ball in spectacular fashion, trapping it against his head as New England safety Rodney Harrison did everything he could to knock it loose. Was this a more amazing play then the Immaculate Reception? Montana to Clark? It's certainly in the top 3. And a few plays later, Manning found Plaxico Burress in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown pass that proved to be the winning score with 35 seconds left. Woo hoo!
The Giants' defensive line led by Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora as every bit as spectacular as it made the Patriots' offensive line look old, chased Tom Brady all over the desert and limited New England to 274 total yards. In the end, it proved to be the determining factor in a game that disappointed Patriots fans everywhere and prompted coach Bill Belichick to disgrace the game yet again by leaving before the game was actually over.
But for Giants fans, the past week was memorable as much for spoiling 19-0 as it was for winning the game. But what a game!
Guest blog by Andy MacAlpine
1 comment:
We had a LOT of fun watching this game. :) I thought there was no way the Giants could win, but holy cow, what an awesome game. I'm even tempted to buy the DVD of the superbowl like a total cheeseball.
-b
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