Sunday, Feb 3, 2008
Super Bowl XLII
When the perfect Patriots from New England rolled into the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the only thing they had in mind was their fourth Super Bowl championship in seven years, and the completion to only the second perfect season in NFL history. After going an unbeaten 18-0 throughout the entire year, why expect anything less? But the New York Giants certainly had something to say to those perfect Pats: How does 18-1 sound? "Easy" Eli Manning and the Giants ended New England's quest for perfection in a thrilling battle between two great teams.
The suddenly imperfect Pats looked confused most of the game, and could only muster fourteen points against the Giants' vaunted defense. It goes back to the old adage: defense wins championships. Tom Brady, the leagues MVP and winner of three Super Bowls, was sacked five times and hurried a dozen more. New York brought the blitz all game and kept Brady and the offense flustered. They were held to seven points all the way up until 2:42 left in the fourth quarter when Brady hooked up with Randy Moss for a 6-yard touchdown pass. The game was 14-10 Patriots at this point, and it was all up to Eli Manning, younger brother of Colts superstar quarterback and Super Bowl XLI MVP, Peyton Manning, to lead his team down the field and score the game-winning touchdown. It's what every young quarterback dreams of: winning the Super Bowl on the final drive. New England couldn't stop a 12-play, 83-yard drive that featured a spectacular leaping catch by David Tyree, who had scored New York's first touchdown on the opening drive of the fourth quarter. Manning hit Plaxico Burress on a 13-yard fade with 35 seconds left to go up 17-14 and ultimately win the game. Burress was interviewed after the game and said, "It's the greatest feeling in professional sports." Manning was later honored with the game's MVP award after completing 19 of 34 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Not bad for "Peyton's little bro."
So now the 1972 Miami Dolphins can pop the champagne and celebrate their record still in tact, the only perfect season in NFL history. This Patriots loss just shows how hard it is to be perfect. So hard, it's only been done once.
Final Score:
New England(18-1) - 14
New York(14-6) - 17
When the perfect Patriots from New England rolled into the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the only thing they had in mind was their fourth Super Bowl championship in seven years, and the completion to only the second perfect season in NFL history. After going an unbeaten 18-0 throughout the entire year, why expect anything less? But the New York Giants certainly had something to say to those perfect Pats: How does 18-1 sound? "Easy" Eli Manning and the Giants ended New England's quest for perfection in a thrilling battle between two great teams.
The suddenly imperfect Pats looked confused most of the game, and could only muster fourteen points against the Giants' vaunted defense. It goes back to the old adage: defense wins championships. Tom Brady, the leagues MVP and winner of three Super Bowls, was sacked five times and hurried a dozen more. New York brought the blitz all game and kept Brady and the offense flustered. They were held to seven points all the way up until 2:42 left in the fourth quarter when Brady hooked up with Randy Moss for a 6-yard touchdown pass. The game was 14-10 Patriots at this point, and it was all up to Eli Manning, younger brother of Colts superstar quarterback and Super Bowl XLI MVP, Peyton Manning, to lead his team down the field and score the game-winning touchdown. It's what every young quarterback dreams of: winning the Super Bowl on the final drive. New England couldn't stop a 12-play, 83-yard drive that featured a spectacular leaping catch by David Tyree, who had scored New York's first touchdown on the opening drive of the fourth quarter. Manning hit Plaxico Burress on a 13-yard fade with 35 seconds left to go up 17-14 and ultimately win the game. Burress was interviewed after the game and said, "It's the greatest feeling in professional sports." Manning was later honored with the game's MVP award after completing 19 of 34 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Not bad for "Peyton's little bro."
So now the 1972 Miami Dolphins can pop the champagne and celebrate their record still in tact, the only perfect season in NFL history. This Patriots loss just shows how hard it is to be perfect. So hard, it's only been done once.
Final Score:
New England(18-1) - 14
New York(14-6) - 17
Friends
My Friends
