Super Bowl Recap: Patriots experience a major case of the blues
In 2008, the New York Giants ended the New England Patriots' perfect season with a victory in Super Bowl XLII, causing heartache in Patriots Nation. Four years later, the Giants and Patriots squared off once again, with the Patriots seeking to exact sweet revenge. However, it was déjà vu for New England, as the Patriots ceded a last-minute touchdown to the Giants that cost them the Super Bowl.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning earned the game's MVP award, his second Super Bowl ring and the Giants' fourth team championship.
On its first possession, New England quickly found itself in trouble, as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was pressured into throwing the ball away. An intentional grounding penalty was called and, just like that, the Giants were awarded the first two points of the game.
On the next possession, the Giants steamrolled past the Patriots' defense, driving 83 yards in nine plays for a touchdown. The drive was highlighted by a 24-yard dash from Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw. At the Patriots' two-yard line, Manning was able to find wide receiver Victor Cruz over the middle for the score, extending New York's lead to 9-0.
New England was able to counter, due to the heroic efforts of kicker Stephen Gostkowski. Brady led the Patriots from their own 28-yard line down to the Giants' 11-yard line on a 10 play, 72-yard drive. From here, Gostkowski was able to drill a 29-yard field goal. The field goal sparked a Patriots rally.
With about four minutes to go in the half, Brady and the Patriots marched 96 yards on 14 plays to score a touchdown and took their first lead of the night. While at the Patriots' 15-yard line, Brady found tight end Rob Gronkowski for a 20-yard gain. At the Giants' four-yard line, Brady threw a short pass to the left to Danny Woodhead, who slithered into the end zone, putting New England up 10-9.
The Patriots' offense displayed more consistent production at the outset of the second half, as New England launched an eight play, 79-yard drive to score another touchdown. At the New York 12-yard line, Brady hit tight end Aaron Hernandez on his left side for the touchdown. The score and subsequent extra point not only put New England up 17-9, but gave the Patriots all of the momentum.
The Giants chipped at New England's lead on their next two possessions in the third quarter. Manning entered Patriots territory on both drives, but was halted by the inspired Patriots defense. Kicker Lawrence
Tynes nailed two field goals to bring the Giants back to within two points of New England.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Brady launched a deep pass intended for Gronkowski, but the pass was intercepted by New York linebacker Chase Blackburn. Although the Giants were unable to capitalize on the turnover, this play would undermine the sure footing the Patriots had stood upon.
Later in the quarter, with 3:46 to go, the Giants initiated a drive from their own 12-yard line. Manning lobbed a ball up to wide receiver Mario Manningham for a completion along the sidelines, but Patriots Coach Bill Belichick, seeing the game quickly spiral out of control, made the controversial decision to challenge the play. The officials' ruling all but handed the game over to the Giants, as they confirmed the completion. The Giants then devoured the clock, charging up the field to set up a David Tyree-esque play. With about one minute left, and the Super Bowl on the line, Bradshaw snuck into the end zone, giving the Giants a 21-17 lead.
The Patriots had 57 seconds left in the game to take the lead, but like four years ago, could not make the clutch comeback. After a 19-yard completion to wide receiver Deion Branch for a first down, after a fourth-and-16, New England fans jumped up with hope at the potential for some late-game magic of their own.
However, Brady missed the crucial Hail Mary and the Giants came away, once again, as Super Bowl champions.
Eli Manning, who before the season stated he was in the same quarterbacking class as Tom Brady and was subsequently met with skepticism, proved his doubters wrong by winning the Super Bowl not once, but twice. Patriot Nation, on the other hand, will try to rebound from not one, but two demoralizing losses.
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