NFL Pro Football 2007-2008 Super Bowl XLII Recap

NFL Pro Football 2007 Super Bowl LXII Recap

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Fearless Rick's NFL Super Bowl XLII Picks

Rick Gagliano | February 3

New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14

Sunday, Feb. 3 - University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz. (FOX)

Background and Stats || Trends, comparisons || Rick's Pick

Eli Manning Rallies Giants to Ruin New England's Path to Perfection

It was as super a game as the name implied, and, at the end, the Giants ended New England's one-season reign of terror in the NFL.

After posting the first perfect regular season since the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the Patriots made quick work of Jacksonville and San Diego to advance to the Super Bowl.

For the Giants, the road traveled was quite less perfect, but oh-so-more interesting. New York stumbled out of the gate, 0-2, losing to the Cowboys and Packers, two teams they would eventually meet and beat in the playoffs.

The one thing about the Giants that became clear as the season wore on though: they were the ultimate road warriors. After their initial loss at Dallas, the Giants won their remaining 7 straight road games, then turned the road hat trick in the playoffs, sweeping games at Tampa Bay, Dallas and Green Bay.

And they proved to be perfectly relaxed facing the heavily-favored Patriots in Glendale, Arizona. For the most part, the game resembled a heavyweight bout, with each team scoring on their first possession. Just seconds into the second quarter the score stood Patriots 7, Giants 3, and it would stay that way until the 4th quarter.

With the defenses dominating most of the game, the final period proved to be decisive as both teams embarked on long drives. New York began the quarter with an 80-yard, 6-play drive culminating in a 5-yard TD pass from Eli Manning to David Tyree.

But, as they have all season, the Patriots responded with a matching 80-yard drive that spanned 12 plays. Tom Brady found a wide open Randy Moss in the end zone on a 6-yard flip to take the lead, 14-10 with just 2:42 remaining.

--- Story continues below ---

The drama was just getting started. Manning rallied the Giants down the field 83 yards in 12 plays, including a Houdini-like escape from the Patriot rush on a critical 3rd down play, finding David Tyree downfield for a spectacular 32-yard grab.

After a sack and an incomplete pass, Manning hooked up with rookie Steve Smith for 12 yards and a first down at the Patriots' 13 yard line. On the next play, Manning found Plaxico Burress on a fade to the corner for the final score. With 35 seconds remaining, the Giants led for good, 17-14.

So, the 2007-08 season concludes without perfection, but with a real champion that fought and clawed and never doubted themselves. Eli Manning was named game MVP and joins brother Peyton as back-to-back Super Bowl champions. Father Archie must be the proudest man in the world.

The story lines heading into next season will be the fallibility and doubt surrounding New England, the Mannings vs. Brady rivalry, and what can the NFL do for an encore?

If it even approaches the levels of this season, it ought to be a whole lot of fun.

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