New York Giants Win Super Bowl XLII, Ruin Patriots’ Perfect Season
Super Bowl XLII betting line: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots –11
New York Giants came to the University of Phoenix Stadium spoiling New England Patriots unscathed record by beating the highly touted New England Patriots 17-14 in the 2008 Super Bowl XLII in Arizona.
New England Patriots –11 in the spread could not gain any momentum on their offense, both losing the Super Bowl XLII bid and the spread against the New York Giants.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, voted Super Bowl XLII’s Most Valuable Player, lofted a regal, floating 13-yard pass to New York Giants Plaxico Burress over New England Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs to put the Giants over the top with 35 seconds left.
New York Giants are nothing if not resilient. Because they were technically the visiting team, New York Giants won their 11th consecutive road game, including all four playoff wins.
New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning, completed 19 of 34 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. While New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady completed 29 of 48 attempts for 266 yards to go with a touchdown.
The win was especially sweet for New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan and wide receiver Amani Toomer, the only holdovers from the 34-7 strafing by the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. In addition, it was the third Super Bowl victory for one of the league’s most venerable franchises, to go with the Vince Lombardi Trophies won at the end of the 1986 and 1990 seasons.
New York Giants had a dream scenario for the opening drive, their first possession — which consumed nine minutes and 59 seconds and required 16 plays was it. New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning, converted his first three third downs (a first-drive record for Super Bowls), but could not manage a fourth, throwing too far underneath to Steve Smith. Lawrence Tynes, who won the NFC title game with an overtime field goal, hit one from 32 yards out to give the Giants a 3-0 lead.
New England Patriots answered with a similarly muscular drive Laurence Maroney who began things with a 43-yard kickoff return finished it with a 1-yard run three seconds into the second quarter.
Coming into the game, the key match up appeared to be the New York Giants pass rush, which produced league-high 53 sacks in the regular season versus the New England Patriots offensive line. In Week 17 between the two teams, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was sacked only once, and that was minus two starters.
On first down at the New York Giants’ own 20, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning flipped a pass to rookie tight end Kevin Boss. Kevin Boss caught it at the 39 and, when safety Rodney Harrison missed the tackle, it was good very for a 45-yard play. A few plays later, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning threaded a perfect 5-yard pass through traffic to David Tyree, and the New York Giants, almost inexplicably, led 10-7 with 11:05 remaining.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady moved them down the field, throwing underneath more often than not. Then, on the 12th play of the drive New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady hit New England Patriots receiver Randy Moss. The New York Giants elected to double Wes Welker inside and left cornerback Corey Webster alone with New England Patriots receiver Randy Moss. When Corey Webster tripped on his backpedal, Randy Moss was wide open for a 7-yard touchdown on third-and-goal.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning however, engineered a terrific drive as time ran down. The signature play: Manning, ducking and spinning, somehow avoided a severe rush, and David Tyree managed to reel in a 33-yard catch — he initially pinned the ball on his helmet with one hand — giving New York the ball at the New England 24-yard line. With 35 seconds left, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning hit Plaxico Burress with a gorgeous 25-yard touchdown pass, and the Pats’ perfect season vanished, horribly, into the twisted wreckage of a shocking loss.
The biggest game of the NFL season is under wraps, and the next American football event to look forward to will be the 2008 Pro Bowl, which will bring the top NFL all-stars into one big all-star football match. This time it’ll be the best of the AFC vs. the best of the NFC. Eli Manning of the New York Giants and Tom Brady of the New England Patriots are expected to take part in the 2008 Pro Bowl. The 2008 Pro Bowl kicks off on February 10, 2008 in Hawaii.
Bets for the 2008 Pro Bowl are available in the Bodog Sportsbook.
Click here for 2008 Pro Bowl Tickets.
