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The Giants had the perfect
answer for the suddenly imperfect Patriots: a big, bad defense and an
improbable comeback led by their own Mr. Cool quarterback, Eli Manning.
In one of football's biggest shockers, New York shattered New
England's unbeaten season as Manning hit Plaxico Burress on a 13-yard
fade with 35 seconds left in the Super Bowl. Sunday's 17-14 win was the
Giants' 11th straight on the road, and the first time the Patriots
tasted defeat in more than a year.
It was the most bitter of losses, too, because New England (18-1)
was one play from winning, but its defense couldn't stop a 12-play,
83-yard drive that featured a spectacular leaping catch by David Tyree,
who scored New York's first touchdown.
Tom Brady, the league's Most Valuable Player and winner of his first
three Super Bowls, was battered all game. He was sacked five times,
hurried a dozen more, and at one point wound up on his knees, his hands
on his hips following one of many poor throws.
Hardly a familiar position for the record-setting quarterback. And a
totally strange outcome for a team that seemed destined for historic
glory.
Oddly, it was a loss to the Patriots that sparked New York's
stunning run to its third Super Bowl and sixth NFL title. New England
won 38-35 in Week 17 as the Patriots became the first team since the
1972 Miami Dolphins to go spotless through the regular season. But by
playing hard in a meaningless game for them, the Giants gained
something of a swagger.
Their growing confidence carried them through playoff victories at
Tampa, Dallas and Green Bay, and then past the mightiest opponent of
all.
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