Eli Skywalker?

All I can say is: WOW. In what could arguably have been the greatest Super Bowl of all time, the New York Giants knocked off the 18-0 New England Patriots 17-14 with an improbable fourth quarter comeback. Eli Manning makes it two MVP’s in row for the Manning clan, while relegating New England to also-ran status. The entire nation can take a collective deep breath, knowing that we will no longer be subjected to Boston’s rants of “All-Time Greatest” and “Welkaaaah!!!!”

The Eli Manning sack-escape and 30 yard throw, followed up with David Tyree’s miraculous catch-on-the-helmet will surely be re-played for years to come. When New York first went up 14-10, Tom Brady and the Patriots seemed to be energized into action and stormed down the field to re-take the lead. The quick drive covered 80 yards in just over five minutes, and New England only faced one third down, which happened to be the final play of the drive. With just over two minutes to go, Eli Manning returned the favor. Two third down conversions and one fourth down conversion kept the drive alive time and time again. I have to say I had all the confidence in the world that Eli would lead his team to victory. Kind of a weird sensation. But the Giants seemed like they KNEW they would win, even after just watching New England take the lead with a fairly effortless drive.

It should not be too surprising that the Giants ended up winning, even though they were double-digit underdogs. What is surprising is the manner in which they won. If anything, many people expected a high scoring game in which the Giants would need to be perfect to pull off the upset. Instead, the Giants relied on a stifling defense and just enough offense to win the game. Other than Wes Welker, the Giants kept New England’s offensive weapons in check. Brady appeared rattled and unsure for most of the game, missing several open receivers. Maroney was non-existent. Randy Moss was kept in check, aside from the touchdown pass, which was made much easier when the corner fell down. Even Welker never truly burned the Giants - his longest gain only went for 19 yards and he averaged under ten yards per reception. I felt that New England was somewhat fortunate to have been in the game as long as they were – at times they appeared to be completely dominated. An unfortunate bounce killed a second quarter NY red-zone drive. Another drive that approached the red zone fell apart after an Eli Manning fumble and “batting” penalty.

New England did have some perplexing play calls of their own. Normally going for the jugular whenever possible, NE decided to punt on a fourth and 2 in Giants territory (although the eventually were awarded a first down due to a Giant’s penalty on the punt) and then oddly decided to go for it on fourth and 13 when the could have attempted a 48 yard field goal. Those three points clearly would have come in handy at the end of the game. Who knows what the hooded master was thinking on those two calls? We’ll never know, but I don’t really care. Evil was defeated, and all of America was united in celebrating the Giants’ victory in perhaps one of the greatest Championship games ever.

Oh, and sorry Bill Simmons. Maybe you shouldn’t have written an article naming the 2007 Patriots as Boston’s best ever sports team…THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!

Jackass…