Super Bowl XLII

New York Giants 17, New England 14

The Giants became the first NFC wild card team to win the Super Bowl, an achievement made possible by a relentless defense and David Tyree's brilliant 32-yard catch that set up the go-ahead touchdown. Plaxico Burress capped the winning drive with his 13-yard TD grab with 35 seconds to play, shocking a Patriots squad that entered the game 18-0 and had taken the lead just minutes earlier on Randy Moss' six-yard touchdown reception. Michael Strahan (3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass defensed), playing his final game, keyed a defense that produced five sacks, while the Giants' ball-control approach on offense included an opening drive that took a Super Bowl-record 9 minutes, 59 seconds.

February 3, 2008
University of Phoenix Stadium
Attendance 71,101

Eli Manning completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds remaining as the Giants outlasted the previously undefeated Patriots. The Giants won their first Super Bowl in 17 years, and their third overall, while the Patriots joined the 1934 and 1942 Chicago Bears as the only teams to go undefeated in the regular season but lose their championship game. The Giants opened the game with a 16-play, 63-yard drive that resulted in Lawrence Tynes' 32-yard field goal with 5:01 left in the first quarter. It was the longest game-opening drive in Super Bowl history. The Patriots responded as Laurence Maroney's 43-yard kickoff returns parked a 56-yard drive, capped by Maroney's 1-yard touchdown run to begin the second quarter. The Giants drove to the Patriots' 14 on their next possession, but Ellis Hobbs intercepted Manning's deflected pass to stymie the drive. The Giants had the last scoring opportunity of the half, but Ahmad Bradshaw was flagged 10 yards for illegally batting forward a fumble, which took the Giants out of field-goal range. The Patriots drove to the Giants' 25 to begin the third quarter, but on third down Michael Strahan sacked Tom Brady for a 6-yard loss. On fourth-and-13 from the Giants' 31, Brady attempted a deep pass that sailed out of the end zone. With 14:52 to play beginning from their own 20-yard line, Manning connected on a 45-yard pass over the middle to Kevin Boss. Moments later Steve Smith caught a 17-yard pass on third-and-4, and two plays later Manning found David Tyree open over the middle for a 5-yard touchdown for a 10-7 lead with 11:05 to play. After an exchange of punts, the Patriots took possession on their own 20-yard-line with 7:54 to play. Brady completed 8 of 11 passes on the 80-yard drive, none for more than 13 yards, capped by Randy Moss' 6-yard touchdown catch on third-and-goal with 2:42 to play. The Giants and Manning took possession on their own 17-yard-line with 2:39 left. Manning completed an 11-yard pass to Amani Toomer, and four plays later Brandon Jacobs gained 2 yards on fourth-and-1. Three plays later, faced with third-and-5 from their own 44 with 1:15 remaining, Manning dropped back to pass. He escaped the simultaneous grasps of Jarvis Green and Richard Seymour, spun away and then launched a pass deep down field. Tyree and Rodney Harrison both leapt for the ball, and Tyree caught the ball in midair and cradled it against his helmet while falling to the ground with Harrison draped all over him. The 32-yard reception to the Patriots' 24 gave the Giants a chance, and Smith's 12-yard catch on third-and-11 moments later put the ball at the Patriots' 13. On the next play, Burress caught a fade pass from Manning with 35 seconds left. The Patriots started from their own 26 with 29 seconds remaining, and on second down Jay Alford sacked Brady for a 10-yard loss. Brady's final two long pass attempts to Moss fell incomplete. Manning was 19 of 34 for 255 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception, and was named the game's most valuable player, one year after his brother, Peyton, won the award for the Colts. Brady was 29 of 48 for 266 yards and 1 touchdown. Wes Welker had 11 catches, which tied a Super Bowl record, for 103 yards.

Game Notes

The Patriots entered the game with an unprecedented 18-0 record after completing a perfect regular season.

New England held a 14-10 lead following Randy Moss's touchdown catch with 2:42 left in the game, but the Giants scored a game-winning touchdown with 35 seconds left.

Wes Welker tied the then Super Bowl record with 11 receptions.