Monday, 6 February 2012

Manning Makes Giants Tall


Eli Manning and the New York Giants are Super Bowl champions again.

Just as they did four years ago in Arizona, Tom Coughlin's Giants have defeated Bill Belichick's New England Patriots - this time 21-17 in Indianapolis for their fourth Lombardi Trophy.

But the Giants had to breathe a huge sigh of relief first as Tom Brady heaved a long, desperation pass into the end zone that Rob Gronkowski nearly caught as it tipped among a group of outstretched Patriots and Giants hands. Then, it fell to the ground and the jubilant Giants were running onto the field in celebration.

New York also beat New England 24-17 in the 2008 Super Bowl.

The Giants had taken the lead with less than a minute left and it seemed they had left too much time on the clock for Tom Brady and the Patriots?

Ahmad Bradshaw ran up the middle on second-and-6, and the Patriots parted like the Red Sea and allowed the Giants running back to get into the end zone for a 21-17 lead. Bradshaw appeared to realise what was going on and tried to stop his momentum at the last second, but stumbled into the end zone for a score.

The New York side was stopped on a 2-point conversion.

Tom Brady's two long incompletions in the final minutes, and several missed chances throughout the game cost the New England Patriots a chance at another Super Bowl victory.

It also resulted in their second loss to the New York Giants in the big game in four years, 21-17 on Sunday.

With just over four minutes left, Brady threw up the left side to a wide-open Wes Welker But Brady's most reliable receiver - and the NFL leader with 122 catches- couldn't hang on.

Minutes later, the Giants then marched for the go-ahead touchdown with 57 seconds remaining.

Brady had one last chance. 

He threw a desperation pass half the length of the field into the end zone. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez went up in a mass of defenders, but the ball fell to the ground as time ran out.

New York then celebrated their victory.