They were supposed to play for 60 minutes. It was their motto, their mantra, so much so that they even had t-shirts with the phrase "60 Minute Men" printed up and worn throughout the season.
Yet for the second consecutive year, they fell short in the 60th minute, both times at the hands of a SOA (Son of Archie); last year, in the final minute of the AFC Championship Game; this year, in the final minute of a Super Bowl that was intended to mark their coronation as the greatest team ever.
The Patriots, who were supposed to roll over the wild-card entry Giants, were outplayed. It was the Giants tenacious defense, a group that swarmed and pressured Tom Brady all night long, that outplayed the Patriots prolific offense, the highest scoring of all-time.
Only once in Super Bowl XLII did the Patriots offense resemble the 2007 PATRIOTS OFFENSE, the one that moved down the field at will. It wasn't until late in the fourth quarter, in the Patriots final scoring drive, that the Pats offense seemed to find their rhythm.
Give the Giants their due. They played their hearts out and deserved to win the game. The best play of the game, and possibly the season, came in the Giants game winning drive on third down when Eli (don't call me Peyton) Manning, in the middle of a group of Patriots defenders, somehow slipped away, his jersey pulling taut as he wriggled out of the grasp of one of the Patriots, rolled right and threw up a high pass that a leaping David Tyree somehow, someway managed to grab out of the air and hold onto as he fell to the ground. The pivotal play moved the Giants deep into Patriots territory, but more importantly, gave them a new set of downs to work with. It gave them new life.
Given 35 seconds to work with Brady and the Pats were unable to muster any last second magic. So it was the 2007 Giants who took the place of the 2001 Patriots in shocking the world. For a Pats fan, it is disappointment. But the Pats will be back. They still have Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli; and as long as they have those three to work with, will be contenders again next season.
DeLeah Caro
Chelsey Buhler
Sled Hockey
Heisman Moments: Closest Finishes
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Scott Pioli? Dude you better get Moss back or this house of Patriots offensive juggernaut will take a huge hit. They Pats would still thrive if they lost Pioli.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
This isn't a disappointment, this is one of the best days in the history of the NFL. If the cheating Pats had won, the NFL would have continued to hemmorhage fans. This upset is definitive proof that a supreme being exists.
m072214
Newtown Square , PA
Total Comments (4)
Dude...whine about it...the play of the game...the sack that flew Brady five yards back IN THE AIR! WIPEOUT! GAME SET MATCH!
Rusty Barnacles
Sharon , PA
Total Comments (6)
On most days, there's no way NY beats Dallas, GB, or the Pats. But give them credit - they got on a roll just when it counted, and they had just enough talent to go with the attitude. Who would've figured?
Most fans outside of NE are feeling giddy tonight. I've never seen any team alienate so many people as the Pats this year. Between cheating, running up the score, and the overall arrogance, along with the trolls who spewed hate on every other team's forums all year long, it's hard to imagine a more obnoxious group. My condolences to the long-term Pats fans. You nation got taken over by a bunch of jerks.
TexOldie
Waxahachie , TX
Total Comments (3)
it is a bitter pill to swallow, but this defeat will hopefully make the pats more determined. 18-1 is no fluke. 19-0 would be better but we simply must reflect on this. we the fans and everyone. we are upset but at the end we are still behind our team.
Go Pats. For the love of Boston and New England.
patriotsredsoxcanuck…
Total Comments (38)
The Giants deserved the win.
The Patriots did not.
but I stand behind my team. We had a great season regardless of how it ended. It was exciting, it made the work week more bearable knowing the weekend was coming. It was the most exciting Season and SB the NFL has seen in decades.
Im looking forward to 08
Congrats Giants for a job well done.
KPKahder -
Total Comments (45280)
Giants had an amazing run, beating 2 teams of 13-3 and then an 18-0. They deserve all the credit! Bill was outcoached, he neglected to leave in baclks for protection, refused to try a 48 yard FG, etc. the line is supposed to have 3 pro bowlers who failed to show. But these type of sports upsets is what makes it great to watch sports, it is won on the field, not by oddsmakers!
JohnnyK
Housatonic, MA
Total Comments (110)
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