Bodog Beat

Plaxico Burress hauls in the winning catch in Super Bowl XLII. (AP Images)

Broadway Eli? Hell, yeah.

The New York Giants’ quarterback engineered a Super Bowl upset on Sunday night that tops the historic victory by Joe Namath and the Jets 39 years ago. In a fantastic finish that will be replayed forever, Eli Manning marched the Giants down the field in 2:07 of the fourth quarter as the Giants scored a winning touchdown to deny the New England Patriots a perfect season. The 17-14 victory in Super Bowl XLII at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., will go down as the biggest upset in NFL history.

Up against the heavily favored Patriots, the Giants’ defense flustered and harassed Tom Brady for much of game. However, fatigue got to the defense late in the fourth quarter and Brady was able to put together a 13-play, 72-yard scoring drive that gave New England a 14-10 lead with 2:42 to play.

That score didn’t hold up, though. Manning got the ball back inside the New York 20 and despite facing severe pressure from the Patriots managed to convert third downs to keep the drive alive. He then hit a wide-open Plaxico Burress on a 14-yard fade pattern for the winning score. Peyton’s kid brother also put together a game-changing drive to start the fourth quarter to give New York a 10-7 lead.

Manning finished 19-for-34 passing for 254 yards, two touchdowns and an interception as he kept the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the family. Peyton Manning's Colts won the title last year.

The point spread favored New England by 11.5. The betting total was way under 54.5 points as the defenses for both teams dominated, forcing the offenses to play conservatively. That aspect of the game benefited New York. By keeping the scoring low, the Giants were able to stay within striking distance despite trailing 7-3 heading into the fourth quarter.

As the game wore on, it became clear that one big play could result in victory for one side or the other. Manning appeared to deliver that play when he hit rookie tight end Kevin Boss over the middle on the first play of the fourth quarter. Boss ran away from the New England defense and netted 45 yards on the play.

Later in the drive, Manning hit David Tyree on a 5-yard play-action pass that gave New York the 10-7 lead.

Although other Super Bowl underdogs have overcome larger point spreads — including the 1969 Jets, who were getting 17 points against the Baltimore Colts — the Giants’ upset is the greatest in NFL history because it denied the Patriots perfection. New England, which was seeking its fourth title in seven years under coach Bill Belichick, finishes 18-1.

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