It was over when ...
Eli Manning threw a 13-yard, go-ahead touchdown to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds remaining in the game, completing a 12-play, 83-yard drive in which the Giants converted three third downs. The Patriots had one-last gasp, but Tom Brady's desperation pass on fourth down fell incomplete.
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| Donald Miralle / Getty Images |
| Eli Manning completed 19 of 34 passes for 255 yards and two TDs, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. |
Game ball
Manning led the winning drive and was well deserving of the MVP award. But were it not for a couple of huge plays by receiver David Tyree, the Giants might not have been in position to overtake the Patriots in the fourth quarter. In addition to catching Manning's first touchdown pass, Tyree caught a critical 32-yard desperation pass on a third-and-5 on the Giants' final drive. On the play, Manning managed to escape intense pressure from New England only to get free and complete the pass over the middle of the field to an outstretched Tyree. Four plays later, Burress caught the winning touchdown.
Key stat
The Giants pressured Brady all game, never letting him get into a rhythm. Led by defensive end Justin Tuck (two sacks, six tackles, one forced fumble), the Giants sacked Brady five times.
Noteworthy
The Patriots and Giants combined for a Super Bowl first -- a two-possession first quarter. The Giants' opening drive lasted 16 plays and took a Super Bowl record 9:59 off the clock. New England followed that up with a 12-play drive that lasted 5:04 and didn't end until two plays into the second quarter. ... Manning threw his first interception of the postseason on a second-quarter pass intended for receiver Steve Smith, who bobbled the low pass that wound up in the hands of cornerback Ellis Hobbs. ... Randy Moss' first reception of the game came with 22 seconds left in the second quarter. He finished with five receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown. ... Patriots receiver Wes Welker tied a Super Bowl record with 11 receptions, matching former Super Bowl MVPs Deion Branch and Jerry Rice. ... The Giants became the first NFC Wild Card team to win a Super Bowl.
