Super Bowl 49: Ranking the most dramatic finishes
By Will Osgood
- Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14
One of the two great upsets in Super Bowl history, this Pats-Giants tilt was played in the same stadium which will host this week’s Super Bowl—University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ.
The Patriots were attempting to become the first team to ever go 19-0 and earn their fourth Super Bowl victory under Bill Belichick. Ultimately, Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo won the battle of coordinators over Josh McDaniels, holding one of the most explosive offenses in NFL history to just 14 points.
The G-Men got to Tom Brady five times, and never allowed him to get into a rhythm, as he finished 29-for-48 and just 266 yards and one touchdown. It was a missed sack, though, which ultimately prevented the Patriots from completing the perfect season.
Facing a 14-10 deficit and under intense pressure on a key third down play, Eli Manning looked ready to take a devastating sack, when he somehow escaped the grasp of three separate Patriot pass rushers before heaving up a seemingly desperate toss to David Tyree.
The catch, now dubbed “the helmet catch” finally led to a deep throw down the sideline to Plaxico Burress to score the go-ahead touchdown, which would ultimately hold up as the game-winner and earn Eli Manning MVP for his performance in eclipsing Patriots.
Next: Kurt Warner & Larry Fitzgerald nearly stole a Super Bowl