Super Super Bowl

How can one escape the big game, especially when it was such a good one?

When I was growing up, nearly every SB was a complete blowout. Unless of course my Bengals were playing in it (two SB losses by a combined 12 points).

I always liked to think that either Joe Montana carving out my heart with his last minute 92 yard drive to take the lead from the Bengals with 34 seconds left back in
'88 was the best SB. But then in '91 the Bills and Giants put on an incredible show, ending with a Scott Norwood missed field goal as time expired was also a classic. The Patriots upset (as 17 point underdogs) of the Rams back in '01 was pretty great too. As was Denver's victory over Green Bay for Elway's first SB, despite it being his fourth appearance in a SB was another classic.

But this one, I think, tops them all.

I mean 100 million Americans watched the game. How many people are even in our country? The commercials are even big events (and they were all pretty terrible in my opinion).

But what a game.

Who would have thought the Giants (after absolutely getting destroyed by the Vikings at home in Novemeber/December) even had a chance against the perfect Patriots.

That's why they play the game.

Eli Manning put together maybe the greatest drive in SB history. It included a fourth down run by Brandon Jacobs to keep the drive alive. It included Asante Samuel picking Manning off, but he couldn't keep his feet in bounds. The Giants other running back, rookie Amad Bradshaw, had an incredible run which took about four Patriots to bring the diminutive runner down. Then it featured maybe one of the more incredible plays in SB history. Facing third down and five, Manning dropped back to pass. However, the Patriots were on him in a second. Somehow Manning, who has come under fire from the New York media almost ALL of this season for his poor decision making and slender frame, managed to escape the pocket without getting sacked. Then he heaved a pass deep downfield. If Manning's effort was incredible, so was that of David Tyree, who leaped up into the air to snag the high throw. At that same time, the Patriots' Rodney Harrison also arrived, attempting to swat the pass out of Tyree's outstretched arms. At one point, Tyree has the ball clutched to his helmet as he is crashing toward the ground. Somehow he maintains possession and keeps the ball from hitting the turf. First down. The next pass (I think) is to Plexico Burress for a TD. Game over.

But what a game! This could well be a defining moment for the youngest Manning, much like Elway's helicopter spin for a key first down when he claimed his first SB or like Montana's clutch, ice-water-in-his-veins 92 yard march to beat the Bengals.

What a game.