As I sit here writing this blog, I still can't believe what transpired last night. I watched it with my own eyes, yet for the first time in my life, I doubt what I saw. New York Giants-17 New England Patriots-14. The New York Giants, who had lost 6 games this season, beat the New England Patriots, who, coming into this game, hadn't lost. Period. But this was the Superbowl, the epitome of championships, so there is never a gurantee. I had the Patriots winning 35-17, because I didn't foresee Tom Brady's offensive line absolutely fall apart, nor did I see Eli Manning having the game of his life. I guess I was wrong. I will dole out credit where credit is due, no matter how hard it is. Congratulations Giants, you played a heck of a game, and you deserve the Lombardi trophy. With that being said, I'm going to go over a few points of the game that either a) baffled me or b) amazed me.
1) The Patriots O-Line: What surprises me here is that the guys up front (Matt Light, Logan Mankins, and Dan Koppen) had been absolutely lights out all season, giving Brady plenty of time to drop back, step forward, and get the pass off. Yet we get to the Superbowl, and they couldn't block anything. Brady got sacked 5 times and didn't have time to look downfield very often. With that being said....
2) Tom Brady: I don't even know what to say about him. Brady, who's statistics ( 29/48 266 yards 1 TD) show he played a decent game, actually had an absolute atrocity of a game. The aspect of his game that got to me the most was his inability to get the ball to Randy Moss. Moss was in position the whole game, running his routes and waiting for Brady to throw. Yet when Brady threw the ball in Randy's direction downfield, it was nowhere near Moss. Overthrown, underthrown, too far right, too far left; it was crazy how Brady couldn't find Moss for a big play. Moss was constantly open, blowing by the Giants secondary, but Randy could never capitalize because of Brady.
3) Wes Welker: Welker is a class act and without a doubt deserves everything he got this year. It's too bad he couldn't come away with a ring, but he had a great year nonetheless. Welker got open all night in Arizona, and he put on a show. It seems like every catch Welker makes is for a first down. Welker caught 11 passes for 103 yards, and all of those yards were important. If the Patriots had come away with a victory, Welker would have been my choice for MVP.
4) Eli Manning: I can personally say I will no longer refer to Eli as "Peytons little brother." Eli lit up the field last night and deserved to walk away with that MVP trophy. Manning (19/34 255 yards and 2 TD) looked brilliant on his way to winning his first world championship. With his brother Peyton there to watch him, he definitely showed why someday there could be a Manning v. Manning Superbowl.
5) The Giants Defense: Keeping my dignity intact, I will now admit that the Giants defense is for real. Don't get me wrong, after riding them my whole fantasy season I knew there was something right with them, but I really thought the Patriots would find a way to get around them. That wasn't the case. The front seven of the Giants pressured Brady all night and rattled him around until he couldn't even concentrate. For this Giant defense to come to Arizona, on the biggest stage they will ever be on, and hold the best offense to ever play football to 14 points is pretty amazing in my book.
6) Tiki Barber: The fact that the Giants won this game the year after Tiki retired is one of the few bright spots I found in this victory.
Going into this game, I had no doubt in my mind that the Giants could pull this victory from the Patriots. But just because I knew they could does not mean I saw this coming. Even when the Patriots got the ball back with 30 seconds left, I thought they were going to march downfield and kick a field goal to tie the game. As much as I would have loved to see history being made with the Patriots going undefeated, I guess it's not the end of the world. Playing a whole season without losing a single game is definitely a hard thing to do, and I give credit to the 1972 Miami Dolphins for remaining the only undefeated team in NFL history. And I give credit to the Giants for pulling out this improbable win when not many thought it would happen. I just still can't believe that the team that just won the Superbowl was beaten by my Vikings 41-17 just a mere 10 weeks ago....
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