Five key plays that gave Giants title
Chase Blackburn of the New York Giants intercepts a pass intended for Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots in the second half during Super Bowl XLVI. (Feb. 5, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
1. MANNINGHAM'S ACROBATIC CATCH
Beginning their most important drive of the game, down two points with 3:46 remaining and starting on their own 12-yard line, the Giants needed something big to happen. And Eli Manning and Mario Manningham delivered the longest -- and perhaps most important -- play of the game.
Set up in the shotgun on the opening play of the drive, Manning lofted a deep pass down the left sideline and Manningham made a most acrobatic 38-yard catch. Guarded closely, Manningham somehow managed to make the catch and drop both feet inbounds before his momentum carried him out of bounds.
An officials' video review upheld the call on the field, with replays showing that Manningham clearly skipped his two feet inbounds before stepping out. And that play sent the Giants en route to a nine-play, 88-yard scoring drive, giving them a 21-17 lead that they held for good.
2. TO DEFEND, OR NOT TO DEFEND
Patriots coach Bill Belichick made the bold decision to let the Giants score a touchdown and take the lead in the final minute of the game.
The decision came down to this: Belichick thought it would be better to give Tom Brady a chance to win the game instead of watching the Patriots lose it while standing on the sideline, which seemed likely.
On a second-and-goal from the 6-yard line with 1:04 left, the Giants were in prime position to run the ball, kill the clock and win on a last-second field goal. But Belichick didn't let that scenario play out. Instead, the Patriots' defense disappeared on purpose on the second-down play, allowing Ahmad Bradshaw an easy stroll into the end zone. Bradshaw even seemed surprised by the lack of defenders; he tried to stop short at the goal line and take a knee, to keep the clock running, but his momentum carried him backward into the end zone.
With the Giants given a 21-17 advantage, Brady had a chance at a last-minute comeback. But all he could manage was to reach midfield and attempt a Hail Mary pass into the end zone as time expired that was deflected and fell incomplete, just short of a diving Rob Gronkowski.
3. WEATHERFORD'S PUNT LEADS TO SAFETY
The Giants moved the ball well on the game's opening possession but came up empty, although Steve Weatherford's 36-yard punt to the Patriots' 6-yard line more than made up for it. That punt deep set the stage for the Giants' first score, which came thanks to a penalty-induced safety.
On the Patriots' first place from scrimmage, Tom Brady had no open receivers, despite a fair amount of time in the pocket. With Justin Tuck finally breaking through and seconds away from hitting Brady in the end zone, the quarterback got rid of the ball.
But his throw some 40 yards downfield had no intended receiver, and the officials made the rare - but correct - call of intentional grounding, giving the Giants a safety and the first points of Super Bowl XLVI.
4. CHASE BLACKBURN'S INT
No one could have seen this coming: linebacker Chase Blackburn coming up with an interception in one-on-one coverage nearly 50 yards down the field.
It all started with a quarterback dance eerily reminiscent of Eli Manning's pocket scramble before David Tyree's magical helmet catch in 2008.
On the second play of the fourth quarter, with the Patriots ahead 17-15, Brady looked as if he would be sacked when two Giants linemen got their hands on him . Brady may have gotten away, but his chuck downfield didn't end anywhere nearly as fortuitously for the Patriots as Manning's throw to Tyree did.
Instead, Brady underthrew tight end Rob Gronkowski, and Blackburn -- in rare downfield, one-on-one coverage -- stepped in front of the versatile Gronkowski in perfect position to pull in the interception at the Patriots' 8-yard line.
5. BRADY ELUDES TUCK
On first-and-10 from the Giants' 22-yard line with 29 seconds remaining in the first half, Brady dropped back and, at first glance, couldn't find anyone.
As he stood there, scanning the field, Justin Tuck broke loose and got his hands on Brady, appearing on the verge of pulling him down. But Brady bobbed and ducked and stepped away, and there was Danny Woodhead open right in front of him.
The near sack turned into an 11-yard pass, bringing Brady and the Patriots to the 11. Three plays later, Brady found Woodhead in the end zone with eight seconds left, and the PAT sent the Patriots into the locker room leading 10-9.
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