INDIANAPOLIS—The closest Super Bowl ever to Chicago saw two East Coast teams rematch from four years ago.This was a repeat result wise of February 2008 as The New York Giants again beat the New England Patriots, this time 21-17 as Ahmad Bradshaw scored the game winning touchdown from 6 yards out with 57 second left. Bill Belichick ordered his defense to ‘let’ Bradshaw score to save his offense some time. That stragigy failed for Mike Holmgren and Green Bay against Denver in January 1998,and it did not work this time either as the Giants defense stopped the Pats to win their fourth franchise Super Bowl.
Stephen Gustkowski kicked off to Jerrel Jerigan to start Super Bowl XLVI,and the Giants picked up three first downs with Hakeem Nicks making a great grab for the third one. A pair of sacks including one by former Bear Mark Anderson forced a punt by former Illini Steve Weatherford,which was downed inside the New England 5. On first down,Tom Brady scrambled in his end zone,then unleashed one about 45 yards-to nobody,and Referee John Partry called it intentional grounding for a safety to give the Giants a 2-0 lead just 6:08 into the game.It was the first safety in a Supoer Bowl in twenty years.After the free kick by Gostwkowski,the Giants started at their 22,and Manning moved them deep into Patriots territory. A pass inside the five was fumbled and the Pats recovered,but they had twelve men on the field and it became a first and goal.Manning hit Victor Cruz in the end zone for the game’s first touchdown and a 9-0 NYG lead with 3:24 to go in the quarter.New England got the ball and started a run of 17 straight points. The Pats began moving the ball.They were at the NYG 17 as the period ended.
The Patriots got to the 11 and on 4th down Gustkowski kicked a 29 yard field goal to get his team on the board.Each defense got a stop,then the Giants again began marching,but a holding call nullfied a first down and the Giants punted again with Weatherford kicking it out at the 4.But New England went 96 yards,and with :08 left in the half got a yard TD pass from Brady to Danny Woodhead to take a 10-9 lead at halftime.
New England’s momentum carried over into the third quarter as they carved up the Giants defense,Brady not missing a single pass on that drive and he hit Aaron Hernandez on a 12 yard TD pass.He also hit Chad Ochocinco for 20 yards.It became 17-9. Brady’s 17 straight completions was a Super Bowl record. The Giants answered on their first series of the second half,but had to settle for a Lawrence Tynes 38 yard field goal.
The Giants sacked Brady and held,forcing a punt and took over at the N.Eng 48.They NFC Champs moved to the ten,but on third down,Manning was sacked and Tynes kicked a 33 yarder to cut the Pats lead to 17-15 with :35 left in the third quarter.
As the fourth quarter started,Chase Blackburn picked off a Brady pass at his own eight.The first interception of the game.Nothing happened until the final drive by the Giants.
NOTES—Eli Manning was the MVP for the second time in Super Bowl play…..Madonna’s half time songs were: VOGUE,OPEN YOUR HEART,LIKE A PRAYER.
LES