NFL - Super Bowl XLII

In the end, it was "Defense Wins Games". That Giants' defensive line deserved to be the MVP(s), but I guess that wouldn't be 'glamorous' enough. Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan were known stars, but what about that Justin Tuck, who probably played the best game of his life.

This Giants victory reminds me of New England's first Super Bowl championship (in Super Bowl XXXVI) when they beat the St. Louis Rams, with the high-powered offensive force known as "The Greatest Show on Turf", 17-14. The Patriots, like these G-men, also started their season with two losses. They, too, were a double-digit underdog going into the big game. And they also found a way to contain the most potent offense.

The Predictions. Since New York was such a big underdog, not many non-biased pundits picked them to win. The only ones I remember are ex-coach Mike Ditka and Inside The NFL host Bob Costas. (If you know of any others, please let me know.)

23-17??? Everybody laughed at Plaxico Burress when he predicted the Giants would win 23-17. Not so much that he predicted a Giants victory (after all, as a key Giants player nobody would expect him to predict a New England win), but only 17 points for the Patriots, when they've been averaging over 30 for the season? Well, Plaxiglass was wrong. He gave the Pats too much credit. He underestimated his own defense. But, for once, he should be happy with his 'wrong' prediction.

The Miraculous Helmet Catch. I don't know if it was the play of all Super Bowls, but it was definitely the play of Super Bowl XLII. Eli Manning escaped a sack when there were like five hands pulling on his jersey, then David Tyree made a miraculous catch using his hand and his helmet with a Patriots defender draping over him and grabbing the ball. That escape and that catch is going to be in New York folklore for years to come. If I were the Giants owner, I would put a photo and a video of that catch, together with the helmet, in the Giants museum (assuming they have one).

The Legendary Drive. Some New Yorkers already called that final drive which Eli led to secure a New York victory as legendary. I don't know about that. But Eli definitely elevated himself to another level, maybe even two, with that drive. Even though the Giants defense should take most of the credit, I do see Eli as a more deserving MVP than his brother was last year.

The Manning Bracket. The last time these unbeaten New England Patriots lost was also to a Manning - Peyton Manning, in last year's championship game.

The Stinking Part. The only bad thing that came out of this are those stinking Miami Dolphins, celebrating once again for their only perfect season in NFL history.

Patriots' Jinxes.
Jinx #3: Randy Moss. He's an excellent receiver, but no team was interested in signing him at the end of last season. Why? Selfishness? Anyway, he turned himself around at the Patriots and became a team player, he even borke an NFL single season touchdown record as a receiver, but you don't expect him to be rewarded with just one season of hard work. Do you?
Jinx #2: Junior Seau. He's a great linebacker, but if he was meant to have a Super Bowl ring, he would have one already.
Jinx #1: Giselle Bündchen. Didn't Tom know, from Tony Romo's example, that you should keep your high profile girlfriend away from the game?

Patriots' New Motto. In the end, I had tears in my eyes. I don't know if it was because I felt disappointed for Tom Brady and the missed chance of a perfect season, or that I felt happy for Eli and Amani and Coughlin and Plaxico and Strathan and ... Maybe a little of both.
Oh, and their new motto - MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.