Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012

Giants vs. Patriots, 2008

On Groundhog Day 2008, the world looked vastly different than today: Plaxico Burress was a star receiver for the New York Giants, G-Men quarterback Eli Manning was a semisuccessful signal caller playing in the shadow of his legendary big brother Peyton, and Tom Brady, the New England Patriots' dashing quarterback, was poised to lead his team's completion of a perfect 19-0 season, solidifying its status as the greatest NFL team of all time. Two days later, the rivals duked it out in one of the greatest Super Bowl games in history. With less than three minutes left in the game and the Giants down 14-10, Manning dropped back to pass on a third-and-5 play near midfield. He danced out of one near sack and somehow managed to stay on his feet while two Patriots defenders tried to maul him. Breaking free, Manning hurled the ball down the field to near the 25-yard line, where receiver David Tyree caught the ball by pinning it against his helmet. Four plays later, Manning threw to Burress in the corner of the end zone for the win. Months after spoiling the Pats' perfect season, Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg in a nightclub, then served two years in prison on a felony conviction. Manning became a respected field captain much like his brother. And Brady gets his chance at a rematch on Sunday, Feb. 5.