SUPERBOWL XLII

 Actual Score:  Giants 17, Patriots 14

 FEBRUARY 3, 2008 (UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX STADIUM)

 PATRIOTS 33, GIANTS 6   

 First Quarter

 Eli Manning’s penchant for throwing interceptions continued on the Giants opening drive of the game, when his third down pass for Brandon Jacobs was intercepted by Rodney Harrison.  The Patriots embarked on an 8-play, 47 yard drive, however, Stephen Gostkowski missed a 50 yard field goal attempt. On their third series of the game, the Patriots went 71 yards in 6 plays to take the early lead with a 22 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal.  The key play of the drive was a 69 yard completion to Donte Stallworth on a 3^rd and long. 

 Second Quarter

The second quarter began with a Jeff Feagles punt.  The Patriots would reach the 48, however they were forced to punt after three consecutive incomplete pass attempts.  R.W. McQuarters returned the ensuing punt 27 yards to the 48.  Ahmad Bradshaw gained 9 yards on first down and Madison Hedgecock caught a 4 yard swing pass for a first down.  Four plays later, Lawrence Tynes field goal attempt was wide right from 48 yards out.  After forcing a three and out, the Giants responded with a 9-play, 43 yard drive capped off by a 51 yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes to tie the game at 3-3.  Ellis Hobbs returned the kick off to the -23.  Tom Brady opened the drive with a 14 yard completion to Wes Welker.  Lawrence Maroney went off tackle for 7 yards and Tom Brady completed a 14 yard pass to Ben Watson to reach the 42.  Two plays later, the Patriots exploited the Giants pass rush with a 25 yard pickup by Lawrence Maroney on a draw play.  Five plays later, Randy Moss out jumped Sam Madison for a 2 yard touchdown reception to increase their lead to 10-3.    

Third Quarter

The Patriots set the tone on their opening drive of the second half.  On 3^rd and 4 from the -24, Wes Welker caught a shallow crossing pattern and turned it up field for a 47 yasrd gain.  Three plays later, Tom Brady threw a 15 yard fade pattern to Kevin Faulk to convert a 3^rd and long.  The Patriots drive stalled at the 19; however, Stephen Gostkowski split the uprights to increase their lead to 13-3.  Ahmad Bradshaw spearheaded a strong running attack and the Giants responded with their best series of the game.  They went 51 yards in 8-plays ending with a 38 yard Lawrence Tynes field goal to make it a one score game.  On their next drive, Wes Welker had an 18 yard reception and Lawrence Maroney caught a screen pass and displayed nifty opening field running for a 31 yard gain.  The Giants ended the drive when they tackled Kevin Faulk for a 2 yard loss on a third down draw play; however, Stephen Gostkowski was true from 43 yards out to make it a 10-point game. The turnover bug bit the Giants on their next possession; Madison Hedgecock caught a pass in the flat and gained 9 yards prior to fumbling and Jarvis Green fell on the loose ball at the -40.  Two plays later, Lawrence Maroney caught a short pass and turned it into a 34 yard gain resulting in first and goal from the 1.  Heath Evans bulled in for the touchdown on the next play increasing their lead to 23-6.    

Fourth Quarter

Down by 17 points, the Giants were determined to maintain a balanced offense.  Brandon Jacobs had 2 key runs and Eli Manning evaded the blitz and converted a 3^rd and long with a 12 yard completion to Jeremy Shockey.  Brandon Jacobs first down run was stopped for no gain and Eli Manning’s next two pass attempts were incomplete to end the drive at the 47.  The Giants defense forced a three and out and R.W. McQuarters returned the ensuing punt 12 yards to the -30.  Two plays later, Eli Manning’s pass attempt for Jeremy Shockey was intercepted by James Sanders who returned it 40 yards to the 5. The Giants defense tightened up and forced a 24 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal.  Domenik Hixon would return the ensuing kick off 71 yards resulting in outstanding field possession.  After an 11 yard pass completion to Madison Hedgecock, Brandon Jacobs would lose 10 yards and fumble resulting in another Giants turnover.  Tom Brady broke the huddle at the -29 and opened the drive with a 12 yard completion to Wes Welker and followed it up with a 14 yard scramble for another first down.  Lawrence Maroney was tackled for no gain, Kevin Faulk gained 8 yards on a quick screen and Wes Welker picked up a first down with a 9 yard reception to reach the 28.  Tom Brady executed a perfect fake handoff to Lawrence Maroney on a stretch play and threw a 28 yard strike to Wes Welker for a first and goal from the 8. Two plays later, Ben Watson caught a pass in the back of the end zone to seal the victory.          

Scoring Summary

New England             3     7     13     10    – 33

New York                   0     3       3      0     – 6

First Quarter

            NE – FG Gostkowski 22, 3:00

Second Quarter

            NY – FG Tynes 51, 3:48

            NE – Moss 2 pass from Brady (Gostkowski kick), 0:30

Third Quarter

            NE – FG Gostkowski 36, 10:46

            NY – FG Tynes 38, 7:30

            NE – FG Gostkowski 43, 4:00

            NE – Evans 1 run (Gostkowski kick), 0:59

Fourth Quarter

            NE – FG Gostkowski 24, 8:06

            NE – Watson 8 pass from Brady (Gostkowski kick), 3:00    

A—71,101

 

                                                                        NE                              NYG

 

First Downs……                                            16                                12

Rushed – Yards…..                                         26-84                           27-100

Passing Yards……                                         413                              103

Sacked- Yards Lost……                                1-7                               0-0

Return Yards……….                                     88                                301

Passes………………                                    25-44-0                        14-32-2

Punts ………                                                  4-34.0                          4-37.0

Fumbles-Lost………..                                    2-0                               3-2

Penalties- Yards……..                                    2-20                             0-0

Time of Possession…..                                  31:29                           28:31

 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

  PASSING–

            NEP:  Brady 25-44-0-413

            NYG: Manning 14-32-2-103

  RUSHING–

            NEP:  Maroney 19-58, Faulk 2-1, Evans 3-9, Brady 2-16          

             NYG:  Jacobs 14-45, Bradshaw 11-55, Manning 2-0

  RECEIVING–

            NEP:  Welker 6-106, Faulk 4-31, Watson 3-40, Moss 6-60, K.Brady 2-28,

                       Maroney 2-65, Stallworth 2-83   

            NYG:  Toomer 1-3, Shockey 3-40, Jacobs 2-12, Hedgecock 5-26, Moss 2-11,

                        Bradshaw 1-11