Ballers Plaxico Burress & Michael Strahan Help Give New York The Win, Performing A Drive-By On New England's Perfect RecordYou know actress Bridget Moynahan is really happy right now. Her baby's daddy, Tom Brady, and that jump-off of his, supermodel Gisele Bündchen, were denied all the glory of that Super Bowl bling. But hey, Black folks were ecstatic over seeing all the brothas on the field, including the first African American referee overseeing what ended up being an incredible Super Bowl game. I LOVE THIS GAME! Even decrepid-looking Tom Petty was jammin during half-time.
Ref Mike Carey didn't need a platform, "Sports is like politics. It's the window to progress," he said. Most Valuable Player Ely Manning would probably agree, especially now that he's made history. Big brother Peyton Manning and daddy Manning must be speechless over the little QB that could.
While the Patriots were undefeated, the Giants were undaunted. They had the perfect answer for the suddenly imperfect Patriots: a big, bad defense and an improbable comeback led by their own Mr. Cool, Eli Manning.
In one of football's biggest shockers, New England's unbeaten season was shattered as Manning hit Plaxico Burress on a 13-yard fade with 35 seconds left in the Super Bowl. Sunday's 17-14 win was the Giants' 11th straight on the road, and the first time the Patriots tasted defeat in more than a year.
It was the most bitter of losses, too, because New England (18-1) was one play from winning, but its defense couldn't stop a 12-play, 83-yard drive that featured a spectacular leaping catch by David Tyree, who scored New York's first touchdown. Tom Brady, the league's Most Valuable Player and winner of his first three Super Bowls, was battered all game. He was sacked five times, hurried a dozen more, and at one point wound up on his knees, his hands on his hips following one of many poor throws.
Hardly a familiar position for the record-setting quarterback. And a totally strange outcome for a team that seemed destined for historic glory. Oddly, it was a loss to the Patriots that sparked New York's stunning run to its third Super Bowl and sixth NFL title. New England won 38-35 in Week 17 as the Patriots became the first team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins to go spotless through the regular season. But by playing hard in a meaningless game for them, the Giants gained something of a swagger. And you know what, we ain't mad at 'em!