Did I Just See Some Pigs Flying?

Giants' miracle drive knocks Pats from historic ranks
by Mark Kriegel
Updated: February 4, 2008, 7:23 AM EST

GLENDALE, Ariz. - As they took field for that last drive — what may well go down as the most improbable and impressive series in the 42-year history of the Super Bowl — the Giants had reason to feel offended. The Patriots had been talking, inviting them to their after-parties, a celebration of their perfect 19-0 season. Amani Toomer, who has been with New York since 1996, would recall Richard Seymour telling him to go on home, that the Giants were done.

"Can't tempt fate like that," said Toomer.

This might have been fate, but not of the expected variety. The Patriots had just completed one of their trademark drives, ending with Tom Brady throwing a touchdown to Randy Moss. The score was now 14-10, New England. If you didn't give the Giants a chance, you weren't alone.

New York began its final series with 2:39 remaining, and the ball 83 yards from the end zone. Eli Manning didn't think to give a pep talk. No one needed to be reminded that this was the drive they'd be reminded of the rest of their lives.

"What was there to say?" asked Toomer. "He just called the plays."

The first play went to Toomer, who caught the ball on the right side for 11 yards. "The hardest thing to get," he said Toomer, "is that first first down."

With a minute and twenty seconds to go, Manning threw for David Tyree, the Giants' fifth wide receiver. As it happened, an errant pass went through cornerback Asante Samuel's hands.

"I could have ended the game," said Samuel.

Manning got away with one. Maybe this was what Toomer meant by tempting fate. Or maybe what had been fated was yet to come.

Next thing you knew, Manning was caught in a scrum. It looked like a sack. This was the end, you thought. But then Manning — not the most mobile of quarterbacks — broke free. You could see Jarvis Green and Richard Seymour still pulling at his jersey. "I don't know how he got out of there," said Seymour. "Normally he'll either go down or give himself up. But he continued to fight."

Manning reared back and threw over the middle, the ball finding Tyree's outstretched arms. "I went up as high as I could," said Tyree. "I wasn't letting go. I just wasn't."

Rodney Harrison took his best shot at the ball, but couldn't get it. Tyree fell backward, crashing to the turf, his back arched. He landed with the ball trapped against his helmet. This is the play that will be remembered. Fate? Maybe.

"Some things don't make sense," said Tyree. "I guess this was one of them."

It's been a difficult year for David Tyree, beginning with a fractured wrist. He had spent most of the season on special teams. Then on Dec. 15, his mother died suddenly of a heart attack. She was 59.

"She's just smiling now," said Tyree.

That catch changed more than the game. It may well have changed football history. If they could make that play, they could make another, easy. With 39 seconds left, Manning found Plaxico Burress — hobbled all season with ankle and knee injuries and barely able to practice this week — for a touchdown. Burress had been double-teamed all night, but suddenly found himself all alone with Ellis Hobbs.

"We were waiting for that one time where we could get him over there in single coverage," said Burress. "I gave him a slant fake, he bit."

The score was now 17-14, New York. Tom Brady had 35 seconds, but no more miracles. The Giants' defense held, as it had held all night. Brady was sacked five times, and knocked down many more. The highest-scoring offense in football history had been held to two touchdowns, their fewest points this season.

"I think he was getting tired of getting knocked down," said Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, who had two of those sacks.

So there it was, the undefeated season wasn't to be. Turns out that these Patriots aren't the best team ever to play NFL football. The Giants were never in awe of their opponents.

"We weren't looking at them like a Greek myth," said Tyree.

"We hit them in the mouth," said Toomer.

Eli Manning, Super Bowl MVP, finished by completing 19 of 34 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns (the interception wasn't his fault). When it came to the fourth quarter, he out Brady'd Tom Brady. He won't have to answer any more questions about his brother Peyton or his father Archie. The expectations aren't his problem anymore. The doubters are done. "We had no doubt," he said.

The Giants held their own after-party last night. The celebration had less to do with fate, than belief. "We believed the whole time," said Eli Manning.