Giant Upset
Underdog New York Giants win Super Bowl XLII
Quarterback Eli Manning of the New York Giants holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots 17-14 after Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo: ©Jim McIsaac/Getty Images/NewsCom)
Giant dreams do come true. In one of the biggest upsets in sports history, the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII (42). The win was an incredible surprise, especially because the Giants started their season with two losses, and many thought they wouldn't even reach the playoffs. But the ultimate underdogs spoiled the Patriots' shot at a perfect season.
With 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Giants quarterback Eli Manning completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Plaxico Burress, putting the Giants ahead, 17-14. The successful 83-yard drive took slightly more than two minutes and surprised everyone after Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's march down the field gave his team the lead, 14-10. But Brady's undeniably stunning season was brought to an end with a brutal sack by defensive lineman Jay Alford, with 20 seconds remaining. Brady then made a desperate pass to wide receiver Randy Moss, with 10 seconds left, but the fourth-down attempt to save the Patriots' perfect record fell short.
Mighty Good Manning
Eli Manning was named the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player. Older brother Peyton Manning—who watched the game anxiously from a luxury box—won the same award for the Indianapolis Colts just last year. Twenty-seven-year-old Eli stayed as composed as he did on the field when he talked to reporters after the game.
For just a few moments the Giants quarterback shed his shy manner and celebrated. "You can't write a better script," he said. "You're going up against a team that's unbeaten, the best team in the league at the time, and we beat them. We played better than they did."
The Manning brothers' father, Archie, was also an NFL quarterback. He was beaming with pride after the game.
"I told him I was proud of him; I couldn't be prouder," Archie Manning said. However, he never expected his sons to follow in his footsteps. "I never even thought about them playing college ball, much less pro football, much less winning Super Bowls or MVPs. It wasn't in the plan," he said.
Giant Party
At the end of the game, New York City was filled with the joyous shouts of fans. Echoes of their celebration in the Big Apple could only have been louder at the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the site of the dramatic upset.
"It's the greatest victory in the history of this franchise, without question," Giants co-owner John Mara said. "I just want to say to all you Giants fans who have supported us for more than 30 years at Giants Stadium, for all those years in Yankee Stadium, and some of you even back to the Polo Grounds, this is for you."
The victorious Giants will be welcomed home with a parade through Lower Manhattan on Tuesday.
More Super Bowl Action
Scholastic Kid Reporters Brock, JoJo, and Rylee Domann spent the week before the Super Bowl XLII filing reports from pregame activities in Glendale. Don't miss JoJo's report on how Patriots players and Giants players got their start, and Brock's story on his star moment with Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress.
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Family Huddle
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Family Huddle
by Peyton, Eli, and Archie Manning and Jim MadsenHuddle up with the most famous family in football-the Mannings! Peyton and Eli Manning are now NFL superstars, but they are still kids in Family Huddle. Follow along as Eli and Peyton pile into the car with older brother Cooper for a trip to visit their grandparents. Their dad, former NFL star Archie Manning, is at the wheel, with mom Olivia at his side. The boys joke around and play football at every opportunity, running fun plays like the buttonhook, the quarterback sneak, and the hook and ladder. Family and football have always been a big deal in the Manning family. Family Huddle is based on some of the Mannings' memories from their days in Louisiana and Mississippi.
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Watch the Manning's speak about FAMILY HUDDLE
Team up with NFL superstars Peyton and Eli Manning to read 100 books by December 18, 2009, for a great cause
books;hardcovers | Ages 4-8
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NFL: In the End Zone: NFL Record Setters
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NFL: In the End Zone: NFL Record Setters
Book of the greatest stars in the NFL. Follow along as the break the old recoeds of the past and create new records for future stars to break.
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Paperback Book | Grades 3-5
Grades 3-5 $3.99
