By MARK McGUIRE Senior Writer Last updated: 8:09 p.m., Sunday, February 3, 2008
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The New England Patriots, seeking to become the first team to finish a season 19-0, lead the New York Giants 7-3 at the half tonight in Super Bowl XLII.
Both scores came during the teams' opening drives. The Giants (13-6) won the toss and controlled the ball for a second short of 10 minutes, settling for Lawrence Tynes' 32-yard field goal. Laurence Maroney took back the ensuing kickoff 43 yards, and capped a 56-yard drive with a 1-yard run on the first play of the second quarter to put the Patriots on top. The game has been a defensive struggle; both quarterbacks have been sacked, and Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw his first interception of the postseason, on a ball bobbled by wide receiver Steve Smith. The Giants hit Patriots MVP quarterback Tom Brady several times in the first half, including a pair of sacks and a forced fumble by Justin Tuck.
By BARRY WILNER, Associated Press Last updated: 10:13 p.m., Sunday, February 3, 2008 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants had the perfect answer for the suddenly imperfect Patriots: a big, bad defense and an improbable comeback led by their own Mr. Cool quarterback, Eli Manning. In one of football's biggest shockers, New York shattered New England's unbeaten season 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. Their growing confidence carried them through playoff victories at Tampa, Dallas and Green Bay, and then past the mightiest opponent of all.
It was really and edge of your seat game! Excellent!
The game was great, but I didn't like half time, I thought it should have been more upbeat. And I always look forward to the new commercials and there were some cute ones, but I've seen better.
I agree....on all counts. Seeing Tom Petty makes me realize how old I am I called my girlfriend and asked her if he was 120 years old. She said it made her want to get out her old eight tracks.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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I called my girlfriend and asked her if he was 120 years old. She said it made her want to get out her old eight tracks. 
