Entering Super Bowl XLII against Tom Brady and his then-undefeated New England Patriots, the Giants knew they would have to get to the quarterback if they wanted to stop the offense that set the NFL record for most points in a season. And they did just that, sacking Brady five times in one of the most thrilling Super Bowls of all time. Defensive end Justin Tuck had two while linebacker Kawika Mitchell, defensive tackle Jay Alford, and future Hall of Famer Michael Strahan each had one.
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At Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Big Blue would face the high-octane Buffalo Bills, but the Giants' coaching staff would have their own plan of attack: pound away with No. 24. Epitomized by an uppercut to a Buffalo defender, Giants running back Ottis "O.J." Anderson wore down the Bills and earned MVP honors with 21 rushing attempts for 102 yards, including a one-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
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Giants defensive lineman George Martin sacked Broncos quarterback John Elway in the end zone for a safety with 2:46 to play in the first half, cutting the Giants' deficit to 10-9 before heading into the locker room. Big Blue went on to outscore Denver 30-10 in the second half for a 39-20 victory.
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Looking to extend their 10-7 lead at the time, the Broncos worked their way into a first-and-goal at the one. But the Giants made a stand, forcing Denver to lose five yards on three straight rushing attempts before Rich Karlis missed a 23-yard field goal attempt. Lawrence Taylor tackled Elway on first down for a loss of one; Harry Carson stopped Gerald Willhite for no gain; and Carl Banks tackled Sammy Winder for a loss of four yards on third down.
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Giants quarterback Phil Simms, who went on to win Super Bowl MVP, connected with wide receiver Phil McConkey for a 44-yard gain on a flea flicker late in the third quarter against Denver. The play brought the Giants down to the one, where running back Joe Morris ran it into the end zone on the next snap for a 26-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
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Faced with a third-and-13 on Buffalo's 32-yard line in the third quarter, Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler hit wide receiver Mark Ingram, who spun, deked, and broke a swarm of attempted tackles by Buffalo defenders for a 14-yard gain and a first down. Five plays later, Anderson ran in a one-yard touchdown for a 17-12 lead.
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On first down at New England's 13, quarterback Eli Manning found wide receiver Plaxico Burress in the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown, bringing the Giants to within 35 seconds of defeating the 18-0 Patriots.
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In an eerily similar rematch of Super Bowl XLII, the Giants trailed 17-15 in the fourth quarter with one final drive to pull off the comeback. On the first play, Manning dropped a perfect ball into the hands of wide receiver Mario Manningham, who made an equally impressive catch and kept both feet in bounds on the Patriots' sideline. It would later be revealed that New England coach Bill Belichick told his defense to focus on stopping wide receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks and force the Giants into other options, including Manningham.
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The name says it all. Bills placekicker Scott Norwood missed a go-ahead, 47-yard field goal attempt in the closing seconds of Super Bowl XXV, which the Giants won 20-19.
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On third-and-five with the Giants' trailing 14-10 on their final drive of the game, Manning dropped back and was immediately swarmed by Patriots defenders. However, Manning escaped the tugs and pulls and threw a jump ball to wide receiver David Tyree, who trapped the ball on his helmet as he fell to the ground with New England safety Rodney Harrison. The result was a 32-yard gain and one of the most iconic plays in the history of the sport as the Giants went on to win 17-14 and raise their third Lombardi Trophy.
Best of the Rest
Running back Ahmad Bradshaw recovers fumble (XLII); Bradshaw takes a seat in the end zone for game-winning touchdown (XLVI); linebacker Chase Blackburn intercepts Brady (XLVI); running back Brandon Jacobs converts fourth down (XLII); Simms to tight end Mark Bavaro to McConkey for touchdown (XXI); the fake punt (XXI); cornerback Corey Webster tips pass (XLII); and Hostetler holds on to prevent a defensive touchdown (XXV).
