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On this day 15 years ago, the New York Giants, led by Eli Manning and David Tyree, spoiled Tom Brady and the New England Patriots' perfect season.
Heading into Super XLII, the Patriots had a perfect record. They finished the regular season 16-0 and won their two playoff games, advancing to the Super Bowl with a 18-0 overall record, representing the AFC. They were looking to become only the second team in NFL history to complete an undefeated season capped off with a championship.
The challenge in front of them was the New York Giants. The Giants finished the regular season with a 10-6 record and made the playoffs as a Wild Card team. Nobody gave them a chance to win the Super Bowl.
They did the impossible and upset the highly-favored Patriots by a score of 17-14.
Perhaps the biggest play and moment of the game came when Giants’ wide receiver David Tyree made one of the greatest catches in NFL history. It is known as "The Helmet Catch."
Trailing 14-10 with 1:15 left on 3rd-and-5, Giants quarterback Eli Manning took the snap, evaded pressure by breaking a few tackles, and threw the ball deep downfield to David Tyree, who was in the middle of the field guarded by Patriots safety Rodney Harrison. Tyree made a leaping catch by pressing the ball against his helmet (as Harrison was all over him) that resulted in a 32-yard gain.
The play was key to the Giants' game-winning touchdown as Manning threw a 13-yard pass to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds remaining in the game.
The New England Patriots and New York Giants met again in the Super Bowl four years later and the Giants won again
While the Giants spoiled New England's perfect season, the Patriots had a chance to avenge their loss four years later.
The two teams met up in Super Bowl XLVI where the Patriots were again the favorites.
The Patriots finished the regular season 13-3 while the Giants were 9-7. The rematch was close again and it came down to the wire with the Giants on top, 21-17. The loss gave the Patiots and Tom Brady their second Super Bowl loss in a five-season span. The win was also the second time the Giants beat the Patriots that season.
The Giants and Pats played earlier in the season, which resulted in a 24-20 road victory for the Giants.
The Giants and Eli Manning have their numbers on Brady and the Patriots, but Brady has more Super Bowl victories with seven total.
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