INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Take that, Brady. You too, Peyton.
Eli Manning is the big man in the NFL after one-upping Tom Brady and leading the New York Giants to a 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots at Sunday's Super Bowl in older brother Peyton's house, Lucas Oil Stadium.
Just as Manning did four years ago when the Giants ruined New England's perfect season, he guided them 88 yards to the decisive touchdown, which the Patriots didn't contest, when Ahmad Bradshaw ran 6 yards with 57 seconds left.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick reasoned that the Giants would run the clock down and kick a short field goal, so he gambled by allowing the six points. The gamble failed.
Now Manning not only has stamped himself as the elite quarterback he claimed to be when the season began, in the same class as Brady, he has now beaten the Patriots in two thrilling Super Bowls. The Giants (13-7), who stood 7-7 in mid-December, now own the football world, and Manning owns two Super Bowl MVP awards, the same number as Brady.
"It's been a wild game, a wild season," Manning said.
Manning led six comeback victories during the season and set an NFL record with 15 fourth quarter touchdown passes. He showed that brilliance in the clutch and on the winning drive.
He completed five passes, including a sensational pass going 38-yards and ending with a catch by Mario Manningham on the sideline to open the drive. On second down, at the Patriots 6 yard line and with only one timeout remaining, Belichick had his defense stand up as Bradshaw took the hand off. Bradshaw thought about stopping short of the end zone, but then tumbled in untouched.
Brady couldn't answer in the final 57 seconds, although his desperation pass into the end zone on the final play fell just beyond the grasp of All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski. New England (15-4), winner of 10 straight since a loss to the Giants in November, was done. Brady headed off the field with his head bowed, holding his helmet, while the Giants celebrated around him. They are NFL champions for the eighth time, perhaps the most unlikely Super Bowl win.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
