Over the next two weeks Philguard will be counting down the top 10 moments in the past 42 years in the big game. Today…
Tyree’s Catch
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen…”
When: Super Bowl XLII – February 3, 2008
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium
In 2007 the New England Patriots had already established themselves as a great team. Beginning with the last second victory over the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, The Pats claimed 3 Super Bowl victories, in some cases ripping off season long winning streaks around the playoff wins. But the 2007 season would give rise to the talk of the Patriots as being possibly the best team to take the field during the Super Bowl era. Starting with a week one win over the Jets all the way to a slugfest finale against the Giants in Week 17, the Patriots went 16-0 through their schedule, the first team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins to complete an undeafeated regular season schedule. In the Divisional round of the playoffs the Pats would host a tough Jacksonville team but behind a 26 of 28 performance by Quarterback Tom Brady the Pats would win, 31-20. The AFC Championship game would have the Chargers coming into Gillette Stadium with an injured Quarterback Phillip Rivers and Running Back LaDainian Tomlinson. New England would struggle early but ultimately overcame 3 Brady interceptions to win 21-12.
At the beginning of the 2007 season the New York Giants were surrounded by questions. Was Quarterback Eli Manning capable of leading the team to a Super Bowl like his brother Peyton had done the year before? Was the gruff Head Coach Tom Coughlin the right fit for the team? How would they deal with the loss of primary Running back Tiki Barber who had left in the offseason to pursue other career goals? How effective would veteran Defensive Lineman Michael Strahan be after missing the preseason while mulling over retirement before deciding to return? Two losses in the first two weeks seemed to confirm a rebuilding year for the Giants. But the Giants would rebound winning the next six straight leading to an eventual 10-6 record. Their record would secure a playoff spot but the 13-3 Dallas Cowboys would win the NFC East so the Giants were seeded fifth and would have to play each of the three playoff games on the road. The Wildcard round had the Giants traveling to Tampa and defeating the Buccaneers, 24-14 which would set up a Divisional round game against the division rival Cowboys in Dallas. The Giants would overpower a talented but undisciplined Dallas team winning 21-17. The G-men would have to travel to Lambeau Field for the NFC Championship game to take on the Packers in snowy conditions. An overtime field goal gave New York the 23-20 victory and the trip to Glendale, Arizona to take on the undefeated Patriots.
The game was largely a defensive battle after the first three quarters with the Pats leading 7-3. The Giants would take the opening drive of the fourth quarter into the endzone to take the lead 10-7 with 11:10 left in the game. But the Patriots offense was not to be held to only a touchdown and Quarterback Tom Brady would complete a go ahead touchdown pass to Receiver Randy Moss with 2:42 left on the clock. Most felt that New England previous Super Bowl experience coupled with the sometimes inconsistent play of Manning would secure a fourth Championship for the Pats. The Giants set up for a third and five play from their own 44 yardline when Manning’s line gave sending the Patriots pass rush into the backfield. Manning spun out of a tackle, looked down field and fired the ball 32 yards into the middle of the field for Receiver David Tyree. Tyree located the ball and leaped into the air but had to pin the ball against his helmet to keep control as he fell to the ground. The Giants would complete the drive with a Manning touchdown pass to Receiver Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds left in the game putting them in the lead 17-14. The Pats were unable to make any headway over the final half minute and suffered their first loss of the year to finish with an 18-1 record. Tyree’s catch became the indelible image of the game as the game that ended New England’s bid for perfection.