You can go to ESPN.com to read real commentary, but I had to document some thoughts on this game, as well as detail certain events which I want to remember when I retell the story of Super Bowl XLII. Like how we kicked Timmy to the win (more on that in a minute.) I never remember the numbers. I want to remember XLII. I never remember the location; this one was in Arizona. I watched from Sam and Noelle's living room; that is a fact I will never forget. First things first, Historical perspective: This was the best Super Bowl ever. Hands down. As a Ram's fan it is hard to be objective on two recent SBs that standout:
1) The win over the Titans that came down to the final stretch of the ball.
2) Two years later the loss to the Pats in which we were 14 point favorites, overcame a two touchdown deficit to tie the game with under a minute remaining, only to watch the Brady lead a game winning field goal drive as John Madden gave 13 reason why the Pats should NEVER try and score in this situation.
I have to throw out those two. I was too emotionally invested. And honestly, the loss stuck with me far more than the win. That led to my first ever long-term sports related depression. So my top Super Bowl had always been the Broncos over the Packers. Elway finding redemption over the defending champs, the end of the NFC dominance, and an actual decent game. Up to that point, the Super Bowl had been boring for most of my life as a sports fan.
But now there is a new number 1. Super Bowl XLII: Giants 17-Patriots 14. Ten random reasons why:
1. The Pats undefeated season is ruined. In this era, I never thought 19-0 was possible. Then I was sure this team would do it. The 18-1 chants were awesome after the game.
2. The game itself was amazing. I was into every single play. The game was just flat out enjoyable to watch. To ignore the subplots is impossible, but if you could, the game would have still have been the best played game of this season. Just a great performance by two great teams.
3. The boxing analogy: I would have taken the decision, but there is nothing better than a challenger knowing he is going to lose unless he can deliver the knock-out blow. (Giants in it all game = possible decision. Pats drive down to take the lead with under 3:00 left = late round knockdown makes decision win impossible. Manning crazy scramble and wild catch = "He's cut! The champion is cut!" Manning to Plax = "And the champ is down! I don't think he's getting up!" Brady gets rocked with 20 secs left = "7, 8, 9" Final desperate 4th down flail = "10!!! It's over, the Challenger has shocked the world!!!")
4. I hate Boston. So much that watching a NY team beat them brought me to ecstasy. (The definition of necessary evil). That just felt good. I worry that hate may be stronger than love, but the '06 World Series win still beat this feeling. Barely.
5. The Legend of Eli. When the Pats scored to go ahead, the real sports fan in me was glad. I wanted epic. More than just the Pats losing, I wanted a new champion to emerge. This was our chance to watch a star being born. No matter how it happened, 15 years from now, I will always remember the Pats losing, but what if this is the moment that launches Eli into the ranks of the immortal? Maybe it won't, but it could. Either way there is not a soul on this planet that takes Philip Rivers over Eli right now. And that was a legitimate question 8 weeks ago.
6. The Giants were better than the Pats. I like what Steve Young said after the game. If you ignore everything else and just look at January forward, the Giants are better. They knocked of a great Cowboys team in Dallas, a great Packer team in Lambough, and possibly the best team ever on a warm day with perfect conditions. They got to Brady. And they drove down the field to win. No excuses. The Giants prepared better, played better, and won. Fair and square.
7. Plax. Backed up his pre-game talk. When he predicted a 23-17 win, they scoffed at the 17. Brady even laughed. They scored 14.
8. Week 17. The Colts, Cowboys, and Bucs all mailed it in on week 17. They never won again. The Giants played their guts out and gave the fans the best game of the NFL regular season in a 'meaningless game.' They never lost again.
9. The Manning brothers are now officially the bane of Tom Brady's existence. Take them away and Brady has five rings this decade, and more on the way. Loved seeing Peyton at the game cheering on his little brother. Great theater.
10. Good triumphed over evil. For the first time in my life I was in a room with more than ten people from all walks of life and EVERY person was cheering for the same team. It was mostly Skins fans (even more reason to cheer against the Giants), a Raiders fan, a Colts fan, a couple Rams fans, and random women who were all having a great time watching this amazing game.
That last point leads me to the Timmy story. Somewhere in the 3rd quarter something good happened and Timmy was sitting on the floor so I gave him a tap with my foot. Like a high five but I was too lazy to bend over and give it for real. Then another good play. I was onto something. Every time something good happened, I would give him a kick. It started to catch on. By the time Eli hit Boss for that big gainer, the whole room was swarming him with kicks. The subsequent touchdown probably caused internal bleeding*. Then the Pats looked like the Pats again. As they drove down the field with ease, Timmy was safe. But Eli still had time. And when he pulled off the miracle escape and throw and helmet catch; well let's just say I think our kicking had more than a little to do with that magic. I am not an overly-superstitious man, but strap me to a lie detector and ask me if we kicked Timmy to a Super Bowl win? The answer is.......Yes.
And the answer to the best Super Bowl ever is XLII. Could not have asked for more. This is why we watch.
*Timmy is fine. He is a big guy that could have taken all of us had he wanted, but he was a great sport. And he secretly knew that we were keeping the Giants alive. Anything for a win
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