With the Super Bowl quickly approaching it’s only appropriate to reflect back on the 2008 Super Bowl. Super Bowl XLII, need I say more? Considered to be one of the biggest upset games, it was a battle to the end between the 2007 New England Patriots and the New York Giants.

What made this such a historic game was the fact that the NY Giants – who had finished their regular season 10-6 were going up against the NE Patriots who, at the time, were the powerhouse of the NFL finishing their regular season undefeated 16-0. They expanded beyond the regular season to not lose a game in the play-offs and built their record to 18-0.

The NY Giants, however, made noise in the NFL defeating Tampa Bay (24-14), Dallas (21-17), and Green Bay (23-20) in the play-offs to go from the Wild Card Round all the way to secure themselves a spot against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Even this was not enough to deter people’s decision about who would win and as a result placed betting odds for the Patriots as the high favorites.

The most memorable moment of the 2008 Super Bowl was the Giants fourth quarter winning drive when they were down 14-10 with 2:39 left in the game. Eli Manning led his team to an 83-yard stretch with the most crucial play coming from David Tyree. Tyree made a leaping one handed catch to secure a 32-yard gain. This was then followed by a 13-yard reception by WR Plaxico Burress to secure the Giants a touch-down. With 33 seconds left after the play, it assured the Giants the Super Bowl victory.

The Giants (who for the last two years had not won in the NFC Wild Card round and who had not won a playoff game in seven years) became the first NFC team to come from the Wild Card Spot and win the Super Bowl.

With the 17-14 win, the Giants pulled off the greatest upset as they defeated the seemingly unbeatable Patriots who had been led by Tom Brady who was elected NFL MVP and NFL Offensive MVP of that season. After the game Eli Manning was selected as the Super Bowl MVP after completing 19 of 34 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns with only one interception.