It was the Patriots who were supposed to walk away with all the superlatives. Best team ever, best offense ever, best record ever. I hear they even trademarked "19-0." But instead it was New York fans chanting "18-1" in Times Square last night.
Reminds me of the old "1918" chant in Yankee Stadium bleachers. Of course, Boston took that chant away from New York after they came from behind 0-3 in the playoffs against the Yankees and went on to win their first World Series since 1918. But this time around in the great New York-Boston rivalry, payback was a bitch. Instead of the Patriots having all the records, now people are asking: Was this the best Super Bowl in history? The greatest upset in history? Was the Eli Manning-David Tyree play the greatest play in Super Bowl history?
Some things we know for sure. The Giant Killer Giants will go down in history as having the best playoff run ever. I thought what Pittsburgh did a couple of years ago was amazing when they won as the wild card in the AFC, including that legendary game against the Colts, but even as a partisan Steelers fan, I have to confess this Giants run through the playoffs was even better.
They beat Tampa in Tampa. They beat Dallas in Dallas. They beat the Packers on the frozen tundra. Then they beat "the greatest team ever" Patriots in the Super Bowl. It doesn't get any better than that.
The Giants defensive line was phenomenal. As good a defensive line as there has ever been, including the 85 Bears, and the great Ravens and Bucs defenses in this decade. Overall, those defenses were better, but no one matched up to this defensive line. They should have been the collective MVP of the Super Bowl.
And that Eli Manning to David Tyree play in the final drive was as good and gutsy a play as you'll ever see. I'm calling it "The Great Escape" because it was unbelievable that Eli didn't get sacked there, but that doesn't do justice to Tyree's catch, which might have been even better. David Tyree outshines Randy Moss, Eli Manning outplays Tom Brady. If that's not that the greatest upset ever, what is?
You might be able to argue that there were a couple of games or a couple of plays that were better in NFL history, but the very fact that we're even having that argument shows you how great this game was. Congratulations to the Giant Killer Giants of '08. I didn't think they had it in them, I was wrong.
And, by the way, so was Tiki Barber, who's got to be the sickest man in America today.
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Best Superbowl Ever?
Posted Feb 4th 2008 7:06PM by Cenk Uygur
Filed under: Young Turks, Sports
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Best superbowl ever? Maybe, but I don't think so. Pretty good, for sure, if you're the Giants. The QB nearly-in-the-grasp pass the Giants Tyree caught on the top of his head was definitely one for the ages. Certainly one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history with one of the biggest poor sportsmanship manuevers of all time occurring as the Pats coach walks onto the field before the clocks expires. (Oops.)
Dave at 10:34PM on Feb 4th 2008
2. Correction - make that "clock". Singular. One clock. (No more.)
Dave at 10:42PM on Feb 4th 2008
3. As a diehard, lifelong Patriots fan, I can't offer an unbiased opinion of whether or not that was the best Super Bowl ever. I can see how the Giants would think so. They were behind the whole game, and they grasped victory from the jaws of defeat. They earned those rings.
What's pissing me off is the glee from some people that the Patriots lost. Belichick walked onto the field before the kneel down - so did Tom Coughlin. They shook hands at midfield, but some people so badly want to think that the Patriots were a team of hubris and that they deserve this defeat that they see what they want to see. And then they go and talk about poor sportsmanship.
Gloat for now, we'll pick ourselves back up.
AndrewV at 10:58PM on Feb 4th 2008
4. It was great to see Tom Brady lose. That's karma.
Hayley at 11:14PM on Feb 4th 2008
5. Hurray FOR NEW YORK!!!
http://www.evolutionfacts.blogspot.com
HORACIO MATTESA at 11:40PM on Feb 4th 2008
6. Andrew, I was pulling for the Pats, just because they have had a phenomenal season, 19 and 0 would have been awesome.
That said, I enjoyed the game thoroughly, especially the exciting ending.
Condolences to Andrew.
Linda at 12:27AM on Feb 5th 2008
7. I still think a New England-Green Bay Super Bowl would have been better, because it would have turned into an arial contest between Tom Brady and the grizzled veteran, Brett Favre.
This game was boring for much of it, because no one scored for so long.
I still rate New England's first Super Bowl win (remember that Madden said the Pats ought to run out the clock and start over in OT) or the game where Scott Norwood missed the winning FG as better games.
And I would take Tom Brady or Peyton Manning over Eli Manning any day. Eli still has his moments of rookie play, while Peyton and Tom play well every down (assuming the Pats' offensive line gives Tom some time).
Kent at 2:11AM on Feb 5th 2008
8. Don't call Billicek a sore loser. The refs should have wound down the clock. There was no point in having Manning kneel down. That's like conceding a hole in match play in golf.
Kent at 2:12AM on Feb 5th 2008
9. Football . . it's everything that is wrong with America. You morons put a stupid game, and make it more important than the race for the Presidency, . . The world is on the verge of WW3 and you want to have a parade for grown men that throw balls? Jesus. . . And teach your children well, please, . . put science and education before this rubbish, push your children to become FREE thinkers, . to get involved in our countries future, or they might not have a future to wake up to......get out and vote, make this country what it once was, . . put things in perspective for God's sake
jimbo at 2:59AM on Feb 5th 2008
10. Great Game. The Patriots had a great season, could have been the greatest team ever. Who would have thought Coughlin was a genius, Eli was a great QB, and the Giants would be champions?
JefFlyingV at 3:40AM on Feb 5th 2008
11. Jimbo,
Get a life. It's called escapism.
Kent at 9:24AM on Feb 5th 2008
12. Big Guy,
I enjoy a good sporting event, and this Super bowl was just that. I never been to a Super Bowl, but I've been to regular season NFL, MLB, Hocky and NBA games. And I have to say boss, I enjoy the games more at the stadium/arena.
A few summers back I went to a minor league baseball game (AAA teams). Now, most of these guys aren't going to make the major league, but on a warm summer evening, it's hard to beat.
I recommend it bossman. If there is a minor league ballpark in town, take advantage of it (and take the whole family, it's inexpensive and fun.)
Willet at 10:04AM on Feb 5th 2008
13. There are definately more important things going on in our country and in our world that demand our attention but as we all know, since 9/11 with over 3000 innocent people dieing, almost 4000 troops have died in our wars on terror and now the housing crunch where middle class folks will be our new homeless, the Super Bowl brought about 100 million people together to watch an exciting game. for a short period of time we had some fun. Now, it's back to reality.
Bill at 10:42AM on Feb 5th 2008
14. jimbo, chill out man.
I watched the Super Bowl, and now today, I will vote. Unlike certain people, I can hold two or more thoughts in my head at the same time.
AndrewV at 10:29AM on Feb 5th 2008
15. perhaps this is a year of 'change'...we'll see, I guess.
Clif Kuplen at 4:40PM on Feb 5th 2008