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12-21-2007 12:14 PM |
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The New England Patriots First team in NFL history to go 15-0 |
12-23-2007 7:53 PM |
12/23/07
Patriots blow past Dolphins to go 15-0 Fred Kirsch
The New England Patriots became the first team in NFL history to go 15-0 in the regular season with a 28-7 win over the Miami Dolphins. One more regular season game remains against the Giants next Saturday night.
For the Patriots it was one of those good news/bad news games.
Without a doubt, the fact that the 28-7 win over the Dolphins gave the Patriots their fifteenth win on the season against no losses far overshadowed an anemic offense in the second half. Tom Brady recorded three touchdown passes to give him 48 on the season and Randy Moss caught two of them to give him 20. Also hitting milestones was Wes Welker with catches 100 and 101, tying him with Troy Brown for the franchise season best.
Laurence Maroney had his most productive game as a Patriot yards-wise with 156 yards on only 14 carries and a touchdown. A 51- and 59-yard run accounted for most of that production.
The bad news is that the Dolphins defense managed to keep the Patriots completely off the scoreboard in the second half after the Patriots scored four touchdowns in the first.
After going without a touchdown last week against the Jets, Brady and Moss wasted no time hooking up for six. The 11-yard score came early in the first quarter after the Patriots had stopped the Dolphins three and out on the first possession of the game. New England took over after Troy Brown returned the Miami punt for 10 yards to the 30. From there Brady cut up the Miami defense like a surgeon, completing seven passes for 63 yards and a 10 yard keep.
The special teams play marked Brown's first action since 2006 and his 192nd game as a Patriot. Brown also had a 16 and 28-yard punt return along with a fumble on a fourth punt.
Brady and Moss did it again with 13:32 left in the second quarter. This one was a 1-yard pass immediately after Miami's Travis Daniels was flagged for pass interference on Moss in the end zone to set up the easy score. On the drive Laurence Maroney started things off with a 51-yard run down to the Dolphins 28, his longest of the season.
Maroney outdid himself on the Patriots next series. On a third and 1 carry from his 41 that the Dolphins defense sold out in the middle, Maroney broke through the left side of the line and went 59 yards completely untouched for a touchdown.
In addition to giving New England a 21-0 lead, that play also set a franchise record for net yards in a season with 6,015. The old record was set by the 1978 Patriots with 5,965 yards.
The Patriots were just as dominating on the other side of the ball. Through six first half drives the Dolphins had gained only 35 yards. Even a Brown muff of the Dolphins sixth punt of the day couldn't help Lemon and his offense. The Dolphins recovered around midfield but Jarvis Green dropped Jesse Chatman in the backfield for a loss of 5 yards and Miami wound up netting minus 2 for the series.
The Patriots got the ball back and made it four touchdowns out of five possessions. On second and 9 from the Miami 48, Brady looked to Gaffney along the left sideline. Lance Schulters seemed to have a bead on the pass but his attempt at an interception left him flying out of bounds and Gaffney racing into the end zone.
That score was touchdown number 71 on the season for New England, breaking the old record of 70 set by the 1984 Dolphins.
Miami finally put together a drive that got them as far as the Patriots 4-yard line at the end of the first half. Lemon hit David Martin for 28 yards to the New England 9 on a play the Eugene Wilson just missed breaking up. But with over a minute left, plenty of time to run four plays, Lemon spiked the ball limiting the Miami chances. He threw incomplete on second down and a third down pass to Greg Camarillo went for only 5 yards. Lemon's fourth down try over the middle to Justin Peelle was knocked down by Tedy Bruschi and the Patriots took their 28-0 lead to the locker room.
The second half began on a much different note for the Patriots offense. Brady's first two drives both ended in interceptions and both had him zeroing in on Moss. Pick number one was a first and 10 play from the Miami 29. Brady went to Moss in the end zone as safety help came in time and Jason Allen made the play. On the second pick, Brady tried to force it into Moss on third and 4 and Derrick Pope got in the way.
That second turnover led to the Dolphins driving down to the Patriots 1-yard line on eight plays. But on the ninth, Lemon kept the ball and headed to the end zone around his right end. He looked to have the angle for the pylon but misjudged where he was in relation to the goal line and went out of bounds short with Vrabel diving for his legs.
Miami challenged the play but the call on the field stood and the Patriots took over on the 1.
The Miami defense elected to drop back rather than blitz Brady and had good coverage on three straight plays. New England went three and out and Chris Hanson boomed a 64-yard punt to the Dolphins 35.
This time the Dolphins made the Patriots pay. Lorenzo Booker had the big play, a 22-yard run up the Patriots middle. The scoring play was a 21-yard pass to Camarillo with Ellis Hobbs in coverage.
Brady continued to throw it up as the game moved into the fourth quarter but Miami continued to keep New England off the board in the second half. A third and 5 pass from the Patriots 44 went deep, again to Moss, and fans screamed for pass interference as the Patriots wide receiver was sandwiched in front of the end zone. The ball fell harmlessly to the ground and the Patriots offense walked off the field for the fourth time in the second half without a point.
Not that the Dolphins threatened to end the Patriots winning streak at any point in the game but it was a bit distressing for Patriots fans to see the lack of production in the third and fourth quarters. A Joey Porter sack ended the Patriots fifth series and another incomplete heave downfield to Moss in triple coverage ended the sixth.
If not for the Patriots defense, Miami could have made it a game but Lemon wound up being sacked seven times with three of them coming on the Dolphins last two drives of the game.
The Patriots ended the game by pulling Brady at the two-minute warning as Matt Gutierrez took over under center. New England held onto the ball long enough to give it back to Miami with only 11 seconds on the clock and the 28-7 win in hand.
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DANG Peyton Manning Loves Kids |
12-25-2007 12:38 PM |
http://youtube.com/watch?v=szG-rdSIJO8&feature=related
Peyton Manning Loves Kids |
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DANG Patriots go 17-0 in regular season |
12-29-2007 9:29 PM |
FINAL
New England 38
gIaNts 35
Patriots go 17-0 in regular season
1. How is eLi mAnNiNg taking the gIaNtS to the playoffs
2. As a die hard Jet fan I dislike the Pats ~ Where natural enemies
But I admire the Pats and Belichick for there all out balls to the wall take no prisoners win win philosophy.
I hope they win the Super Bowl obviously going undefeated the entire season tying the 72' Dolphins.
1972 Dolphins ~ 17-0
2008 Patriots ~ 19 -0 ( *If it happens)
Maybe Colts if they meet maybe could beat the Pats..........Nobody else is in there league !
eLi mAnNiNg cleans Chad Pennington's jock strap
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DANG Pats 17-0 |
12-29-2007 9:34 PM |
NFL.com
It was over when ...
Laurence Maroney ran 5 yards for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 38-28 lead in the fourth quarter.
Game ball
Tom Brady was nearly flawless, despite playing without the right side of his offense line -- guard Steve Neal and tackle Nick Kaczur. Brady completed XX of XX passes for XXX yards and X touchdowns. Randy Moss also garners a game ball, hauling in two touchdown receptions. Moss' presence near the goal line opened up the running game for Maroney who finished with a pair of touchdowns.
Key stat
The Patriots did not turn the ball over. Both teams protected the ball very well. Ellis Hobb's interception on Eli Manning's pass with 9:53 in the fourth quarter was the game's first turnover. That play also set up the Patriots winning touchdown drive.
Noteworthy
Tom Brady set a single-season record for touchdown passes and Randy Moss set one for touchdown receptions when the two teamed up on a 65-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Patriots also set the single-season record for points scored on Brady's 4-yard touchdown pass to Moss in the second quarter, breaking the Vikings previous record of 556. You can see more on the records
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DANG Pats 17-0 |
12-29-2007 9:38 PM |
Passing Yards
1. T. Brady, NE, 356
2. E. Manning, NYG, 251
Rushing Yards
1. B. Jacobs, NYG, 67
2. L. Maroney, NE, 46
3. E. Manning, NYG, 13
4. H. Evans, NE, 4
5. R. Droughns, NYG, -1
Receiving Yards
1. W. Welker, NE, 122
2. R. Moss, NE, 100
3. P. Burress, NYG, 84
4. K. Faulk, NE, 64
5. K. Boss, NYG, 50
Scoring
1. L.Maroney, NE, 14
2. P.Burress, NYG, 12
3. S.Gostkowski, NE, 12
4. R.Moss, NE, 12
5. K.Boss, NYG, 6 |
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DANG Pats 17-0 |
12-29-2007 9:39 PM |
FINAL Giants Stadium
38
Listen
AT
35
Listen
1 2 3 4 OT T
Patriots (15-0-0) 3 13 7 15 38
Giants (10-5-0) 7 14 7 7 35
NE: T. Brady (32-42, 356) , W. Welker (11-122)
NYG: E. Manning (22-32, 251) , P. Burress (4-84) |
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DANG eLi mAnNiNg..... lmao.gif lmao.gif .... puke.gif . |
12-29-2007 9:59 PM |
| eLi mAnNiNg..... lmao.gif lmao.gif .... puke.gif ............. lmao.gif lmao.gif rofl.gif |
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Hermit Congratulations to the New England Patriots |
12-29-2007 10:02 PM |
Congratulations to the New England Patriots.
This post has been edited by Hermit: Yesterday, 10:01 PM |
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MAT Congrats to the Pats |
12-29-2007 10:04 PM |
Wow, good game, 38-35, a real squeaker!! Congrats to the Pats.
Just for fun, here are some past snippets about Tom Brady from my favorite blogger, www.wwtdd.com.
Brady is now dating supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Because that's what you do when you're the quarterback for a team that won the Superbowl three times and you look like a model. You replace Bridget Moynahan with a Victoria's Secret supermodel. The only downside is that there's no where for him to go from here, there's no one more beautiful, there's no way for him to trade up. If he breaks up with Gisele, he'll have to start fucking diamonds or an Aston Martin. Maybe an angel or a sunset, if he can figure out how.
and when his kid was born: Damn this is better than genetic engineering. A super hot piece of ass actress and a three time Super Bowl winning quarterback. This kid is already an American hero. You might as well have gotten John Wayne to have a kid with the Statue of Liberty. |
DANG eLi mAnNiNg..... lmao.gif lmao.gif .... puke.gif . |
12-29-2007 10:11 PM |
| eLi mAnNiNg..... lmao.gif lmao.gif .... puke.gif ............. lmao.gif lmao.gif rofl.gif |
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The Associated Press Pats 16-0 |
12-29-2007 10:42 PM |
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- With one mighty heave, Tom Brady and Randy Moss took care of the record books. Now it's down to business for the unbeaten New England Patriots: stamping themselves as the greatest team in NFL history.
The Patriots completed a perfect if somewhat joyless journey through the regular season Saturday night, finishing with a remarkable 16-0 record following a thrilling 38-35 comeback victory over the New York Giants.
New England became the first NFL team since the 1972 Dolphins to win every game on the schedule, and that one was only 14-0. This victory required a comeback from a 12-point deficit engineered by the brilliant Brady, and smashed the Patriots' league mark for consecutive victories.
Validation of their inexorable march through the season can only come by adding a Super Bowl championship, their fourth of the decade. Do that and there'll be no challenge to their spot at the top.
In gaining their 19th straight win over two seasons, the Patriots also got record-setting performances from Brady and Moss, including the winning score, a 65-yard bomb with 11:06 remaining. Brady beat Peyton Manning's mark of 49 touchdown passes by throwing two to Moss against the Giants (10-6), giving the star quarterback 50. Moss broke Jerry Rice's record of 22 TD receptions. And the Patriots finished with an incredible 589 points for the season, another single-season record.
Yet this was anything but a coronation. The Giants, with little to play for except spoiling New England's perfect ride -- New York is guaranteed playing at Tampa Bay in the playoffs next weekend -- led 28-16 in the third quarter. It was the Patriots' largest deficit all year as the Giants showed no fear and plenty of versatility, scoring the most points New England allowed in a game during this remarkable run.
An efficient Eli Manning, at times resembling his vaunted older brother, threw for four touchdowns. Domenik Hixon, in his first game as New York's primary kick returner, went 74 yards for a score 11 seconds after Brady and Moss tied their respective records.
Not to worry. These Patriots are unflappable, and they matched their comebacks in wins over Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Baltimore earlier in the season. A 73-yard drive ended with Laurence Maroney's 6-yard run to make it 28-23 with 4:00 to go in the third period.
Then came the most familiar of scenes: Brady dropping back, winding up and hitting a wide-open Moss in stride for a touchdown. The final go-ahead TD in their perfect year.
Although many are eager to hail these Patriots as the NFL's all-time best, such acclaim won't come unless they win two playoff games and their fourth Super Bowl this decade. And for those who might deny such greatness considering the "Spygate" scandal from early in the season, well, 19-0 would speak pretty loudly.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick hugged players and assistant coaches on the sideline as the game ended.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
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DANG Patriots go 16-0 |
12-29-2007 11:16 PM |
CORRECTION:
Patriots go 16-0 in regular season not 17-0 as I posted before.
Hope this did not cause any undue stress for anybody.
eLi mAnNiNg..... :rotflmao: :rotflmao: .... :puke: ............. :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rofl:
lol |
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3HRS from Chicago |
12-30-2007 07:40 AM |
| Since I am originally from Chicago, I am a lifelong Bears fan. I never had any dislike for the Patriots, especially since the Bears destroyed and annihilated them in SB XX. It was men against boys that day. Well, 5 years ago, a co-worker of mine grew into the most obnoxious Patriots fan. He was a So. Cal native, so WTF? Anyway, hours upon hours of Patriots this, and Brady that really got me hating the Pats. I have total respect for their "team" approach built by their cheating coach, and I think TB is in the top 3 qb's of the last 25 years (behind Montana and Favrinoway (Favre/Marino/Elway tie). But, I just can't stand them. I hope they make it to the SB and lose to whomever makes it from the NFC. It would rank as one of the biggest chokes of all time. Right there behind Greg Norman and others. |
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madison congrats Patriots...good game |
12-30-2007 07:47 AM |
I like the way Brady said after the game "yeh we were 10 or 11 points behind at one point"...he didn't let anything get in the way of his focus. he just dug his heels in and nothing was going take that 16-0 away. I like the one throw of many where he had NO view of his receiver but he sent it on target. reminds me of Montana in the 80's.
congrats Patriots...good game!!!!!!! |
Elenacell Tom Brady makes watching football worthwhile. |
12-30-2007 07:50 AM |
| Tom Brady makes watching football worthwhile. |
JETCOW JETS FINISH SEASON 4-12 |
12-30-2007 6:01 PM |
Chiefs Vs. Jets
12/30/2007 ~~~ 4:15pm
FINAL / OT
KC 10
Jets 13
JETS FINISH SEASON 4-12
Jets need:
1. Sure up offensive line ~ # 1 Priority
2. Sure up defensive line
3. If Clemmons is the new QB it would be like in the late 70's the Yankee pitching sucks
So they get rid of Thurman Munson and put in a pretender catcher.
So they upgrade there pitching now they have a average catcher at best.
4 Jets special teams are solid.
5. Sure up the O line keep Chad and Clemmons is his back up
6. Chad Pennington is the 1st or 2nd most accurate passenger in NFL history
7. Add a few pieces and Jets are back in playoffs with Chad at QB
KEEP IN MIND ~~~ JANUARY 12, 1969 ~ THEN
AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON
AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON
AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON
AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON
AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON
AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON
AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON
AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON
AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON
AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON
AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON
AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON |
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ed the Patriots |
12-30-2007 6:19 PM |
There's something kinda "eeeesh" about the Patriots. I hope they lose.
Good call about Joe Cool, 180 minutes!!! IMHO, he's the best, no question. I'm a lifelong 49er's fan and have been through a down cycle before. But it was sure a fun ride in the 80's watching my team do what New England is now doing. I'm sure people felt that way about the Niners then as I do about the Pats now.
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JETCOW The 2008 NFL Amateur Draft order |
12-30-2007 7:24 PM |
The 2008 NFL Amateur Draft order:
If Tennessee beats Indianapolis tonight:
1. Miami 1-15, 138 opponent wins
2. St. Louis 3-13, 131
3 (tie). Kansas City 4-12, 132, 3-9 AFC
3 (tie). Oakland 4-12, 132, 4-8 AFC
3 (tie). Atlanta 4-12, 132
6. New York Jets 4-12, 134
7. San Francisco (held by New England) 5-11, 119
8. Baltimore 5-11, 132
9. Cincinnati 7-9, 118
10. New Orleans 7-9, 123
11 (tie). Buffalo 7-9, 132
11 (tie). Denver 7-9, 132
13. Carolina 7-9, 134
14. Chicago 7-9, 139, 2-4 NFC North
15. Detroit 7-9, 139, 3-3 NFC North
16. Arizona 8-8, 111
17. Minnesota 8-8, 129
18. Houston 8-8, 132
19. Philadelphia 8-8, 144
20. Tampa Bay 9-7, 120
21. Washington 9-7, 142
22. Cleveland 10-6, 110, no playoffs (pick held by Dallas)
23. Seattle 10-6, 106
24. Pittsburgh 10-6, 116
25. Tennessee 10-6, 128
26. New York Giants 10-6, 132
27. San Diego 11-5, 128
28. Jacksonville 11-5, 132
29. Green Bay 13-3, 120
30. Dallas 13-3, 127
31. Indianapolis 13-3, 132 (pick held by San Francisco)
32. New England 16-0, 120 (no pick).
If Indianapolis beats Tennessee tonight:
1. Miami 1-15, 138 opponent wins
2. St. Louis 3-13, 131
3 (tie). Kansas City 4-12, 132, 3-9 AFC
3 (tie). Oakland 4-12, 132, 4-8 AFC
3 (tie). Atlanta 4-12, 132
6. New York Jets 4-12, 133
7. San Francisco (held by New England) 5-11, 119
8. Baltimore 5-11, 133
9. Cincinnati 7-9, 117
10. New Orleans 7-9, 123
11 (tie). Buffalo 7-9, 132
11 (tie). Denver 7-9, 132
13. Carolina 7-9, 134
14. Chicago 7-9, 139, 2-4 NFC North
15. Detroit 7-9, 139, 3-3 NFC North
16. Arizona 8-8, 111
17. Minnesota 8-8, 129
18. Houston 8-8, 132
19. Philadelphia 8-8, 144
20. Tennessee 9-7, 130, no playoffs
21. Tampa Bay 9-7, 120
22. Washington 9-7, 142
23. Seattle 10-6, 106
24. Cleveland 10-6, 110 (pick held by Dallas)
25. Pittsburgh 10-6, 116
26. New York Giants 10-6, 132
27. San Diego 11-5, 128
28. Jacksonville 11-5, 132
29. Green Bay 13-3, 120
30. Dallas 13-3, 127
31. Indianapolis 14-2, 130 (pick held by San Francisco)
32. New England 16-0, 121 (no pick).
Note that Kansas City, Oakland and Atlanta will be involved in potentially a two-tiered coin flip. The first flip, between Kansas City and Atlanta, will determine the 3rd pick. If Atlanta wins that flip, Kansas City will pick 4th and Oakland 5th. If Kansas City wins that flip, a second coin flip, between Oakland and Atlanta, will determine the 4th and 5th picks.
Buffalo and Denver will also flip a coin for the 11th and 12th picks.
These coin flips would take place about a month before the draft.
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DANG 16-0 in the books Fred Kirsch |
12-30-2007 7:59 PM |
12/30/07
16-0 in the books Fred Kirsch
Finally, it's in the books. The New England Patriots are the first team in NFL history to win 16 regular season games with a 38-35, much tougher than expected win over the New York Giants.
The New England Patriots finished the 2007 NFL regular season doing everything a team could possibly do. They won blowouts and close ones, come-from-behind ones and bad weather ones. They won them all and are now the first team in league history to win 16 regular season games.
After battling an inspired Giants team that had its own idea of making history, the Patriots came out on top, 38-35. It took Tom Brady passing for 356 yards (32 of 42) with two touchdowns and his two favorite targets coming up equally big. Wes Welker had 11 catches for 122 yards and Randy Moss had 6 receptions for 100 yards and two record-breaking touchdowns.
A well-deserved week off awaits before the second season begins at Gillette Stadium.
Any thought that the Giants might take this game lightly with a playoff game next week to prepare for was quickly dispelled on the second play of the game. On second and 6 from his 30, Eli Manning dropped back and heaved a 52-yard pass down the middle of the field that Plaxico Burress brought in at the Patriots 18. From there, Manning hit Burress again, on third down, for 10 yards to the 8. Two plays later Brandon Jacobs slanted across the middle, caught Manning's pass and dove in from 7 yards out for the game's first touchdown.
New England got three points back with a Stephen Gostkowski 37-yard field goal on the following series. The scoring drive went 54 yards in 12 plays with Brady doing all of the work through the air with his two top receivers Moss and Welker. Ben Watson had two chances to chip in but dropped both passes thrown his way.
Brady got the ball back after Amani Toomer dropped a third and 11 pass that would have been a first down around the Giants 35. Instead, they punted and the Patriots took over at midfield.
After Laurence Maroney got dropped for a loss of 4 on second down and Brady got sacked by Antonio Pierce on third and 14, it certainly looked like the Patriots would do nothing with their good field position. But a flag was thrown just prior to the sack and the call was illegal contact downfield on New York's Corey Webster. The defensive penalty gave New England an automatic first down and new life.
Brady was not about to squander the second chance. He immediately hit Donte Stallworth for 13 yards and then a wide open Welker for 19 to the Giants 17. Kevin Faulk got in on the action with a catch for 11 yards to the 6. The teams changed ends for the start of the second quarter and when play resumed Brady connected with Moss for the touchdown on a ball Moss pulled down over two defenders.
It was Brady's 49th touchdown throw of the season, tying him with Peyton Manning for the league record.
The Patriots 10-7 lead was short-lived to say the least. On the ensuing kickoff, Domenik Hixon went up the middle, across midfield, broke to his left and was gone for a 74-yard return and a Giants 14-10 lead. Hixon had the benefit of taking the kick at his 26 due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Moss after the previous touchdown. Moss took a little too long to spike the ball after the play and was flagged.
New England bounced right back but for only another Gostkowski field goal, this one from 45 yards out. The Giants defense was playing the line of scrimmage tough, making things difficult for the Patriots running game and Brady's short passes.
After four Giants plays the Patriots had the ball back again, trailing 14-13. This time the Patriots were able to run with success. Maroney started out the drive by crashing ahead for 10 yards and had three other runs of 4 yards each. Heath Evans converted a third and 1 with a 4-yard run. That play was followed by a 21-yard catch by Watson down to the Giants 25. But for the third time, the Patriots had to settle for three, a 37-yard field goal to regain the lead at 16-14.
With 1:56 left in the half, the Giants showed that they were sticking around in a big way. Manning drove down the field with a 23-yard throw to Kevin Boss on a play he had to run out of the pocket to buy time on. He also found Toomer and Jacobs for 19 and 17 yards, and finally Boss in the end zone from 3 yards out.
That closed out the first half scoring. To the delight of non-Patriots fans across the country and the three networks covering the game, New England, down 21-16, would have to stage a second half comeback to fulfill its mission.
That mission became increasingly difficult when the Giants stopped the Patriots three and out to start the second half, got the ball and drove 60 yards for a 28-16 lead. Jacobs simply manhandled any would-be tackler in his way to runs of 4, 16 and 15. From 18 yards out Manning found Burress along the right edge of the end zone for the score.
Brady came right back. On third and 8 from his 29, he hit Watson for 15 yards on a play his line gave him good protection on. Welker then took over with three straight catches of 28, 4 and 8 down to the Giants 16. After a 2-yard run by Maroney Brady just missed getting hit, stepped up in the pocket and fired to Moss in the corner of the end zone. Moss was covered by Gerris Wilkinson, a linebacker, and he could do nothing but run right into Moss. The pass interference call brought the ball to the 1, first and goal. A 5-yard penalty on the Patriots for illegal formation made the line of scrimmage the 6. From there, Maroney followed a great block by Welker for the touchdown to make the score 28-23 with 3:53 left in the third quarter.
The Patriots defense was having trouble stopping Manning with his mid-range attempts and on the next drive, that trend continued until Adalius Thomas blitzed on a second and 8 play from the Patriots 41.
Manning retreated but Thomas caught him for a 14-yard loss and the Giants eventually punted after a Jacobs catch for only 9 yards.
As play moved into the fourth quarter, both teams exchanged punts and with 11:29 left the Patriots had the ball first and 10 at their 35. Brady's first short attempt sailed over Welker's head. On his next one he looked deep. Moss had his man beat and better yet, Gibril Wilson fell down leaving him all alone.
And he dropped it.
At the very least the play would have put the Patriots in the Giants red zone but more likely it would have been six. No matter. Brady went right back to Moss. This time he beat Reggie Torbor down the right sideline and Brady hit him in stride.
The 65-yard touchdown pass broke the league record for Brady while Moss broke Jerry Rice's old record for receiving touchdowns in a season of 22. Much more important, with Maroney's successful two-point conversion run that followed, it gave New England the lead at 31-28.
Now the pressure was on the Giants and it showed. On second and 7 from his 27, Manning looked to Burress along the left sideline but overthrew him right into the arms of Ellis Hobbs. Hobbs kept his feet in bounds and the Patriots had the ball back on their 48.
Brady hit Stallworth on first down for 17 yards but was sacked on the next play by Torbor for a loss of 10. Brady made up the yards in two plays with a 9 yard pass to Welker and 13 to Faulk on third and 11. Welker caught another ball, number 11 on the night, for 12 yards on third and 9 later in the drive. After a 5-yard pass to Moss, Maroney ran it up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown.
Despite being down by 10 and deep in the fourth quarter, the Giants were going for the win. Manning and the rest of the Giants starters remained in the game. By the two minute warning the Giants were first and 10 on the Patriots 16, looking to make it a one score game.
Back from the break, Manning hit a streaking Steve Smith over the middle for 12 yards setting up first and goal from the 4. He then slightly overthrew to Burress in the end zone to make it second down. Manning looked to David Tyree next but the swing pass resulted in a 1-yard loss. Vince Wilfork got flagged for encroachment on third down bringing the ball to the 3. Finally, Manning found Burress for the touchdown to close the gap to three points with 1:04 left to play.
New York went for the onsides kick in a last ditch effort to make their own kind of history but the Patriots were ready and Mike Vrabel came up with the ball at the Patriots 41. All that was left were three Brady kneel downs and the first 16-0 season in NFL history was in the books.
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