Superbowl History

This Day in History: February 3, 2008

Today's day in history is somewhat reflective of the final results yesterday in the Superbowl XLVIII...not so much the score but the winner. The game of February 3, 2008 faced off the New York Giants against the New England Patriots. When the Patriots arrived at Super Bowl XLII, they were already billed as the greatest team in NFL history. But history had a different ending to the story than that which was predicted.

The Superbowl XLII championship game was played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. It was the Patriots who were favored to win. In fact, they were dubbed as 12-point favorites after becoming the first team to complete a perfect regular season since the 1972 Miami Dolphins. That positioned the Giants as the 12-point underdogs.

University of Phoenix Stadium during Super Bowl XLII game day February 3, 2008.

Unlike yesterday's Superbowl game, Superbowl XLII is best remembered for the Giants' fourth-quarter game-winning drive. The game was tight throughout keeping fans on pins and needles as to who would come out on top. Bets were on the Patriots and odds were they would win. Fate decided differently.

Their Super Bowl hopes dwindling and just one minute, 15 seconds left on the clock, Giants quarterback Eli Manning pulled away from several Patriots defensive players and threw the ball down the field. This was the first of four remaining plays that sealed the win for the Giants and a victory celebration of a 17-14 final score.

New York Giants (NFC) New England Patriots (AFC) 17 14
1 2 3 4 Total NYG 3 0 0 14 17 NE 0 7 0 7 14
Date	February 3, 2008
Stadium	University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
MVP	Eli Manning, Quarterback
Favorite	Patriots by 12
Referee	Mike Carey
Attendance	71,101

Interestingly enough, Eli Manning, the younger brother of superstar QB Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts at the time, took home Super Bowl MVP honors, matching his brother's feat one year earlier in Super Bowl XLI.  Superbowl XLII is one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history.

The big screen at Giants Stadium during the Super Bowl XLII
victory rally at the New Jersey Meadowlands.