By Cody Marshall-Sultan of Sports

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.–For the second time in the last five years, the Lombardi Trophy will find its home in the Meadowlands of New Jersey. After trailing as much as 17-9 in the third quarter, the New York Giants scored 12 unanswered points on their way to a 21-17 win in Super Bowl XLVI. The win gives the Giants their fourth Super Bowl win in five tries, with their only loss coming to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. Meanwhile, the Patriots have now lost their last two Super Bowls (both to the Giants) and are now 3-4 all-time in the big game. As for the quarterback-coach tandems, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are now 3-2 in Super Bowls, while Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning are 2-0.

With all of the news surrounding Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski’s ankle injury, it was no surprise to me that he did end up playing. However, it left the big question: How would he play?

Early on, defense was the huge factor. On the first drive of the game, the Giants managed the move the ball effectively into field goal range at the New England 33 until 3 straight plays, including 2 sacks, knocked the Giants back to the Patriots 44. Weatherford’s punt was a beautiful one, and was downed at the 6 yard line.

The Patriots’ first drive was a short one and probably the worst all season. On the first play of the drive, Tom Brady dropped back into his own endzone and threw a pass down the field with no receiver in sight in order to avoid a sack by Giants’ defensive end Justin Tuck. Due to the rule change a few years ago, the ruling was a safety because the penalty occured in the endzone. The penalty put the Giants up 2-0 with the opportunity to get the ball back on the free kick. The Giants next drive began after the free kick was returned to the 22. From there, the Giants looked like they might be sealing the deal quickly. Within the span of 3 plays, the Giants moved the ball 45 yards to the New England 33. Five plays later, the Giants avoided a scare when Victor Cruz caught the ball at the 7 and then fumbled the ball, which was recovered by New England linebacker Brandon Spikes. However, at the time of the snap, the Patriots had 12 men on the field, resulting in a Giants first down and goal from the 6. Two plays later, Manning made the Patriots pay as he hooked up with Victor Cruz from 2 yards out to give the Giants an early 9-0 lead.

However, the Patriots weren’t about to go down easily. The ensuing drive lasted 4 minutes and 36 seconds and resulted in Stephen Gostkowski’s 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter. From there, the Patriots defense finally came to life, stopping the Giants on 2 consecutive drives before Tom Brady moved his team down the field and connected with Danny Woodhead on the 4-yard pass with 15 seconds to play to put the Pats up 10-9.

After Madonna’s hafltime show, the Patriots were right back at it again. The Giants defense once again had trouble defending Tom Brady and the quick passes that the Patriots have been known for. After an 8-play drive, the Patriots had found the endzone once again when Aaron Hernandez received a pass from 12 yards out to put the Patriots up 17-9.

Now, it was time for the same magic to occur that happened in Super Bowl XLII. On the ensuing drive, the Giants marched right down the field in four and a half minutes and Lawrence Tynes put three on the board with his first field goal from 38 yards out, making it 17-12 Patriots. After forcing a three-and-out on the ensuing Patriots drive, the Giants managed to move within two after Tynes was called on from 33 yards out and left no doubt as he made it a 17-15 contest with 40 seconds to play in the 3rd quarter. As the quarter came to an end, the Patriots were just 15 minutes away from a Super Bowl win just like in Super Bowl XLII when they lossed 17-14 to the Giants.

On the following Patriots drive, the New England offense looked poised and ready to deliver. However, on 1st and 10 from the New England 43, Tom Brady under threw Rob Gronkowski and Chase Blackburn came up with the interception at the New York 8 yard line. The Giants worked the ball down the field to the New England 43 before being forced to punt on a golden opportunity to take the lead. However, after twelve plays by the Patriots, the Giants had the ball once again.

It was the first play of this drive that brought back the magic of Super Bowl XLII. Eli Manning dropped back to pass and threw a perfect ball down the sideline that was hauled in by Mario Manningham, moving the ball to midfield after a gain of 38. Bill Belichick’s challenge came to no avail when it was clear that Manningham had managed to get both feet down in bounds almost immediately after gaining possession. Six plays later, the Giants had first and goal from the Patriots 7. Ahmad Bradshaw moved to the 6 yard line with a one yard rush. Then, with tackle Tony Ugoh reporting eligible, Bradshaw took the handoff from Manning and, after trying to decide between scoring and killing the clock, fell into the endzone for the touchdown. The two point conversion attempt failed, but the damage was done as the Giants took a 21-17 lead with just 57 seconds to play.

On the ensuing drive, the Patriots saw two straight dropped passes that left them with 3rd and 10 with 48 second to play. Then, Brady was sacked for a loss of 6 by Justin Tuck, knocking the clock down to 36 seconds. On 4th and 16, all the Giants needed was a stop and they were Super Bowl champions. However, Brady managed to escape the pocket and make a tremendous play, finding Deion Branch for a gain of 19, stopping the clock at 32 seconds. Then, another completion to Aaron Hernandez put the Patriots to their own 44. A spike stopped the clock with 19 seconds to play. From there, a pass intended for Branch was incomplete and left the Patriots with just 5 seconds to go 56 yards. As a result, Tom Brady threw up a hail mary to the endzone that was batted away by Kenny Phillips, and nearly caught on a diving effort by Rob Gronkowski. As the ball hit the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Giants began their celebration as they had knocked off the Patriots for the 2nd time in just 5 seasons.

Eli Manning won the Super Bowl MVP award and received a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Corvette as a result.

Heading into next year, there are more questions than answers for the Patriots. Wes Welker, Deion Branch, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis are just 3 of the 20 free agents that might not return in a Patriots uniform next season. After the comments made by Gisele, some of the receivers might not want to back for the Patriots. Either way, the Patriots offseason might be just as interesting as their regular season.

The Giants will look to defend the Super Bowl title next year when the Road to Super Bowl XLVII begins in September. The Super Bowl will be played in New Orleans for the first time since 2002 when the Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams, giving Tom Brady his first Super Bowl victory.