Just where does the New York Giants' dramatic victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII rank?
After all, the Giants were a 14-point underdog, and they were taking on the first team to reach the Super Bowl with a perfect 18-0 record.
In pure football terms, this was not the biggest upset in Super Bowl history.Not even close.
Even though New York was the fifth seed in the NFC, having won three road games in the playoffs to reach the Super Bowl, this Giants team was hardly a lightweight.
They were led by a solid quarterback who was picked first overall in 2004. They had a stout defense that already gave New England all it could handle in the regular-season finale. They were coached by a veteran staff led by Tom Coughlin that's hardly intimidated by the spotlight.
On the flip side, despite the Patriots arrived with an 18-0 record, there were serious signs of trouble. They had to eke out several close games down the stretch in the regular season.
They had trouble putting away flawed teams in Jacksonville and San Diego in the playoffs. They had an old defense that was wearing down. And Randy Moss was virtually silent in the postseason.
The fact that the Patriots were primed for an upset manifested itself in Las Vegas' worst day ever at the sportsbooks—Vegas books lost a record $2.6 million on the Super Bowl.
Mind you, Vegas does not fall victim to its own lines often—the last net loss for the books was in 1995 when San Francisco blew out San Diego. But bettors chose the Giants overwhelmingly, not only on the point spread, but also on the money line. Yes, lots of people thought—correctly—that the Giants would win outright.
Ironically, the Patriots' win over the Rams in 2001 Super Bowl that inaugurated their dynasty was perhaps the greatest upset in pure football terms. That edition of the Rams, led by league MVP Kurt Warner and offensive player of the year Marshall Faulk, should have won that game going away. But for head coach Mike Martz's stubborn refusal to let loose the running game, the Patriots stayed close enough to steal the contest at the end.
There are other football upsets that made better arguments than the Giants' win: The Jets' historic win over the Colts in Super Bowl III, Denver over Green Bay in 1997, heck, even the Giants' own close shave against the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV might have been a bigger upset.
But where the Giants' upset rates high is in terms of historic significance. Denying a team its place in the NFL pantheon is no small feat. No team with an undefeated record had ever been beaten in the Super Bowl. For that, the Giants' upset is the second greatest ever.
Behind, of course, the one by that other New York team.
2 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Anonymous about 1 year ago
Sorry, but you do not know what you are talking about. This was the most historic run to the Super Bowl as well as the most significant Super Bowl Win in history! The Giants never had a chance to beat Tampa Bay, or Dallas and last but not least, Green Bay all on the road in difficult conditions. I think you should reconsider what you believe to be significant. Many would argue with your conclusion. SlingDing
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Wow, wait a minute..up to the kickoff the So Called experts said..Brady could be the greatest quarterback of all time, Randy Moss broke Jerry Rice's record, 3 time superbowl champion's, the highest scoring offense in the history of the league, belicheck the greatest scheme coach on defense in the NFL, multiple pro bowl players for the Patriots including 3 on the offensive line who will shut down the giants front 4. Vagas opened the betting at 14pts. They had a few weeks earlier beaten the G men though it was close for a period. Turned out Belicheck got outcoached by Spags, Brady was frustrated by pass rush..dreadlocked running back shut down, thus became 1 dementional, the giants were supposed to be poor in the secondary..yet they shut down, Farve, Garcia,Romo, than Brady all Pro bowlers in successive weeks..Eli picked apart the probowl D backfield linebackers and secondary of New England. Giant O Line was standout again yet the "experts" cant even name 3 of the five starters. on..and on..The greatest thing about the victory was all the Media Talking heads proved once again they get paid to much to talk. Rod woodson on NFL network had picked the G men and everyone laughed at him..who's laughing now. IF new england wins that game they would be considered the greatest team of all time..so to beat them you beat the best "od all time" period.
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