Eli Manning David Letterman Video: Watch Super Bowl 2012 MVP on Late Show

"It worked out."

These words from Super Bowl XLVI MVP Eli Manning were used to describe the play that could've gone horribly wrong for the New York Giants.

Instead, it simply "worked out."

Ahmad Bradshaw's touchdown on 2nd-and-goal from the 6-yard line was a touchdown the running back never wanted. The New England Patriots defense parted like the Red Sea, and Bradshaw hit the hole so hard he didn't have time to stop and wound up falling backwards into the end zone.

Had he gone down at the one and the Giants successfully kicked the ensuing field goal, the Patriots would have had roughly 20 seconds and no timeouts to get into field-goal range for the win.

None of that matters now, though. What could've, should've or would've been is a pointless game to play.

That play is just one of many that ultimately "worked out" for the Super Bowl champions.

For the second time in five years, the Patriots and Tom Brady had the ball with minimal time on the clock, trailing by more than three points with no timeouts remaining in the Super Bowl.

And for the second time in five years, they fell short to the New York Giants and Manning.

Both quarterbacks would rather have the ball with the game on the line, but it was Manning who had done enough work to ensure that if he didn't have the ball, Brady wouldn't have the time.

Brady's three Super Bowl rings are something special, and the fact that Manning now has two—both at Brady's expense—is something remarkable.

With Manning involved, the Giants will always have a chance of things working out. They'll always be able to count on that.

For Eli's full interview with Letterman on the Late Show, check out Part 1 and Part 2.