19NFLThe Helmet Catch
- Date
2/3/2008
- Location
University of Phoenix Stadium | Glendale, Ariz.
- Moment
Down 14-10 with 1:16 left in Super Bowl XLII against the undefeated New England Patriots, the Giants faced a third-and-five on their own 44-yard line. On that play, quarterback Eli Manning escaped several New England defenders and threw up a desperation heave to David Tyree, a receiver who was seldom-used during the season. In a jump ball against safety Rodney Harrison, Tyree caught the ball by pinning it against his helmet, securing a 32-yard gain.
- Impact
Four plays after that, the Giants scored on a touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress, giving them a 17-14 victory. The Super Bowl win stopped New England’s bid at a perfect season, which hasn’t been accomplished since the 1972 Dolphins.
