Final Score: Giants 24, Patriots 20
The New York Giants visit Foxborough Sunday to square off with the New England Patriots. Depending on your allegiances, the build-up has been either a blessing or a curse.
Memories of Super Bowl XLII have been evoked all week, which marks the last time these storied franchises met in a competitive matchup.
Back then, the Patriots were gunning for immortality and a perfect 19-0 season, while the Giants caught lightning in a bottle. They became the "road warriors" that would derail Tom Brady with their trademark pass rush, en route to lifting the Lombardi Trophy.
Although the quarterbacks and head coaches remain the same, much has changed since 2008.
The Giants now run a pass-heavy offense, led by Eli Manning, whose maturation into elite quarterback status is almost complete. He ought to have a field day against a Patriots defense that ranks dead last in the NFL, who were victimized by the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend.
Tom Brady is still smarting from that loss and you can be sure his offense will bite back in what promises to be a high-scoring encounter at Gillette Stadium.
New York is likely to be without their starting running back (Ahmad Bradshaw, broken foot) and top wide receiver (Hakeem Nicks, hamstring) at the very least. Their top pass-rusher, Jason Pierre-Paul, continues his recovery from a concussion, while cornerback Prince Amukamara is questionable for his pro debut.
For the Patriots, Bill Belichick will be eager to send star middle linebacker Jerod Mayo (MCL sprain) back into the fray after the team's coverage and tackling issues in recent weeks.
Follow me from 3:15 p.m. ET as I build up to kickoff with news, previews and predictions.
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In case you missed Giants TE Jake Ballard's game-winning touchdown catch with just 19 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, we've got you covered!
Check out the video here.
Just one more point, actually.
I didn't give enough credit earlier to Eli Manning, not just for the win on the final drive, but for getting the job done when he wasn't playing particularly well.
He will be called elite after this game, and winning with clutch plays is a hallmark of the great quarterbacks in this league, so it would be hard to disagree.
I get the feeling the Eli story isn't over yet this season, as games like the home loss to Seattle provide a clue into the fragility of public perception.
One minute, you're elite, the next minute, you're a pale imitation of your older brother.
Likewise Tom Brady. Is he a ageing, flawed quarterback whose best days are behind him after that performance? Or is he still up there with Aaron Rodgers as the best player in this league?
Opinions change from week to week, but the body of work keeps on stacking up for these two men.
Let Eli have his day in the sun. With more performances like that, he'll have to prepare his team for a deep playoff run.
Congratulations to the Giants, and hard luck, Patriots fans.
That's it from me today, folks. Thanks for checking in. Those of you who stuck it through were rewarded with a tense, thrilling finish, so well done all of you.
Come and follow me on Twitter @nickbutterworth and I'll pick the bones of this one over the next day or so.
Analysis for Patriots fans
You might feel like the sky is falling right now, but there were some positives to take out of that defeat. Let's address them before we stick the boot in.
The defense responded after the Pittsburgh loss, when they couldn't stop a nosebleed. Until the final drive, they did enough to win the game for New England. Plenty of three-and-outs, and a nice amount of quarterback pressure despite zero sacks represent the positives.
Then there's Wes Welker. Who wouldn't want him on their offense?
On the other hand, Sergio Brown, who has done precious little to help the Patriots this season, blew the game on a rough play on the one yard line.
Also, it took a very long time for the offense to get going today. 342 yards for Brady in the end, but two picks and a fumble proved costly. It wasn't his finest day at the office.
Up next? The Jets, at MetLife. Not the place you want to be travelling to after consecutive losses.
The season is on a knife-edge at 5-3. Bill Belichick will face one of the toughest media weeks he has endured during his career in Boston this week.
Analysis for Giants fans
That was a clutch finish from a number of key performers. Jake Ballard, Eli Manning and Victor Cruz were huge today.
Going 6-2 and beginning the brutal stretch of your schedule with one of the toughest prizes in the league (an away victory at Gillette Stadium) not only has to feel good, but puts you in the driving seat in the NFC East. The Eagles are snapping at your heels and you want to get to 11 wins to secure that division.
Having a defense that achieves what it sets out to accomplish will serve you throughout the cold weather in December, so good times lie ahead for Big Blue.
Final score: Giants 24, Patriots 20
Brady suffers his first loss at Gillette Stadium since 2006. That was a remarkable performance by the Giants defense throughout, who would have been hard done by had Brady iced the game with 90 seconds left on the clock.
The game came alive in the second half, with performances from Michael Boley, Jake Ballard and Wes Welker among the highlights.
There's lots to reflect on here, so I'm going to stick around for a few minutes and try and recap the madness of the fourth quarter.
Touchdown!!!
Jake Ballard gets it done in the end zone with 15 seconds left.
Giants 24, Patriots 20
Sergio Brown costs the Patriots the game. That is horrendous. Pass interference? I wouldn't be surprised if Belichick cuts him after that.
He'd probably rather play no safety at all than play Brown after that.
No need for David Tyree today. Jake Ballard's your new hero, New York. What a catch!
I'm going to need a cold shower after this one. It's all on Eli's shoulders, just like the entire Giants' fortunes this season.
Touchdown!!!
Rob Gronkowski, at the third time of asking, gets in the end zone for the go-ahead score.
That's why Tom Brady will go down as one of the most clutch players of all time.
Eli Manning still has a minute and a half to respond, though.
This game had nothing. Now it has it all. You can keep your all-action offenses, Green Bay and San Diego. You have nothing on this tension!
Giants 17, Patriots 20
4th and 8. I think I'd have taken a time out too.
Two more plays for Brady to save the game. This is serious tension....
Deion Branch has been quiet today, but in times of need, he's there when Brady reaches for him. Just over halfway, this is the game right here.
Gronkowski meanwhile, is a beast, and creates havoc and panic in equal measure.
Two minute warning
Touchdown: Super Mario takes one in the back corner of the end zone with three minutes left to play. Huge play, perfect throw from Manning, and the Patriots will get it back in Brady's hands for one final drive.
He did it three weeks ago versus Dallas, will he do it again?
Giants 17, Patriots 13
