vs.

10 - 9

Super Bowl XLVI Game Thread #3

New England Patriots vs. New York Giants

Sunday, February 5th, 2012 | 6:29 PM ET | TV: NBC

Giants Coverage: Big Blue View

First half thoughts:

• Disappointing to see the Patriots only get a field goal on that opening drive of the 2nd quarter. Erases the safety by the Giants, but doesn't do much else. The Pats will have to take advantage of their red zone opportunities.
• Good "bend but don't break" defense by the Patriots for the majority of the second quarter. The team is limiting deep shots from Eli Manning and while they're giving up yardage and half been on the field for the majority of the game, they're doing whatever they can to keep the Patriots in this game.
• And although it seemed as if the Giants had dominated this entire game, Brady leads the Patriots 96 yards in 14 plays to close out the first half and give the Patriots a 10-9 lead. The drive was capped with a four yard Brady to Woodhead touchdown pass on a third down.
• The Patriots have the ball to start the second half with a new-found momentum on their side. This wasn't the way we thought the first half would turn out, but the Patriots have the lead, and that's what counts. A touchdown to begin the second half would be huge.