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Berger’s Burg: Giants stage miracle in win over Patriots

By Alex Berger

I think back to the first two games of the regular season, when the Giants were unceremoniously defeated by the Dallas Cowboys (away) and Green Bay Packers (at home). The pundits were quick to bury the team and demanded that heads should roll. But did the team fold up their tents and die? No! They went on a winning spree and won their remaining seven away games, three away playoff games and the Super Bowl, in which they were designated the away team. This was a record-setting accomplishment.How did this absolute impossibility (the Giants winning the Super Bowl) become a reality? I gave it much thought and came up with the most probable answer possible. It had to be the Giants “Football Angels.” Yes, their two owners, Wellington Mara and Bob Tisch, who died two years ago, are still keeping a watchful eye on their beloved team. They stand as beacons, ready to thrust miracles upon their team, whenever necessary (as was the case in the Super Bowl). I have no doubt the Giants' miracles performed in the Super Bowl were the doings of their two “football angels” and they helped the Giants become champions. How else can you explain the following miracles?a) During a playoff game, Lawrence Tynes kicked the game-winning, 47-yard, field goal (the longest in Super Bowl history) in frigid Green Bay, with a frozen, rock-solid football. This allowed the Giants to advance to the Super Bowl. b) “The Double Miracle”: 1) There were only 90 seconds remaining. The Giants were behind 14-10 and defeat was imminent. Eli Manning (not very elusive) managed to escape a blitz as Patriot players grabbed his jersey and his waist. This fancy footwork permitted him to complete a vital 37-yard pass to his fourth-tier receiver, David Tyree). 2) Tyree, covered closely by All-Pro safety Marvin Harrison, caught the football against his helmet as Harrison continually pummeled and punched at the football. Tyree miraculously managed to hold onto the ball. It was called “the greatest catch in Super Bowl history.”c) Eli Manning's defining drive for the winning touchdown was one for the ages.d) Plaxico Burress caught the winning touchdown with 35 seconds to go.I am aware of the many great Giant teams in the past. During pre-Super Bowl seasons, their teams, with players such as Charley Conerly, Y.A. Tittle, Sam Huff, Frank Gifford, Kyle Rote, etc., were true champions. In their time, each NFL winner was the greatest Giants team of all. However, when the Super Bowl era began, I considered the Giants Super Bowl XXI team of 1986 (which handily defeated Denver 39-20), with Phil Simms, Mark Bavaro, and Joe Morris, to be my greatest Giants team of all time.However, again came the Giants of Super Bowl XXV, in 1991, which beat Buffalo 20-19 with all-pro players like Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson and O.J. Anderson. They were my greatest Giants team of all time.I'll pass on the Giants team of Super Bowl XXXV team, in 2001, which lost to the Baltimore Ravens 34-7. Now the Giants, victors of Super Bowl XLII, in 2008, who may not have been the most talented, nor have as many all-star players as the other championship Giants teams were, indeed, the pluckiest, grittiest, most determined team of them all. And, with the assistance from their “football angels,” they won their greatest victory in the greatest game the Giants ever played. And for that for me, this team is the greatest Giants team of all. Who wanted it more? The Giants (and their football angels)!