Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

While Mario Manningham has slowly been slipping down the depth charts in New York, he might have given himself a jet-propelled kick start into his offseason of free agency—and perhaps a return to Michigan makes sense.

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Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

New York Giants 21, New England Patriots 17 (box score)

The New York Giants weren’t the heavy underdogs against the Patriots that they were four years ago but the result was the same. Eli Manning led a late scoring drive to take the lead and in doing so became a two-time Super Bowl champion, one more than his older brother Peyton.

It was the Giants that started fast. An intentional grounding call in the end zone put them up 2-0 and a Victor Cruz touchdown pass made it 9-0 before the first quarter was over.

The Patriots were able to find their footing in the second quarter and took a lead into the halftime locker room thanks to a short field goal and a touchdown run by Danny Woodhead. It looked like the Patriot may have seized control in the third quarter when Tom Brady found Aaron Hernandez for a 12 yard touchdown pass to give the Pats a 17-9 lead. However, it would be the last time the Patriots scored on the evening.

Lawrence Tynes’ two field goals pulled the Giants to within two at 17-15 and set up the fourth quarter theatrics. The Giants took over at their own 12-yard line with 3:46 left but wasted no time in getting out of the shadow of their own end zone with a 38 yard pass from Eli Manning to Mario Manningham. Eight plays later, Ahmad Bradshaw spilled into the end zone to give the Giants the lead.

Tom Brady’s hail Mary fell to the ground before Rob Gronkowski could grasp it to seal the victory for the Giants. Eli Manning was named the game’s MVP for his 30 of 40 performance for 296 yards and one touchdown.

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