USA TODAY International Edition
End of third: Patriots 17, Giants 15
Pivotal play: With the Patriots facing third- and- inches at the Giants 22, Benjarvus Green- Ellis ran left for 2 yards, picking up a key first down that led to Tom Brady’s touchdown pass to Aaron Hernandez on New England’s first possession of the second half.
Critical stat:
Eli Manning, 20for- 26 passing through three quarters; Brady, 21- for- 26.
Howit played out:
The Patriots got the ball to start the second half and wasted no time extending their lead with an eight- play, 79- yard drive.
Brady found Chad Ochocinco for 21 yards on the first play. Green- Ellis, limited to 7 yards on three carries in the first half, gained 17 yards and then picked up a first down on third- andinches at the Giants 22.
Two plays later, Brady found Hernandez over the middle for a 12- yard TD pass, Brady’s Super Bowl- record 16th consecutive completion.
Playing a larger role with Gronkowski limited, Hernandez gave the Patriots a 17- 9 lead with his sixth catch.
New York came right back, driving to the New England 25 as Manning connected twice with Hakeem Nicks. But Patrick Chung applied a big hit to break up another pass to Nicks, and the Giants settled for a 38- yard field goal from Lawrence Tynes to make it 17- 12 with 6: 43 left.
New York’s defense picked it up on the next possession, sacking Brady for the first time and getting excellent field position at the New England 48 after the ensuing punt.
The Giants drove to the 12 after an 11- yard catch by tight end Bear Pascoe gave New York a first down.
The Patriots’ red- zone defense stiffened. After Rob Ninkovich sacked Manning, the Giants again settled for a field goal to cut the deficit to 17- 15.