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Super Bowl XLII: The Best and Worst Moments
Tom Petty by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
What a game! Lots of highs — and a few lows (especially for the Patriots). This was one for the ages — and here are some of our best and worst moments of the night:
The Best Moments:
Dominant defense. The Giants' D rushed Tom Brady, they sacked Tom Brady (five times), they shut down Tom Brady — something no one else was able to do all season.
Playing big when it counted most. Eli Manning somehow escaped what looked like a sure sack with 1:08 left in the game, throwing a 32-yard pass to David Tyree, who made an acrobatic catch to keep the drive alive. Plaxico Burress then capped it off with a 13-yard touchdown grab in the corner of the end zone with 35 seconds left.
All hands on deck — including rookies. Ahmad Bradshaw, Kevin Boss and Steve Smith all made vital contributions in the later part of the season and in the biggest game of their short pro careers.
Good music to start things off. I'll admit I was skeptical at first — but reigning American Idol champ Jordin Sparks (daughter of former Giants cornerback Phillippi Sparks) actually sang the national anthem beautifully.
The Worst Moments:
18-1. Doesn't have quite the same historic ring to it as 19-0, does it?
Bad sportsmanship. At the end of the game, with one second left, Bill Belichick and his team just left the field, even though there was still one snap left to play.
American Idol overload in the pre-game. Ryan Seacrest was interviewing celebrities, Paula gave her premiere "performance" of a song on Randy Jackson's new album, there were endless promos for the show... enough already! (See Cheers & Jeers for more on that.)
A snooze-fest halftime show. When they kept showing the Tom Petty previews, I wondered why they had used grainy, dull, decades-old footage. Then when he came out to play, I realized it wasn't just the footage that stunk. — Nina Hämmerling Smith
More Super Bowl coverage:
• Watch and discuss Paula Abdul's pre-game performance.
• We list the Super Bowl telecast's highs and lows.
• Which Ads Scored, and Which Snored?
• News: New York Giants Upset Patriots to Win Super Bowl XLII
• Cheers & Jeers tackles Ryan Seacrest's pre-game show.
• Matt Roush reviews the game and the ads.
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Feb 3, 2008 6:30 PM
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Why is it in Spanish?
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Feb 3, 2008 8:34 PM
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The greatest moment? The NY Giants winning the Super Bowl! Eli Manning is a good guy and deserves this win. He and his team played hard and I wish them and all the best! Brady can just relax be satisfied with his "super" model instead of another Superbowl ring. When Brady got sacked on the first play, that really rocked him off his socks and threw him off his game.
The second greatest moment? The Bridgestone screaming squirrel commercial.
The third greatest moment? The Budweiser Rocky Clydesdale in training commercial.
The worst moment? Nah...weren't none! (Except maybe the follow your heart Doritos commercial.)
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Feb 3, 2008 10:38 PM
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I believe the follow your heart was for career builder. So glad the Giants won!
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Feb 3, 2008 10:58 PM
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Tom Petty was a JOKE !
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Feb 3, 2008 11:04 PM
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Sucks that the Giants won only in that we now have to continue to endure the 1972 Dolphins. Ugh. Best commercials were the screaming animals and the Richard Simmons commercials for Bridgestone, the parade balloons, and the dalmation training the clydesdale. There were a few other decent ones, but most were meh, and some were just bad intentionally (salesgenie,) and unintentionally (career builder.) I posted a few others that I liked on my blog here on tv guide, so I'll end this post by saying way to not go for the field goal on 4th and 13. Worst.SuperBowlDecision.Ever.
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Feb 3, 2008 11:17 PM
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To be fair, I'm not sure that the Patriots knew there was a second left. I think they thought the game was over. But, if that's the case, it doesn't excuse shirking the obligatory handshake after the game. At least I think the coaches did meet in the middle. Frankly, making them play that one second snap was a little insult to injury, but rules are rules, I suppose.
I loved it when the state policeman shoved the photographer away from Bill Belichick while they were trying to clear the field to finish the game. Stay out of the way because the game is still on, you goof!
You're right, the follow your heart commercial was Careerbuilders. Just goes to show how memorable it was, I guess. LOL
BTW, does nobody relevant WANT to do the Superbowl Halftime show? I thought Alicia Keys did a good job in the pregame show. It's all lip-synching anyway. I don't think anyone expects a live show in an 8 minute time span. It takes hours to set up for a regular concert and get the sound right. I'd rather watch a good old-fashioned marching band anyday than what they've offered in recent years.
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Feb 4, 2008 1:00 AM
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Keys was great in the pre-game and Jordin did a good job too but Petty is hardly the rock institution that he was introduced as. He's a fair songwriter and performer and I have enjoyed some of his music very much. But he's hardly an immortal.
Now, well into its second half century, rock and roll has proved that it really is here to stay. The Beatles, Stones, Motown, Dylan have or will folllow Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Elvis Presley into the history books. But it's doubtful that Petty will be even the subject of a footnote.
LoudWhisper, I'm a true rock and roll lover as musician and fan, but I think I agree with you. I think I might rather see traditional sports type music and entertainment at the game than transient pop stars.
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Feb 4, 2008 3:14 AM
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So, does anybody know why there was a Spanish voice over on Fox during the superbowl??
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Feb 4, 2008 4:17 AM
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maria 12977 Did you have your SAP audio on? I've done that by accident myself once or twice.
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Feb 4, 2008 4:40 AM
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I'm glad to see I was not the only one that thought it was poor sportsmanlike conduct when Bill Belichick left the field with one play left in the game. Shame on him!
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Feb 4, 2008 9:22 AM
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Eli Manning somehow escaped what looked like a sure sack with 1:08 left in the game,
I still cannot believe he actually got out of that without being sacked and then managed to throw the ball that was actually caught!
A-mazing! 
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Feb 4, 2008 10:59 AM
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I think this was THE most boring half time show that I have ever seen!
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Feb 4, 2008 11:09 AM
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The clock had ticked down to zero -- the one second was added back AFTER Belichick had gone on to the field to shake hands. The announcers even pointed this out. He left only in the midst of the chaos with refs telling him to leave the field (don't blame him).
The Patriots players themselves DID return to the field for the last snap, and were there for handshakes after, at least on my television...
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Feb 4, 2008 11:35 AM
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I can't believe the disses you people are giving Petty. You must be the Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus demographic.
With the possible exception of Prince, that was my favorite half-time show in recent memory. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were straight-up rock 'n' roll perfection!
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Feb 4, 2008 12:23 PM
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