Sunday, February 3, 2008

Patriots Lead Giants 7-3 At Halftime

Through the first half of Super Bowl 42, the Patriots have gained a slim lead over the NFC Champions.

Laurence Maroney's one-yard touchdown gave the undefeated patriots a four-point advantage at thr 14:57 mark of the second quarter after a Lawrence Tyne's 32-yard field goal propeled them to an early lead.

The Giants relentless pressure on Tom Brady enabled them to contain the NFL MVP to under 100 yards pasing and one completion to wide receiver Randy Moss. In addition, Brady was sacked three times, including twice on one series. The Patriots inability to find consistency and rhythm on both sides of the football have been the two central factors that have challenged them all game long.

Although Eli Manning turned the ball over for the first time this postseason (four games), he has performed exceedingly well through the first thirty minutes of this epic contest. The younger Manning directed the Giants on a 16 play, 9:59 drive that spanned 63 yards to start the game- most play attempts on an opening drive in Super Bowl history.

The expected offensive onslaught was not visible in the first half as the Giants were contained to 139 yards and the Patriots 81. Moreover, New York controlled the time of possession at 19:27.

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