Studs and Duds: Super BowlLog In  
Studs and Duds: Super Bowl

Feb 4 2008 10:51AM
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
RealTime Fantasy Sports

Wow, what a game! The catch by David Tyree late in the fourth quarter summed up the game. Tyree got little action at receiver much of the season, but much like his team, came up with a big, unexpected play at a crucial time. The Giants did that all game, making plays when most didn't give them a chance.

New York's defensive line was the difference in the game, though, harassing Tom Brady all day, and holding Laurence Maroney to 36 yards rushing. Who would have thought the Patriots would score just 14 points? The Patriots had scored 20 or more points in every game this season. Their offense seemed unstoppable.

The Giants didn't do a whole lot offensively, but managed 14 fourth quarter points to pull out the victory. Eli Manning engineered two great drives in the quarter. The first drive was 80 yards and the game-winning drive was 83 yards. New York's offense made the plays when needed. It was just enough to win the game.

Giants 17, Patriots 14

Fantasy Stud: Giants defense. The Giants defense had a dominating performance against arguably the best offense in NFL history. New York held the Patriots to just 87 yards in the first half. New England usually gets 87 yards in half a quarter. But the Giants defensive line pressured Tom Brady all day and the secondary kept the Patriots from breaking the big play. The Giants held the Patriots to just 14 points (lowest total of the season) and 274 total yards. They also sacked Brady five times, which is amazing if you consider Brady was sacked 21 times all regular season. The Giants defensive line dominated the game, leading the Giants to victory.

Fantasy Dud: Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs didn't score a touchdown for the first time this postseason. He was held to 42 yards on 14 carries, averaging just three yards per carry. Ahmad Bradshaw actually led the Giants in rushing (45) with five fewer carries than Jacobs. The Giants should follow a similar formula next season with these backs, splitting work at the running back. But Jacobs will get the goal-line work, giving him good fantasy value.

Game Notes: Tom Brady didn't look himself. He was off on several throws he normally makes. His ankle seemed to be bothering him. But you have to give the Giants defense credit, pressuring Brady and giving him little time to throw. Brady's numbers were still pretty good in the end, though, going 29-of-48 for 266 yards and a touchdown.

Eli Manning was the MVP of the game, giving the Manning family back-to-back Super Bowl MVPs. Manning led the Giants on the game-winning drive, throwing a strike to Plaxico Burress in the corner of the end zone with less than a minute in the game. Manning finished the game 19-of-34 for 255 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. His strong play in the playoffs will elevate his fantasy value for next season.

Amani Toomer proved he still has something left in the tank. He looked slowed by his knee surgery much of the season, but turned the corner in the playoffs. Toomer had six receptions for 84 yards in the Super Bowl. And for the playoffs, Toomer had 21 catches for 280 yards and three touchdowns.

If you have any questions or comments, please email Jeff Paur at jeff@rtsports.com


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