by Russell Dwyer

Created on: December 30, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

In the most televised game in NFL history, many records stood to broken. It was the first time a 16-0 season was on the line. Simulcast on three networks, NFL, CBS and NBC, the battle between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots was the most watched live football game ever played.

The first half was eventful. With four lead changes, fans got their money's worth. The media hype never predicted the cohesive, calm and confident Giants team that came to play in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Giants jumped out to a 7-0 lead on their opening drive with a seven yard reception by Brandon Jacobs. In their first denial, the Giants' defense held the Patriots to a only field goal on their first drive.

Undaunted by the 7-3 score, the Patriots looked like the team on the "path to perfection" as they held the Giants to a three and out. In their next march down the field, Tom Brady and Randy Moss connected on a four yard TD pass to tie the NFL records for touchdowns thrown and received by players in a regular season. A third record fell with that play, the 1998 Vikings record of 556 points in regular season.

Moss took the celebrating a bit far by spiking the ball and dancing in the end zone. This would cost the Patriots a fifteen yard penalty on the kick off to the Giants. Bill Belichick wanted to argue, so the referee went to the sideline and imitated the dance for him.

Brady and the offense joyfully returned to the bench to continue celebrating and rest. It would be short-lived; 11 seconds to be exact. Domenik Hixon fielded the kick off and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown. After the Giants tacked on the extra point the score was 14-10, Giants.

Over the next two Patriots' drives, the Giants increased their red zone defense percentage by forcing Stephen Gostkowski to kick field goals from the 45 and then the 37 yard lines. Fans were on their feet with this change of lead to 16-14, Patriots.

Once in the red zone, Eli Manning was forced to run the ball. He kept his eye on the first down marker, diving head first for the three yard line.

The Giants played Kevin Boss in place of the injured Jeremy Shockey. Eli Manning put together a 80-yard drive that culminated in a three yard TD reception to Boss. With 13 seconds left in the first half, Giants sent the Patriots to the locker room for only the second time this season without the lead, 21-16, Giants.

With ball possession of 20 minutes, to the Giants' 10, the Patriots showed that they were not invincible.

The second half

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