The Double Miracle

The Double Miracle refers to a pass play during Super Bowl XLII between the New York Giants and the New England Patriotson February 3, 2008. The play was given the name The Double Miracle by NFL Films during the final season of Inside the NFL on HBO.
This was a 3rd and 5 play late in the fourth quarter with the Giants losing 14 - 10. The play began with Eli Manning, Giants QB, escaping the grasp of three different Patriots defensive linemen. The first was Adalius Thomas, playing Right End for the Patriots on the play. At the snap, he rushed up field and was able to get his right hand on the back of Eli Manning's jersey. Manning was able to step forward with the help of David Diehl, Giants LT, continuing to push Thomas out of the play. After stepping forward to escape this first sack attempt, Eli stepped forward into a pincer of Richard Seymour, Patriots DT, and Jarvis Green, Patriots DE. Both players were able to grab hold of Eli's jersey as the pocket had collapsed around him. Somehow, Manning managed to break free and circle around to a temporarily empty space at the right side of the former pocket. Upon escape, Eli threw a pass for 32 yards over the middle which in his opinion floated in the air too long.
The play ended with David Tyree, Giants WR, leaping to make a catch at the apex of his jump with former Pro Bowler Rodney Harrison, Patriots safety, leaping in unison to defend the play. Initially, Tyree was able to get both hands on the football but while still in mid-air, Harrison was able to swat Tyree's left hand off of the football. While on his way down, Tyree, with Harrison still interlocked and doing all he can to knock the ball loose, actually managed to maintain control of the football by using his helmet almost as a third hand. After the split second the ball was on his helmet, Tyree was able to once again gain two-hand control of the football before being bent backwards towards the ground by Harrison. The football came only inches from hitting the ground as Tyree was stretched backwards over top of Harrison. Many sports writers and commentators call this one of, if not THE, most amazing play in Super Bowl history.

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