INDIANAPOLIS — The Giants once again were knocking on the door in the third quarter, this time with a touchdown giving them a Super Bowl lead over the Patriots. But New England’s defense once again came up with a key play to keep New York out of the end zone.

On third-and-8 from the Patriots’ 9-yard line, Eli Manning was sacked for a 6-yard loss by Rob Ninkovich and Mark Anderson, forcing the Giants to settle for a second consecutive field goal in the quarter.

The Giants only trail by two points entering the fourth quarter, but knowing they left two touchdowns on the board definitely hurts.

The Giants never would have been in position, however, if not for a heads-up play by FB Henry Hynoski, who pounced on a Hakeem Nicks fumble at the Patriots’ 34. Hynoski’s stats will be just a minor part of the Super Bowl XLVI box score, but he might have made one of the game’s most important plays.

– David Ely

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