INDIANAPOLIS — The Giants’ defense drew first blood, but it was their offense that deepened the wound late in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLVI.

Eli Manning‘s 2-yard touchdown strike to Victor Cruz capped off a nine-play, 78-yard scoring drive that dropped the Patriots into a 9-0 hole.

A troubling development for New England’s spotty defense is Manning’s outrageous start. He entered the team’s second drive 4-of-4 passing for 40 yards and finished it 9 of 9, with 77 yards and the TD.

The Giants ran into a scare when LB Brandon Spikes recovered a Cruz fumble at the Patriots’ 9, but New England was flagged for having 12 men on the field, giving Manning and Big Blue new life.

Out of the gate, everything has gone New York’s way.

– Marc Sessler

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