Giants prevail over Patriots with depth and playmakers

INDIANAPOLIS | The Bears have Jay Cutler and Matt Forte to scare defenses. Sorry, that's it.

The Super Bowl champion New York Giants showed the world Sunday night they have enough offensive threats to rent out in their 21-17 win against the Patriots.

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw scored the game-winning touchdown on a 6-yard run in the closing seconds, finishing with 72 yards on 17 carries, but gladly shared the praise as did backfield mate Brandon Jacobs, who added 37 yards on nine rushes.

"I am in awe right now. We are a great football team and we were a great football team since Day 1," Jacobs said. "We persevered through all the stress and adversities that we had and finished strong.

"I have two Super Bowl rings, got a great family, a great football family and I'm part of a great organization. What more could I ask for?"

Added Bradshaw: "You know what? It's two of the greatest teams in the NFL and we won it.

"The Giants do it the right way. We play hard, come at you strong, and never quit. Knock us down and we're back up and in your face."

MVP Eli Manning threw for 296 yards and a touchdown, Hakeem Nicks caught 10 passes for 109 yards, Mario Manningham added five for 73 and was key on the game-winning drive.

Manning completed his first nine passes of the game, an NFL record.

"I don't need to say anything about Eli," Jacobs said. "I shouldn't have to say anything about Eli. Two-hundred and twenty-eight countries just saw Eli.

"I don't have to say anything."

Patriots coach Bill Belichick didn't have much to say in defeat, but did add: "Fans saw two of the game's elite quarterbacks tonight. Ours was pretty good, too, but we just left too many plays out there."