Super Bowl XLVI - Patriots vs Giants Second Quarter Highlights
Some highlights from the second quarter:
The Patriots continued their drive and made their way down to the Giants 11, but facing a 3rd down play Brady's pass to Aaron Hernandez was batted down on a 3rd and four and New England would be forced to settle for a field goal, cutting New York's lead to 9-3.
The Giants got things going again on their next drive, but a costly illegal substitution penalty helped set up a third and long and the Patriots defense was able to hold and force them to punt.
New England couldn't take advantage, with Brady seeing his first pass attempt to Aaron Hernandez get batted down, and they would end up going three and out.
The Giants started driving again, but another costly penalty negated a first down and helped set up another third and long. Sterling Moore made a great play against Mario Manningham and it forced the Giants to punt.
The Patriots had another tough start, with the Giants punting the ball out of bounds at New England's four yard line. They immediately shot themselves in the foot on their first play from scrimmage, with Logan Mankins getting called for a false start.
However, they would get things going. Brady found Wes Welker for 7 yards, followed by a pickup of 6 on 2nd and 5 to Danny Woodhead. Fans then saw Rob Gronkowski make his first reception of the day after a 20 yard gain to get the Patriots out to their own 35 yard line.
A few plays later Brian Waters was called for holding, setting up a 2nd and 12. But Brady found Aaron Hernandez for 8 yards, followed by another 12 yard pickup that allowed them to convert and keep the drive going.
A 10-yard completion to Wes Welker would be the final play before the 2-minute warning, with the Patriots sitting at the Giants 22 yard line. Brady then hit Woodhead for an 11-yard pickup, and then followed it up with an 8-yard reception to get them down to the Giants 3.
They went to Woodhead again, but Jason Pierre-Paul got into the backfield and took him down for a 1-yard loss. But one play later Brady hit Woodhead from 4-yards out, and the Patriots took a 10-9 lead with :08 to go in the half.
That drive was 14-plays 96-yards, tying for the longest drive in Super Bowl History.
Halftime Passing Stats by Down:
Tom Brady passing stats by down:
1st Down: 7-of-9 75yds
2nd Down: 4-of-4 35yds
3rd Down: 4-of-5 37yds 1 TD
Halftime Patriots Receiving Leaders:
Wes Welker: 4 Targets/4 Receptions 42 yards
Aaron Hernandez: 7 Targets/5 Receptions 40 yards
Danny Woodhead: 3 Targets/3 Receptions 23 yards 1 TD
Rob Gronkowski: 1 Target/1 Reception 20 yards
Deion Branch: 1 Target/1 Reception 15 yards
BenJarvus Green-Ellis: 1 Target/1 Reception 7 yards
