Super Bowl XLII
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AR
Head Coach: Bill Belichick
589 Points Scored
274 Points Allowed
Starting Quarterback: Tom Brady
Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Jacksonville, 34-16: AFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated San Diego, 23-16: AFC Championship
Washington Redskins (9-7)
Head Coach: Joe Gibbs
334 Points Scored
310 Points Allowed
Starting Quarterback: Todd Collins
Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Seattle, 19-10: NFC Wild Card Playoffs
Defeated Dallas, 33-21: NFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Green Bay, 41-10: NFC Championship
The Game
The two biggest stories of the NFL season were set to meet up in possibly the biggest Super Bowl mismatch ever. The New England Patriots had finally made it to the top of the AFC mountain with Tom Brady, and despite the allegations of cheating by videotaping signals, the Patriots had gone 16-0, making them the second team to ever make the Super Bowl with a perfect record. Brady had thrown a record 50 touchdown passes, with Randy Moss catching an NFL record 23 of them. While the Patriots were easily the best team in the NFL during the 2007 season, the Washington Redskins may have been the most inspiring. After the tragic death of Sean Taylor, the Redskins rallied to make the playoffs, with a 36 year old backup quarterback leading the way, and then proceeded to win three straight road playoff games just to make it to the Super Bowl. Todd Collins had played well in his first three playoff starts, and Clinton Portis and Washington's defense had helped the Redskins make it to their fourth Super Bowl. With just 60 minutes standing between each team and their final victory, both knew that they would have to go all out for their side to win.
After being crushed by 45 points against the Patriots during the regular season, the Redskins knew that a fast start was going to be vital, and that's exactly what they got. The Washington defense forced New England to punt on their opening drive, and Todd Collins turned around and led the Redskins on an eight play scoring drive. Collins completed his first four passes, getting Washington to the New England 30 before Shaun Suisham kicked a 47 yard field goal for an early 3-0 lead. The Patriots would have to punt on their next drive as well, but the punt was downed at the Washington eight yard line, and the New England defense would take advantage of the poor field position of the Redskins. Just two plays into the possession, Jarvis Green brought Collins down in the end zone for a safety, putting New England on the board. After the Patriots returned the safety kick to the Washington 46 yard line, it took just two plays for New England to find the end zone for the first time. Tom Brady hit Laurence Maroney for a 41 yard gain, which was followed by a five yard touchdown run by Sammy Morris, giving the Patriots their first lead. The Redskins would counter by forcing Benjamin Watson to fumble on the next New England drive, and Todd Collins would hit Santana Moss for an 18 yard touchdown. The Patriots came right back with another two play drive, and this one ended with a 59 yard touchdown pass from Brady to Randy Moss. From there, both defenses finally began to settle down, with neither team able to do much in the second quarter except punt. With just two minutes to play in the first half, the Patriots went back to work, and Brady struck again on another quick drive, ending the four play, 50 yard drive with a nine yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker that ended the scoring in the first half of Super Bowl XLII.
With only 30 minutes between themselves and perfection, the Patriots wasted little time in getting even closer to their goal. After forcing the Redskins to punt on their opening drive, Tom Brady once again moved New England downfield before having to give way for Stephen Gostkowski, who kicked a 40 yard field goal that put the Patriots up 26-10. The Redskins would get a chance to score again late in the third quarter, when London Fletcher intercepted Tom Brady, but Todd Collins was sacked on second and third down, forcing Washington to punt. The Patriots would make the Redskins pay for their mistake, as the New England running game broke loose against the Washington defense. Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk each pounded the now tired Redskin front seven before Brady was able to find Randy Moss for a two yard touchdown that all but sealed the Super Bowl. The Patriots would embark on one last seven and a half minute scoring drive that completely finished off the Redskins and ended with a three yard touchdown run from Sammy Morris. Tom Brady was able to take three final knees at the end of the game, and the New England Patriots had made history with their first Super Bowl win. For just the second time in NFL history, a team had won the Super Bowl with a perfect record, and the 1972 Dolphins had company.
Final Score: New England-40 Washington-10
MVP: Randy Moss: 7 catches, 112 yards, 2 TDs
