The Catch That Spared History

I just recently read an article that sparked my memory of that ridiculous catch in this year's Superbowl, Superbowl XLII. That one play, lets not forget how miraculous Eli Manning's Houdini escape that set up the catch was either, changed the history of the game forever. The New England Patriots were set up to become the only team in history to go 19-0 in one football season and only the second team in league history to go through a perfect season. (The other team to go perfect was the Miami Dolphins back in 1972. However, they only went 16-0 because the regular season schedule back then was shorter). They had the most prolific scoring offense in the history of the NFL, scoring a record 590 points in the regular season. They had the unflappable Tom Brady who tossed a record 50 touchdowns and enigmatic yet talented Randy Moss who caught a record 23 touchdown passes. They had Wes Welker, who led the NFL in catches, and Lawrence Maroney who is known for his downhill running attack. Everything had been set up for these Patriots to go 19-0 and become part of history.
Before, "the catch" Tom Brady had just marched down the field to take a 17-14 lead with less than 5 minutes to go on a touchdown pass to who else but Randy Moss. With less than 2 minutes remaining and facing a third and five, Eli Manning hiked the ball and just slings it up to David Tyree. There were absolutely ridiculous aspects to this play. First, Manning was being hounded by the defensive line, who were literally on him and pulling him down. He somehow escapes and has the mind set to sling the ball downfield. David Tyree than goes up and literally pins the ball against his helmet, with NE safety, Rodney Harrison all over him. David Tyree basically catches the ball with his helmet and one hand.
And so with that one play: the Patriots lost history, the Giants won the Superbowl, and Eli Manning came out of Peyton's shadow.