3rd down and 5...
1:15 to go...
Fourth quarter...
Thousands of people's voices rise as one, drowning out the one voice that matters, that of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning as he barks out protection signals to his five personal protectors for what could be the most pivotal play of his young career.
The play is still clear in my mind. Even after four years, it has left its indelible mark on my consciousness. It marked the sum total of the wavering effort of eleven men. It was a heave, a prayer, a Hail Mary. It was a split second from being called an "in the grass" sack by referee Mike Carey.
But the play was allowed to unfold in front of the 60,000 plus crowd, united in their anticipation of what would happen next.
Houdini had provided the assist to Manning, who duly obliged, tossing an ill-advised pass into the middle of the field in the general direction of wide receiver David Tyree.
The catch was made and it would forever be known as, in rather unoriginal fashion but poignantly, "The Helmet Catch". It was a moment of utter incredulity when you think about it. Tyree was barely a factor in the Giants passing attack and no longer plays for the team, yet his effort provided the spark the team needed to win it all after Michael Strahan's famous "One touchdown and we are world champions" speech on the sidelines.
In one play, it summed up what the National Football League is all about: intrigue, anticipation, excitement, joy, pain, endurance and a will to win.
Four years on, the New England Patriots and New York Giants will reprise their rivalry on the biggest stage of them all in the house that Peyton built. The Giants have risen from the ashes after an average start to the season, while the Patriots come into the game with the number one seed label but also with questions about their Thor-esque tight end Rob Gronkowski.
It marks the first Super Bowl that former Super Bowl MVP's at quarterback will face off against each other. The unflappable Eli Manning, who has been so consistent this season, is the kind of player who inspires confidence. You know he will give you his all. Tom Brady is no different - a fierce competitor for whom losing is a form of poison, he will be eager to cement his already-decorated legacy and add a fourth Lombardi to his trophy case.
No matter the outcome, the Giants and Patriots are two deserving teams of this mantle and I have no doubt that they will represent the NFL in the right way with their play on the field on Sunday night.
I wonder as well whether there will be a play of the magnitude of Santonio Holmes' last minute touchdown catch, or a "Helmet Catch" moment. They say football games are decided by a handful of plays, and in a game that is as tight as this one on paper, I think it will turn out that way.
