The Super Quasi Live Blog, Third Quarter: Giants-Patriots

The Pats had 81 yards in the first half on offense -- or, to say, one of their usual drives. But the Pats have been fantastic on second half coaching adjustments, whether they've done it legitimately or not. If the Pats can take the kickoff and do damage immediately, the first 30 minutes will be forgotten by everyone who didn't take the over.

Pats will get the ball to start the second half, and Maroney gets it to the 21. You know, for a team that's down by 4, the Giants sure seem happy with themselves. Brady from the gun gets time and finds Welker for 15. Maroney on a counter for 7, running well. Strahan knocks down a screen to Faulk on second down, showing veteran awareness. On third, it's Faulk again, as Brady just gets rid of it. If teams had hit Brady like this all year, there is no way the Pats would be 18-0.

Maroney loses two, as Umenyiora is making his presence felt. Patriot OL Steve Neal won't return; telling. 2nd and 12 is from the gun, and it's Welker again, this time for 7 and some pain. 3rd and 5 is another big play... and Brady adjust to Faulk, who can't make Pierce miss. On fourth and 3, the Patriots are punting, and that's telling, too... as the Pats almost always went for it in this down and distance earlier in the year. Blue will start inside their 15.

But what's this? Belichick challenges the idea that there are 12 men on the field, thanks to his good friend Troy Aikman calling it out during the break. It looks like.. it is...

IT'S A CONSPIRACY!

Patriots get the flag, keep the ball, and I have to think that if there wasn't a big commercial break, there's no way that happens. Dirty Davey chimes in with "It's always nice to see major turning points that display a high level of football skill." Crowd seemed into it, so maybe it's not a Giants crowd after all.

Maroney for 4 on a screen. Light jumps, and it's 2nd and 11. Screen to Welker gets a loss, and Blue is a play away from a huge stop. 3rd and 13... and Kevin Faulk, as he has done all post-season, makes a huge play, making a man miss for 14 yards and the first -- and gets carried the last few yards by the guy who missed him in the first place. Immense. Maroney for little, Brady for little. Pats look like the first half Giants here -- a lot of time, very little yards. 3rd and 7 with half of the quarter gone is shotgun to ground, as Strahan gets the sack from rushing 4. Wow, the Giants DL has just been huge. A loss of six sets up fourth and 13, and the Pats go for it, rather than try a 50 yard figgie... and after a couple of pump fakes, Brady throws it out of the end zone. Faulk may have also blown a hammy.

We Officially Have A Ball Game, Folks.

To not trust your kicker from 50 is the kind of move that a bad coach makes. It's the same move that the Chargers did against the Patriots a year ago, when Schottenheimer then had to have Kaeding try from 55 at the gun. It's remarkable, really. Here I am, remarking on it.

Jacobs for 4. Patience is all Blue. Toomer, in severe traffic with good accuracy, almost goes long, but makes the first. Blue at their 45. Bradshaw for 2. Blue runs huge clock, and Toomer gets a ball that could have easily been picked; Eli looks fixated on him right now. It's a measurement, and a first. First down on the Pats 45.

Play action, Manning tries Burress in triple coverage, who can't bring it down. Toomer was wide open 20 yards downfield. Hmm. Crowd gets on Burress, of course. Bradshaw carries Harrison for four. On 3rd and 6, Burress can't make the play -- again -- and it's Feagles time. Plex is making Freddie Mitchell look good right about now. The Pats will start at their 10, after a lame spot by the ref.

With three minutes left in the quarter, the Pats start with a false start call on Watson. First and 15 gets us in Safety Territory, and Brady from the gun almost takes it from a middle blitz before getting it away. Wow. Surprising the refs didn't call a head panelty on the rusher. Welker tears down a 16 yard completion for the first, just a huge play. Maroney follows it with a nine yard run, and gets the first down to the left. The over is a stone-cold lock now. Welker pulls away for 19, and maybe he's the MVP, beating Aaron Ross like a mule. That puts the Pats into Blue territory, and Brady follows it up by throwing to a wide open Welker... provided Welker was 30 feet tall. Just another very bad ball from the QB. Brady is pissed, Aikman feels he is annoyed by a bad route... but what route calls for the ball to be thrown 20 yards out of bounds? Pats take another false start penalty, and then Brady misses Moss downfield. Once again, the QB does not look good. This time, Brady's body language looks like hell. 3rd and 15 is the last plaey of the quarter, and it's short of the first down to Stallworth. Patriots 7, Giants 3, in a game that would be deadly dull if not for what's on the line.