New York Wins Close Super Bowl Over New England

 　　The New York Giants are this season’s champions of American football, beating the New England Patriots¹ in the NFL’s Super Bowl 46, 21-17, played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

　　These same two teams met in the Super Bowl four years ago when the New York Giants scored a surprising 17-14 upset, preventing the New England Patriots from completing a rare undefeated season.

　　Giants quarterback Eli Manning had led his team to a touchdown in the closing minute, and that is just what he did again against the Patriots here at Lucas Oil Stadium before a capacity² crowd of nearly 70,000.

　　And also like in 2008, Manning connected on a long pass to a receiver who made an outstanding catch during the winning scoring drive.  The Giants later got a short touchdown run from Ahmad Bradshaw with 57 seconds left to give them the 21-17 comeback victory over New England.

　　In all, Manning completed 30 of his 40 passes for 296 yards and one touchdown and was named the Super Bowl’s Most Valuable Player.

　　He was also the MVP four years ago, but he did not wish to address his individual award, which also comes with a new sports car.

　　Manning said, “You know, I’m just excited to win a championship; excited for my teammates.  We have a number of guys, this is there first one, obviously³ some other ones who are getting their second and more.  I’m excited for them.  I’m excited for coach (Tom) Coughlin, all the coaches, the Giants organization.  This isn’t about one person.  It’s about one team coming together and getting this win.”

　　Toward⁴ the end of the regular season the Giants were struggling at seven wins-seven losses, but won their final two games to barely⁵ make the playoffs.  Then they kept winning under head coach Tom Coughlin, who said this Super Bowl victory is special.

　　“You know each one is very unique and this is just as exciting, probably more so because of the kind of year we had,” said Coughlin.

　　Giants fans Mike Tarloff and wife Lisa made the trip from New York to Indianapolis the day before the game hoping they would find resale tickets they could afford.  They found two online for $1,700 apiece and said it was worth it.

　　He said, “It’s unbelievably outstanding.  You know the team has been magical all season. You know I said to my wife there is 3:50 to go or thereabouts, and you know we need a Super Bowl winning drive and the team’s coming through.  Eli has led them many times.  And, the team came through and it was awesome⁶.”

　　His wife Lisa told VOA how much witnessing her Giants win the Super Bowl meant to her.  “Absolutely amazing.  I tell my husband seeing the Hollywood sign in California was the thrill of my life, but now next to marrying him, this is the next best moment.”

　　For losing quarterback Tom Brady, who has won three Super Bowls in his career and had guided New England to an impressive⁷ 13-3 regular season, it was a huge disappointment.

　　Brady said, “You know we just came up a little bit short and I think there were some missed opportunities out there.  Everybody feels we could have done more.  I’ll keep coming to this game and keep trying.  I’d rather come to lose than not get here, so hopefully we’ll be back at some point.  We had a great year.  We just didn’t make enough plays today.”

　　So, the New York Giants are back on top of the American football world, claiming Super Bowl 46, 21-17.

1 patriots   

爱国者，爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Abraham Lincoln was a fine type of the American patriots. 亚伯拉罕·林肯是美国爱国者的优秀典型。
• These patriots would fight to death before they surrendered. 这些爱国者宁愿战斗到死，也不愿投降。

2 capacity   

n.能力，力量，接受力；容量，能量，容积

参考例句：

• She is employed by the president in an advisory capacity.她被总裁聘为顾问。
• This carriage has a seating capacity of 120 people.这节车厢定员120人。

3 obviously   

adv.显然；明白地

参考例句：

• Obviously they were putting him to a severe test.显然他们是在给他以严峻的考验。
• Obviously he was lying.显然他是在撒谎。

4 toward   

prep.对于，关于，接近，将近，向，朝

参考例句：

• Suddenly I saw a tall figure approaching toward the policeman.突然间我看到一个高大的身影朝警察靠近。
• Upon seeing her,I smiled and ran toward her. 看到她我笑了，并跑了过去。

5 barely   

adv.仅仅，几乎没有，几乎不

参考例句：

• The male bird is barely distinguishable from the female.雄鸟和雌鸟几乎无法辨别。
• He took barely enough money to keep the children in bread.他赚很少的钱仅够孩子们勉强糊口。

6 awesome   

adj.令人惊叹的，难得吓人的，很好的

参考例句：

• The church in Ireland has always exercised an awesome power.爱尔兰的教堂一直掌握着令人敬畏的权力。
• That new white convertible is totally awesome.那辆新的白色折篷汽车简直棒极了.

7 impressive   

adj.给人深刻印象的，感人的

参考例句：

• This cinema is so impressive that we can't help crying.这影片如此感人以至我们禁不住流下泪来。
• The suit made him look especially impressive.他穿上这套衣服真精神。