3 most shocking Super Bowl moments in NY Giants history

With Super Bowl LIX just a few more sleeps away, we reminisce about the most extraordinary moments on Championship Sunday. These moments are some of the best to happen in the big game and all sports, and they stick with us forever.

For example, James Harrison's "immaculate interception" helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII over the Cardinals, Malcolm Butler's iconic goal-line interception to beat the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, or the Patriots' 28-3 comeback to defeat the Falcons in Super Bowl LI.

The history of the Super Bowl and the NFL would be different without these iconic moments. If there is one franchise that knows a thing or two about making history in the Super Bowl, it's the New York Giants.

While the four-time Super Bowl champions won't be competing for a fifth title this Sunday, fans will never forget some of the Giants' greatest moments around this time of year.

Let's take a look at the three most shocking Super Bowl moments in Giants history:

The Helmet Catch, Super Bowl XLII

If you ask Giants fans what their favorite Super Bowl moment is, I bet many would say David Tyree's "Helmet Catch" in Super Bowl XLII. The catch set up the Plaxico Burress game-winning touchdown to upset the Patriots and disrupt New England's dynasty. Monday marked the 17th anniversary of the catch.

The Giants were down 14-10 with 1:20 remaining in regulation on third and five from their own 44-yard line; Eli Manning immediately faced pressure from the Patriots line after snapping the ball. Jarvis Green and Richard Seymour grabbed Manning's jersey and attempted to sack him; however, Eli managed to stay on his feet and duck under several New England defenders. He scrambled out of the pocket to space at the 34-yard line, heaving up a pass before getting hit by Mike Vrabel. David Tyree would go up for it, pin the ball to the side of his helmet, and make the catch in coverage at the New England 24-yard line.

The catch is considered one of the greatest in NFL history, especially in the Super Bowl. Tyree's catch was impressive and will continue to be talked about for years to come, but Manning's throw to escape the pressure and get the ball up was even more tremendous.

Not only was the play the turning point of the game, setting up a game-winning touchdown on that drive and the Giants' third Super Bowl victory, but it also ended the Patriots' undefeated season. 18 wins and one Giant loss!

Wide Right, Super Bowl XXV

The Buffalo Bills have choked numerous times in big moments. Still, no other was like Scott Norwood's missed 47-yard field goal attempt wide right, which secured Big Blue's second Super Bowl ring in franchise history. Giants fans still talk about and celebrate it today.

Thurman Thomas' 11-yard run for a first down set up a game-winning field goal for the Bills. Jim Kelly spiked the ball to stop the clock with eight seconds remaining in regulation, with Buffalo trailing the Giants 20-19.

The Bills opted to kick a field goal from 47 yards out, which was considered to be within Norwood's range. The field goal would've given New York essentially no time to draw up a play and score and would've given Buffalo its first championship in team history.

Norwood lined up from the right hash mark of the 37-yard line. When the kick was snapped and up, it had sufficient distance but passed about a foot to the right of the right-hand goalpost. ABC play-by-play announcer Al Michaels was stunned, gifting New York fans his iconic television call: "No good...wide right."

Mario Manningham's 38-yard reception, Super Bowl XLVI

The New York Giants were in a similar spot just a few years before, which was down to the Patriots in the Super Bowl with little time left on the clock. Manning needed another clutch drive in the Super Bowl to knock off Tom Brady again on the grandest stage.

Down 17-15 to the Patriots and on their own 12-yard line with 3:46 remaining in regulation of Super Bowl XLVI, Eli dropped back and fired a 38-yard pass to Mario Manningham along the left sideline, who had a half step on Sterling Moore. Patrick Chung was closing on Manningham, but Eli placed the ball perfectly to his receiver between both Patriots defenders to make the catch over his head.

Manningham was knocked out of bounds around the 50-yard line, and New England challenged the call that the Giants' receiver had possession of the ball in bounds. After further review, it was determined both of Manningham's feet were down, and he maintained possession of the ball. The play was the game's turning point, leading to a game-winning rushing touchdown from Ahmad Bradshaw with 1:04 remaining.

Wednesday marked the 13th anniversary of the play that helped Big Blue win their fourth and most recent Super Bowl and will forever be ingrained in the New York Giants' history.