Missed Chances Cost Patriots In Super Bowl

Tom Brady’s two long incompletions in the final minutes, and several missed chances throughout the game cost the New England Patriots a chance at another Super Bowl victory.

It also resulted in their second loss to the Giants in the big game in four years, 21-17 on Sunday.

With just over four minutes left, Brady threw up the left side to a wide-open Wes Welker. But Brady’s most reliable receiver — and the NFL leader with 122 catches– couldn’t hang on.

Minutes later, the Giants then marched for the go-ahead touchdown with 57 seconds remaining.

Brady had one last chance. He threw a desperation pass half the length of the field into the end zone. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez went up in a mass of defenders, but the ball fell to the ground as time ran out.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)