Game 42: Bill Clinton vs. Super Bowl XLII

Perfection is an unforgiving master. The New England Patriots entered Super Bowl XLII with an 18-0 record, on the cusp of recording the only 19-0 season in NFL history. T-shirts proclaiming "19-0" were printed. All New England needed to do was defeat the underdog New York Giants, a team the Patriots had already beaten during the season. Bill Clinton, from as early as high school, groomed himself to become the perfect politician. He was brilliant and studied hard. He was handsome and skilled at winning people over. All the pieces were in place.  Here's what happened.

Clinton entered the White House in 1993 amid a down economy, but soon was presiding over a long stretch of relative peace and great prosperity. The explosion of the Internet and the stock market boom created millionaires everywhere, invigorated America's entrepreneurial spirit, and changed lifestyles. Jobs were up, crime was down, music was free. Life seemed easy. But Clinton had an Achilles heel. Even before he won the Presidency, news of extramarital affairs had begun to emerge, and it would only get worse, giving ammunition to his political opponents. In 1995 he had an improper relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, and his denials led the House of Representatives to impeach him in 1998 (he remained in office).  It was a disgrace that would forever taint his standing in history.  By the time Clinton's vice president Al Gore ran for President in 2000, Gore didn't even use Clinton's name to help him.

The Patriots didn't undo themselves. It took perhaps the greatest play in Super Bowl history to threaten the Patriots' perfection. The game had been a tough defensive battle for three quarters, and the final frame began with the Patriots up 7-3. The lead would change a hands a few more times.  Giants QB Eli Manning led an 80-yard drive, which included a 45-yard pass to rookie TE Kevin Boss and ended on a TD pass to WR David Tyree to put the Giants up 10-7 with 11:05 left. After some back and forth, Tom Brady and the Pats drove back with a clock-munching drive. Brady found Randy Moss in the end zone to regain the lead, 14-10.

The Giants had about two minutes to make history. On a key third-and-five from his own 44 with 1:15 left, Manning dropped back and soon found three Patriots reaching over Giants blockers to grab his jersey, clutching at his number 10 from behind. Somehow he twisted out of their grasp, ran back a few yards into a safe spot, and looked desperately for a receiver. He chucked the ball downfield toward Tyree, who raised both hands and brought the ball down on top of his helmet. Are you kidding me? Tyree pressed the ball tight against his head and held on for his life as Patriots safety Rodney Harrison leveled him.  The only thing more incredible than Manning's scramble was the ridiculous catch.  Four plays later Manning found WR Plaxico Burress in the corner of the end zone to give the Giants a breathtaking 17-14 win.

Yes, perfection is tough. That's why they call it perfection. Despite his flaws, Clinton had a good run. But he didn't have the helmet catch. This match goes to the Super Bowls, now up by two points in America Bowl with two matches left.  George Bush and Barack Obama are the Presidents' last hope -- can they do it? Take your protein pill and put your helmet on -- here comes the season finale.

Score after this match: Super Bowls 22, Presidents 20.

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