With the New England Patriots making a late-season appearance on Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals, the Manningcast saw fit to bring in an appropriate Boston-oriented guest: Media personality Bill Simmons.
As Peyton and Eli Manning began to discuss their respective past playoff success with Simmons’ Patriots, the conversation came to how the New York Giants were able to defeat New England in Super Bowl 42. Perhaps the most famous play from that fateful game was David Tyree’s unbelievable “Helmet Catch” on a big third down on the Giants’ final drive.
When Simmons questioned the credibility of the play, noting some apparent holds on Patriots’ defenders as Eli Manning escaped the pocket, the former Giants QB had a perfect response shooting down such criticism:
Eli Manning is not going to sit idly by with Bill Simmons complaining about Super Bowl officiating. pic.twitter.com/EAnYHBVqfz
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 13, 2022
Bill Simmons trying to jab Eli Manning asking him what his favorite hold was on the Helmet Catch in Super Bowl XLII.
Eli: "Tyree holding the ball on his helmet was my favorite hold."
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) December 13, 2022
Man, Eli didn’t even flinch in responding to Simmons. In fairness, there is no real comeback from a receiver holding the ball to their helmet on a “gotta have it” play in the biggest possible game.
At least Simmons can take solace in the Patriots … and their record floating around .500 … as they struggle to get a playoff spot in a stacked AFC. Okay, well, at least he got to talk to the Mannings on national television!