2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Pre-primary polling, predictions, and events
On the other hand, a USA Today/Gallup poll indicated that Barack Obama enjoyed a 13-point lead over Hillary Clinton three weeks after they were tied in the pre-primary polls at New Hampshire. Even back in December 2007, Clinton was leading in the polls with 47%, and Obama had 26%. Clinton's aides responded to this by saying that she has the money to continue a national campaign. Former President Bill Clinton's campaign failed in the first five state primaries and caucuses when he ran in 1992. Despite these circumstances, Bill Clinton not only won the Democratic nomination, but he won the election.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Pre-primary polling, predictions, and events
The USA Today/Gallup poll was held on January 4, 2008. The conductors of this poll surveyed 778 New Hampshire residents who most-likely were going to attend the Democratic primaries. The survey was conducted after news from the Iowa caucuses had been reported. In the following table, the candidates' support on January 4 is compared with the results of the USA Today/Gallup poll from mid-December 2007 in New Hampshire.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Pre-primary polling, predictions, and events
No other candidate had higher than 3% support in New Hampshire. Each figure has a margin of error of ±4%. Obama's 13-point lead was outside that margin.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Pre-primary polling, predictions, and events
A US Census in 2006 reported that the population of New Hampshire was 1,314,895. 356,897 did not declare a party affiliation. These independent voters make up 44 percent of the New Hampshire electorate and could have voted in either the Democratic primary or the Republican Party's primary, but couldn't have voted in both. Democratic voters made up a smaller proportion. 216,005 people have registered as a Democrat. These statistics are important because in 2004, the New Hampshire independents leaned towards the Democratic side in favor of then-candidate John Kerry.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Pre-primary polling, predictions, and events
Since then, New Hampshire has become more Democratic, replacing their Republican governor and state legislature with a government led by Democratic politicians. However, the people of New Hampshire are divided into several smaller regions, so the entire state as a whole wouldn't have been expected to act in a uniform manner.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Pre-primary polling, predictions, and events, New Hampshire campaign office hostage-taking
On November 30, 2007, a man identified as 47-year old Leeland Eisenberg, armed with road flares strapped to his chest which he claimed were a bomb, entered a Clinton presidential campaign office in Rochester, New Hampshire. He took hostage the five people in it, and asked for Clinton, believing she could assist him in gaining psychiatric help. Two hostages were released early on, a woman and her infant. Other hostages were released sporadically. The standoff ended with Eisenberg's surrender about five hours after the incident began.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Pre-primary polling, predictions, and events, New Hampshire campaign office hostage-taking
At the time of the event, Clinton was in the Washington D.C. area, scheduled to speak at a Democratic National Committee meeting in Vienna, Virginia; she canceled her appearances at public events for the remainder of the day. That evening she flew to Rochester in order to meet with and comfort the hostages, praise the law enforcement officials who handled the situation, and vow not to change her campaign style due to the incident.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Results
Hillary Clinton led Barack Obama by 20 points in pre-primary polls in New Hampshire prior to the Iowa caucuses, but had fallen behind Obama by 13 points in the week prior to the New Hampshire primary. However, she rebounded to get more votes than Obama in the New Hampshire primary. She ultimately led the primaries by 3 percent. At her address to New Hampshire after the primary, her supporters called her the "comeback kid." According to exit polls, female voters and elderly voters helped her win this particular race.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Results
In the Iowa caucuses, Obama received 35 percent of the female vote, while Clinton only received 30 percent. In New Hampshire, however, 45 percent supported Clinton, compared to 36 percent for Obama. Also during the primary, older voters outnumbered younger voters; 67 percent of Democratic voters were over the age of 40, and most of them supported Clinton.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Results
A turnout of nearly 288,000 people was even higher than expected, and was greater than the number of New Hampshire residents who voted for Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Results
Bill Richardson withdrew from the race after placing 4th in both the New Hampshire primary with less than 5 percent of the vote and the Iowa caucuses with less than 2 percent of the vote. He made this decision as he returned to his home state, New Mexico, on January 9, 2008, to meet with his top advisors.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Recount
Most New Hampshire voters cast their votes on Diebold optical-scan systems, which are vulnerable to tampering, leading election-reform activists to immediately begin examining the results from New Hampshire, claiming later to find evidence suggesting fraud. The story initially was reported only online, but was later acknowledged by mainstream news outlets. Most observers have concluded that demographic trends influence both a community's means of counting ballots, and which candidates the community is likely to support.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Recount
On January 10, 2008, presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich requested and paid for a recount to make sure that all of the votes in the Democratic primary were counted - Republican candidate Albert Howard also requested a recount in the Republican primary. Kucinich noted the difference between pre-primary polls which showed that Obama would win, and Clinton's win in the actual election. In addition, Kucinich cited reports circulating throughout the internet that alleged disparities around the state between hand-counted ballots, which tended to favor Obama, and machine-counted ones, which seemed to favor Clinton.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Recount
He did not expect the recount to dramatically change his results in the election, but in an interview with Fox News, Kucinich said "he requested the recount out of concern for the integrity of the process and not out of loyalty to any one candidate." State officials, however, strongly believe the results of the primary were very accurate. New Hampshire has not conducted a statewide recount in a presidential primary since the 1980 primary.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Recount
The recount began on January 16, 2008 after New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner received $27,000 from Kucinich. The first ballots to be counted came from Manchester. The campaigns and fair elections groups had the right to see and approve every ballot. Kucinich was able to stop the recount at any time and receive a refund for the balance of the costs of the recount, since a recount in the entire state would require $70,000. In some of the towns and wards, the vote counts were identical.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Recount
Vote count changes were made in places where voters did not follow directions and marked ballots that were impossible for the machines to read. The largest example of vote miscounting was Ward 5 in Manchester, where votes for the top candidates dropped significantly after the recount. Clinton's total went from 683 to 619, Obama's went from 404 to 365, and other candidates saw similar drops. Excluding the results of Ward 5 the error rate was less than 1%.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Recount
The official explanation for the discrepancies in Ward 5, which resulted in gains of nearly 10% by each of the top candidates, was that a poll worker added the vice presidential and presidential totals before reporting. These differences did not occur in the GOP recount where the votes for all candidates were exactly the same except for Mitt Romney who received 1 extra vote.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Recount
Due to insufficient funding, the recount was halted on January 23, 2008. The Deputy Secretary of State, David Scanlan, estimated that the Republican recount cost $57,600 and the Democratic recount, with more votes cast, cost $67,600.


2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Recount
Quin Monson, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at BYU, commented: "There are people that do not trust the technology. His (Dennis Kucinich's) request for the recount is likely a response to that crowd."


2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary
The 2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary took place on January 8, 2008, with 12 national delegates being allocated proportionally to the popular vote. Arizona Senator John McCain won 7 of the delegates.


2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary
Independent voters made up 44 percent of the New Hampshire electorate and could choose to vote in either this primary or the Democratic Party's contest held on the same day, but voters could not vote in both.


2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Polling
In the days leading up to the primary, John McCain appeared to gain a slight lead over Mitt Romney. Average support from polls were McCain, 31.8%; Romney, 28.2%; Huckabee, 12.2%; Giuliani, 9.3%; Paul, 8.2%; Thompson, 2.2%.


2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Results
The official return was certified by the New Hampshire Secretary of State on 9 January. According to New Hampshire law, delegates are allocated proportionally with a minimum 10% threshold required to receive delegates. The balance of delegates that are not assigned are then allocated to the winner.


2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Results
* Candidate had already dropped out of the race prior to primary.


2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Recount
Most New Hampshire voters cast their votes on vulnerable Diebold optical-scan systems, leading election-reform activists to immediately begin examining the results from New Hampshire, claiming later to find evidence suggesting fraud.


2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Recount
Republican presidential nominee candidate Albert Howard joined forces with Ron Paul supporters bankrolling a full recount of the Republican primary. The Republican recount began on Wednesday January 16.


2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Recount
The story initially was reported only online, but was later acknowledged by mainstream news outlets. Most observers have concluded that demographic trends influence both a community's means of counting ballots, and which candidates the community is likely to support.


2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Recount
On January 10, 2008, presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich requested and paid for a recount to make sure that all of the votes in the Democratic primary were counted - Republican candidate Albert Howard also requested a recount in the Republican primary.


2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Recount
The recount began on January 16, 2008 after New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner received $27,000 from Kucinich. The first ballots to be counted came from Manchester. The campaigns and fair elections groups had the right to see and approve every ballot. In the GOP recount the votes for all candidates were exactly the same except for Mitt Romney who received 1 extra vote. With $55,600, Albert Howard is the first person in U.S. history to receive a statewide New Hampshire Primary Recount.


2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Recount
The Deputy Secretary of State, David Scanlan, estimated that the Republican recount cost $57,600 and the Democratic recount, with more votes cast, cost $67,600.


2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Recount
According to Howard's campaign Web site, some of his primary objectives include banning electronic voting. Quin Monson, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at BYU, commented: "There are people that do not trust the technology. [ The] request for the recount is likely a response to that crowd."


2008 New Hampshire Wildcats football team
The 2008 New Hampshire Wildcats football team represented the University of New Hampshire in the 2008 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Wildcats were led by 10th-year head coach Sean McDonnell and played their home games at Cowell Stadium in Durham, New Hampshire. They were a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. They finished the season 10–3, 6–2 in CAA play . They received an at-large bid into the FCS playoffs where they lost in the quarterfinals to Northern Iowa.


2008 New Hampshire gubernatorial election
The 2008 New Hampshire gubernatorial election, took place on November 4, 2008. Incumbent governor John Lynch won his third term with a landslide victory over Republican opponent Joseph Kenney.


2008 New Jersey Democratic presidential primary
The 2008 New Jersey Democratic presidential primary took place February 5, 2008, also known as Super Tuesday. Hillary Clinton won this primary.


2008 New Jersey Republican presidential primary
The 2008 New Jersey Republican presidential primary took place on February 5, 2008, with 52 national delegates.


2008 New Jersey Republican presidential primary, Results
* Candidate dropped out of the race before the primary


2008 New Mexico Bowl
The 2008 New Mexico Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game held on December 20, 2008 at  University Stadium on the campus of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque as part of the 2008-09 NCAA Bowl season. The game, telecast on ESPN, featured the Colorado State Rams from the Mountain West Conference and the Fresno State Bulldogs from the WAC. The two teams were rivals when Colorado State was in the WAC from 1968-98.


2008 New Mexico Bowl
Colorado State scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to defeat Fresno State, 40-35 behind running back Gartrell Johnson's 375 rushing and receiving yards, an NCAA bowl record.


2008 New Mexico Democratic presidential primary
The 2008 New Mexico Democratic presidential primary took place on February 5, 2008, with 26 national delegates at stake.


2008 New Mexico Democratic presidential primary
On February 12, 2008, counting was officially finished and Hillary Clinton was declared the winner.


2008 New Mexico Democratic presidential primary, Process
Although mass media called New Mexico's nominating contest as a caucus, the format was that of a party-run closed primary. Eligible voters included all registered Democrats as of January 4, 2008. Voting occurred between 12 noon and 7 PM Mountain Standard Time. Absentee ballots were available to any voter and were required to be returned by January 28. Delegates were then apportioned based on the results of the primary at the statewide and Congressional district levels, and were formally elected at district and state conventions in April based on the primary results.


2008 New Mexico Lobos football team
The 2008 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. New Mexico competed as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MW), and played their home games in the University Stadium. The Lobos were led by 11th-year head coach Rocky Long.


2008 New Mexico Lobos football team
The Lobos upset ten-point favorites Arizona, 36–28. Against ninth-ranked BYU, New Mexico had a fourth quarter touchdown overturned due to a controversial penalty call. On fourth down with 21 yards to go, the Lobos then failed to convert for a first down. BYU scored on their next possession to clinch the victory, 21–3. New Mexico also played a close game against 10th-ranked Utah, which finished the season undefeated and ranked second in the nation. The Lobos were stopped at the Utes' goal line on fourth down, and eventually lost by a three-point margin.


2008 New Mexico Lobos football team
New Mexico finished the season with a 4–8 record (MW: 2–6). It was the Lobos' first losing season in conference play since 2000. After the season, Rocky Long resigned as head coach. He was replaced by former Illinois offensive coordinator, Mike Locksley.


2008 New Mexico Republican presidential primary
The 2008 New Mexico Republican presidential primary took place on June 3, 2008. All 29 National delegates were awarded to John McCain.


2008 New Mexico State Aggies football team
The 2008 New Mexico State Aggies football team represented New Mexico State University as members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Aggies were led by fourth year head coach Hal Mumme who was fired after the end of the season and played their home games at Aggie Memorial Stadium. They finished the season 3–9 overall and 1–7 in WAC play to tied for eighth place.


2008 New Orleans Bowl
The 2008 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl was the eighth edition of the college football bowl game, played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles defeated the Troy Trojans, 30–27 in a dramatic overtime game. Troy had qualified for the game by winning the Sun Belt Conference title, while Southern Miss had roared back from a 2–6 start to fill the game’s slot from Conference USA.


2008 New Orleans Bowl
Kickoff time was 7:15 p.m. U.S. Central time and the game was shown live on ESPN.


2008 New Orleans Bowl, Game summary
Southern Miss was designated as the away team; however, instead of wearing the visitor white jerseys, the Golden Eagles started the game in yellow home jerseys (Troy wore its maroon home jerseys). Due to NCAA rules, Southern Miss was penalized one time out after the opening kickoff and played the first half with two timeouts to Troy’s three.


2008 New Orleans Bowl, Game summary
Southern Miss came from ten points down in the fourth quarter to force overtime and, after a Britt Barefoot 39-yard field goal on the Golden Eagles’ possession, Michael McGhee blocked Troy kicker Sam Glusman’s 28-yard field goal attempt that would have tied the game. The block sealed the win for Southern Miss, ensuring the school’s fifteenth consecutive winning season.


2008 New Orleans Saints season
The 2008 season was the New Orleans Saints' 42nd in the National Football League, their 33rd playing home games at the Louisiana Superdome and their third under head coach Sean Payton. The Saints improved on their 7–9 record from the 2007 season with an 8-8 record, however, they would miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season. This was the only season under Drew Brees that they finished last in the division.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Saints began their 2008 campaign at home against their NFC South foe, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the first quarter, New Orleans drew first blood as QB Drew Brees completed a 39-yard TD pass to WR David Patten. The Buccaneers replied with CB Phillip Buchanon returning an interception 26 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Tampa Bay took the lead with kicker Matt Bryant getting a 37-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Saints responded with kicker Martín Gramática getting a 34-yard field goal.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers answered with Bryant nailing a 33-yard field goal, but New Orleans regained the lead with Brees completing an 84-yard TD pass to WR Devery Henderson. In the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay jumped ahead again as QB Jeff Garcia completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Ike Hilliard. The Bayou faithful got the last laugh as Brees completed the game-winning 42-yard TD pass to RB Reggie Bush.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With the win, the Saints began their season at 1–0.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 2: at Washington Redskins
Coming off their divisional home win over the Buccaneers, the Saints flew to FedExField for a Week 2 duel with the Washington Redskins.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 2: at Washington Redskins
In the first quarter, New Orleans trailed early as Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham got a 22-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Washington increased its lead with Suisham's 36-yard field goal. Afterward, the Saints took the lead with RB Pierre Thomas getting a 1-yard TD run and kicker Martín Gramática nailing a 49-yard field goal.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 2: at Washington Redskins
In the third quarter, New Orleans increased its lead with QB Drew Brees completing a 19-yard TD pass to WR Robert Meachem. The Redskins started to fight back as RB Clinton Portis got a 9-yard TD run (with a failed 2-point conversion). New Orleans responded with RB Reggie Bush returning a punt 55 yards for a touchdown. However, Washington rallied with Portis' 8-yard TD run and QB Jason Campbell's 67-yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 3: at Denver Broncos
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Redskins, the Saints flew to Invesco Field at Mile High for a Week 3 interconference duel with the Denver Broncos. In the first quarter, New Orleans trailed early as Broncos QB Jay Cutler completed a 1-yard TD pass to TE Nate Jackson. The Saints answered with kicker Martín Gramática getting a 43-yard field goal. Denver replied with Cutler completing a 35-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Marshall. In the second quarter, New Orleans continued to struggle as Broncos LB Nate Webster returned a fumble 34 yards for a touchdown.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 3: at Denver Broncos
The Saints started to rally as RB Pierre Thomas got a 5-yard TD run, while RB Reggie Bush got a 23-yard TD run. Denver answered with kicker Matt Prater getting a 27-yard field goal. New Orleans closed out the half with DE Charles Grant tackling RB Andre Hall in his endzone for a safety.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 3: at Denver Broncos
In the third quarter, the Broncos replied with RB Michael Pittman getting a 2-yard TD run. The Saints answered with QB Drew Brees completing a 6-yard TD pass to Bush, but Denver responded with Prater nailing a 34-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, New Orleans tried to rally as Thomas got a 10-yard TD run (with a failed 2-point conversion). They even recovered a fumble and got into field goal position. However, Gramática's 43-yard attempt went wide right, ending any hope of a comeback.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 4: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Trying to snap a two-game losing streak, the Saints went home for a Week 4 duel with the San Francisco 49ers. In the first quarter, New Orleans trailed early as 49ers kicker Joe Nedney got a 47-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Saints responded with QB Drew Brees completing a 5-yard and a 33-yard TD pass to WR Lance Moore. San Francisco tried to catch up as Nedney kicked a 49-yard field goal, but New Orleans continued its dominance as Brees completed a 47-yard TD pass to WR Robert Meachem.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 4: vs. San Francisco 49ers
In the third quarter, the 49ers tried to rally as Nedney got a 38-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Saints continued its victory march as RB Deuce McAllister got a 1-yard TD run. San Francisco tried to come back as QB J.T. O'Sullivan completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce, but New Orleans sealed the win with kicker Martín Gramática nailing a 31-yard field goal.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 5: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Coming off their home win over the 49ers, the Saints stayed at home for a Week 5 Monday Night duel with the Minnesota Vikings. In the first quarter, New Orleans was first out of the gate as QB Drew Brees completed a 17-yard TD pass to WR Devery Henderson. The Vikings responded with CB Antoine Winfield returning a blocked field goal 59 yards for a touchdown. The Saints answered with kicker Martín Gramática getting a 35-yard field goal. Minnesota replied with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 53-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Vikings took the lead as RB Chester Taylor completed a 4-yard TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe, along with Longwell kicking a 33-yard field goal.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 5: vs. Minnesota Vikings
In the third quarter, New Orleans began to rally as RB Reggie Bush returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the Saints took the lead with Gramática making a 53-yard field goal and Bush returning a punt 64 yards for a touchdown. However, Minnesota rallied with QB Gus Frerotte completing a 33-yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian, along with Longwell nailing the game-winning 30-yard field goal.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 5: vs. Minnesota Vikings
This game was the first time in NFL history that a game had a combination of a blocked field goal, a TD pass by a non-quarterback, two field goals of 50+ yards, and two punts returned for touchdowns.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 6: vs. Oakland Raiders
Hoping to rebound from their MNF home loss to the Vikings, the Saints stayed at home for a Week 6 interconference duel with the Oakland Raiders. In the first quarter, New Orleans trailed early as Raiders Sebastian Janikowski got a 24-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Saints took the lead as RB Reggie Bush got a 3-yard TD run, along with kicker Taylor Mehlhaff (recently signed due to Martín Gramática out for the year) getting a 44-yard field goal.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 6: vs. Oakland Raiders
In the third quarter, New Orleans added on to their lead as QB Drew Brees completed an 8-yard TD pass to RB Aaron Stecker and a 15-yard TD pass to Bush. In the fourth quarter, the Saints closed out the game with Mehlhaff nailing a 33-yard field goal and Brees completing a 2-yard TD pass to TE Mark Campbell.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 6: vs. Oakland Raiders
With a 21-yard reception in the first quarter, Reggie Bush (14 att/27 yds, 3 rec/40 yards and 2 TDs), collected his 200th reception in his NFL career over the span of just 34 games, tying Anquan Boldin for the NFL record fewest games needed to do so.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 7: at Carolina Panthers
Coming off their home win over the Raiders, the Saints began their road trip at the Bank of America Stadium for a Week 7 NFC South duel with the Carolina Panthers. In the first quarter, New Orleans trailed early as Panthers kicker John Kasay got a 39-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Saints responded with FB Mike Karney getting a 1-yard TD run. However, Carolina answered with RB Jonathan Stewart getting an 18-yard TD run.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 7: at Carolina Panthers
In the third quarter, the Panthers added on to their lead as QB Jake Delhomme completed a 39-yard TD pass to WR Steve Smith and a 4-yard TD pass to WR DeAngelo Williams. In the fourth quarter, Carolina closed out the game with Kasay nailing a 28-yard field goal.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 8: vs. San Diego Chargers
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Panthers, the Saints flew to Wembley Stadium for the 2008 International Series game with quarterback Drew Brees' former team, the San Diego Chargers. For the game, New Orleans was registered as the home team.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 8: vs. San Diego Chargers
In the first quarter, the Saints drew first blood as rookie kicker Taylor Mehlhaff got a 23-yard field goal. The Chargers responded with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 33-yard field goal. In the second quarter, New Orleans got a huge lead as Brees completed a 12-yard TD pass to WR Devery Henderson (with a failed PAT), along with RB Deuce McAllister getting a 1-yard TD run. San Diego answered with QB Philip Rivers completing a 12-yard TD pass to RB LaDainian Tomlinson, but the Saints increased their lead as Brees completed a 30-yard TD pass to WR Lance Moore. The Chargers closed out the half as Rivers completed a 12-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 8: vs. San Diego Chargers
In the third quarter, New Orleans added on to their lead as Brees completed a 1-yard TD pass to TE Mark Campbell, but San Diego continued to hang around as Kaeding got a 24-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Saints continued its scoring with FB Mike Karney getting a 1-yard TD run. The Chargers tried to rally as Kaeding nailed a 31-yard field goal, Rivers completed a 14-yard TD run to WR Vincent Jackson, and Brees giving San Diego a safety by throwing an incomplete pass into the back of his own end zone. New Orleans' defense held on for the victory.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 8: vs. San Diego Chargers
With the win, the Saints went into their bye week at 4–4.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 10: at Atlanta Falcons
Coming off their bye week, the Saints flew to the Georgia Dome for a Week 10 NFC South duel with the Atlanta Falcons. In the first quarter, New Orleans trailed early as Falcons QB Matt Ryan completed a 16-yard TD pass to WR Roddy White. The Saints responded with rookie kicker Garrett Hartley getting a 24-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Atlanta answered with RB Michael Turner getting a 2-yard TD run. New Orleans replied with Hartley making a 44-yard field goal. The Falcons ended the half with kicker Jason Elam getting a 22-yard field goal.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 10: at Atlanta Falcons
In the third quarter, Atlanta increased its lead with Elam nailing a 27-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Falcons began to pull away as Ryan completed a 67-yard TD pass to RB Jerious Norwood. The Saints attempted to rally as QB Drew Brees completed a 15-yard TD pass to RB Deuce McAllister, but Atlanta sealed the win with CB Chevis Jackson returning an interception 95 yards for a touchdown. New Orleans ended the game with a meaningless 32-yard TD pass from Brees to WR Lance Moore.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 10: at Atlanta Falcons
With the loss, not only did the Saints fall to 4–5, but their 4-game winning streak against the Falcons was also snapped for the first time since 2005.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 11: at Kansas City Chiefs
Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the Falcons, the Saints flew to Arrowhead Stadium for a Week 11 interconference duel with the Kansas City Chiefs. In the first quarter, New Orleans trailed early as Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen completed a 6-yard TD pass to WR Dwayne Bowe. The Saints responded with rookie kicker Garrett Hartley getting a 30-yard field goal. In the second quarter, New Orleans took the lead as RB Deuce McAllister got a 1-yard TD run. Kansas City answered with kicker Connor Barth getting a 20-yard field goal, but the Saints closed out the half with Hartley making a 23-yard field goal.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 11: at Kansas City Chiefs
In the third quarter, New Orleans increased their lead as QB Drew Brees completed a 47-yard TD pass to WR Lance Moore. The Chiefs replied with Barth getting a 21-yard field goal, but the Saints answered with RB Pierre Thomas getting a 1-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Kansas City tried to rally as Thigpen hooked up with Bowe again on a 5-yard TD pass, but New Orleans closed out the scoring as Hartley nailed a 35-yard field goal.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers
Coming off their road win over the Chiefs, the Saints went home for a Week 12 MNF duel with the Green Bay Packers. In the first quarter, New Orleans trailed early as Packers FB John Kuhn got a 1-yard TD run. The Saints took the lead as QB Drew Brees completed a 70-yard TD pass to WR Lance Moore (which gave him his 9th-straight game of throwing a pass of 40+ yards, an NFL record), while RB Pierre Thomas got a 4-yard TD run.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers
In the second quarter, Green Bay responded with QB Aaron Rodgers completing a 7-yard TD pass to WR Greg Jennings. New Orleans answered with Brees hooking up with Moore again on a 14-yard TD pass. The Packers tied the game as Rodgers got a 10-yard TD run, but New Orleans regained the lead prior to halftime as rookie kicker Garrett Hartley made a 30-yard field goal.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers
In the third quarter, the Saints' offense exploded as Brees completed a 16-yard TD pass to TE Billy Miller, RB Deuce McAllister got a 3-yard TD run (which was his 49th career touchdown, making him the franchise's all-time career TD leader), and Brees completed a 70-yard TD pass to WR Marques Colston. In the fourth quarter, Green Bay tried to rally as Rodgers completed a 4-yard TD pass and a 2-point conversion pass to WR Ruvell Martin. Afterward, New Orleans closed out the game with Thomas' 31-yard TD run (with a failed 2-point conversion).


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers
With the win, the Saints kept their playoff hopes alive at 6–5.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 13: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Coming off their Monday Night home win over the Packers, the Saints flew to Raymond James Stadium for a Week 13 NFC South rematch with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the first quarter, New Orleans struck first as rookie kicker Garrett Hartley got a 47-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Buccaneers took the lead as kicker Matt Bryant got a 38-yard and a 23-yard field goal. The Saints regained the lead as QB Drew Brees completed a 13-yard TD pass to WR Lance Moore.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 13: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In the third quarter, Tampa Bay regained the lead as RB Carnell "Cadillac" Williams got an 8-yard TD run, along with QB Jeff Garcia completing a 39-yard TD pass to WR Antonio Bryant. In the fourth quarter, New Orleans tied the game as Brees completed a 20-yard TD pass to RB Pierre Thomas, along with Hartley getting a 43-yard field goal. However, the Buccaneers regained the lead as Bryant nailed a 37-yard field goal. The Saints tried to rally, but Brees' third interception prevented any hope of a comeback.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Coming off a loss to Tampa Bay, the New Orleans Saints returned home to host the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons appeared to be on the move on their first drive, but they came up empty after Saints cornerback Jason David intercepted Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan at the Saints' 26-yard line. From there, it took New Orleans only three plays to get into the end zone as  Reggie Bush ran for 43 yards and then caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees for the only score of the quarter.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons
In the second quarter, the Saints added to their lead with a 26-yard field goal from Garrett Hartley. The Atlanta offense finally woke up from there as Ryan completed a 59-yard pass to Roddy White, leading to an eventual 5-yard touchdown run by Michael Turner, cutting the deficit to 10–7. New Orleans responded with a 10-play, 3:39 drive that culminated in a 46-yard field goal by Hartley, extending the Saints' lead to 13–7.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Ryan then completed five of six passes on the Falcons' next drive, the last of which was a 2-yard touchdown pass to Brian Finneran, giving the Falcons a 14–13 lead. The Saints then used the final 2:13 of the half to drive to the Falcons' 7-yard line and closed out the half on a 25-yard field goal by Hartley to take a 16–14 halftime lead.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons
After an exchange of punts to begin the second half, Atlanta drove down to the Saints' 5-yard line by virtue of a long 18-play, 9:15 drive, only to settle for a 23-yard field goal by Jason Elam, which nevertheless gave the Falcons a 17–16 lead. New Orleans responded with an 11-play drive bridging the third and fourth quarters, which ended with Brees' 7-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Thomas, with a failed two-point conversion. The Falcons then marched 73 yards in 11 plays, the last being a 12-yard touchdown scramble by Ryan, plus a successful two-point conversion to Michael Jenkins.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons
But thanks to an 88-yard return by Thomas on the ensuing kickoff, the Saints' drive started off at the Falcons' 16-yard line. With the Saints facing 4th-and 1 at the 7-yard line, New Orleans coach Sean Payton elected to go for it rather than attempt a game-tying 25-yard field goal. Fullback Mike Karney came through for the Saints, getting a first down, and then Thomas gave the Saints a 29–25 lead with a 5-yard touchdown run. The Falcons could not get past their own 35-yard line on the ensuing drive, and they chose to punt the ball back to the Saints' offense, which ran out the clock.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons
With the win, the Saints kept their slim playoff hopes alive at 7–6. Pierre Thomas piled up 197 all-purpose yards, including 109 yards from scrimmage, 102 of it rushing. This was also the second time in a row that the Saints followed a loss to the Buccaneers with a win over the Falcons.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 15: at Chicago Bears
With a divisional home win to the Falcons behind them, the Saints flew to Soldier Field for a Week 15 Thursday night battle with the Chicago Bears. New Orleans immediately trailed as Bears safety Danieal Manning returned the game's opening kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown. The Saints answered with quarterback Drew Brees' 2-yard touchdown pass to running back Pierre Thomas, but Chicago struck right back as running back Matt Forte got a 1-yard touchdown run, along with quarterback Kyle Orton getting a 6-yard touchdown run.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 15: at Chicago Bears
The Saints rallied in the third quarter, as Thomas got a 42-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter, New Orleans took the lead as kicker Garrett Hartley got a 30-yard field goal, along with Brees completing an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marques Colston. However, the Bears tied the game as kicker Robbie Gould made a 28-yard field goal. In overtime, Chicago sealed New Orleans' fate as Gould nailed the game-winning 35-yard field goal.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 15: at Chicago Bears
With the loss, the Saints fell to 7–7 and were ousted from playoff contention after Atlanta's 13–10 overtime win over Tampa Bay on December 14.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 16: at Detroit Lions
Coming off their loss to the Bears, the Saints flew to Ford Field for a Week 16 duel with the winless Detroit Lions. New Orleans got the early first quarter lead as wide receiver Robert Meachem got a 20-yard touchdown run, followed by running back Deuce McAllister's 2-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, the Lions answered with running back Kevin Smith getting a 1-yard touchdown run, but the Saints answered with running back Mike Bell's 1-yard touchdown run, followed by running back Pierre Thomas's 2-yard touchdown run. New Orleans closed out the scoring with quarterback Drew Brees completing 6-yard and a 3-yard touchdown passes to wide receiver Marques Colston.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers
Coming off their road win over the Lions, the Saints closed out their season at home in a Week 17 NFC South rematch with the Carolina Panthers. New Orleans trailed early in the first quarter as Panthers kicker John Kasay made 45-yard and 26-yard field goals. In the second quarter, the Saints responded as rookie kicker Garrett Hartley made a 21-yard field goal, but Carolina answered with Kasay's 34-yard field goal, quarterback Jake Delhomme's 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, and cornerback Dante Wesley's 12-yard fumble return for a touchdown. New Orleans closed out the first half scoring with quarterback Drew Brees completing a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marques Colston.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers added to their lead in the third quarter as running back Jonathan Stewart got a 2-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter, the Saints rallied to take the lead as Brees completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Robert Meachem, along with a 9-yard and a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Lance Moore. However, Carolina took the lead for good as Kasay nailed the game-winning 42-yard field goal.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers
After being swept by the Panthers, the Saints ended their season at 8–8.


2008 New Orleans Saints season, Summary, Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers
Despite falling 16 yards shy of surpassing Dan Marino for the most single-season passing yards, Brees (30/49 for 386 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT) joined Marino as the only quarterbacks to throw for 5,000+ yards in a season (5,069).


2008 New Orleans VooDoo season
The 2008 New Orleans VooDoo season is the fourth and final season for the franchise. The Voodoo started the season with a 7–2 record, but lost 6 of their last 7 games, finishing with an 8–8 record. This caused them to miss the playoffs, losing a tiebreaker scenario with the New York Dragons who had finished with the same record, and had defeated the VooDoo in the regular season. The team folded 4 months later, but will return in 2011.


2008 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries
The 2008 New Progressive Party primaries were the primary elections by which voters of the New Progressive Party (PNP) chose its nominees for various political offices of Puerto Rico, namely the position of governor, for the 2008 general elections. Resident Commissioner Luis Fortuño was selected as the nominee at the primary elections held on March 9, 2008. He would go on to win the 2008 general election as well.


2008 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Background
Pedro Rosselló had come from a defeat against Aníbal Acevedo Vilá at the 2004 elections. Despite that, he managed to gain a seat in the Senate. After an unsuccessful power struggle within the Senate to gain the presidency of the body, it was speculated that Rosselló would make another attempt at being elected Governor for the 2008 elections.


2008 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Background
The power struggle had caused a division within the party, with the faction that supported Senate President Kenneth McClintock (called the "Auténticos") being expelled from the party during the previous year. Although the Supreme Court allowed them to run in the PNP primaries, Pedro Rosselló, then President of the party, still vouched for a "vote of punishment" against the Senators, which he called "traitors".


2008 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Candidates, Senate, District
The New Progressive Party held primaries on all 8 of the senatorial districts.


2008 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Candidates, House of Representatives, District
The Popular Democratic Party held primaries on 30 of the 40 representative districts.


2008 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Candidates, Mayors
The New Progressive Party held primaries in 34 of 78 municipalities.


2008 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Results
The primaries were held on March 9, 2008. In it, Fortuño comfortably defeated Rosselló to win the spot for Governor at the 2008 elections. Also, Pedro Pierluisi defeated Charlie Rodríguez and Miriam Ramírez de Ferrer with 60% of the votes to win the spot for Resident Commissioner.


2008 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Aftermath, Members of PPD voting
During and after the primaries, members of the New Progressive Party (PNP), like Senator Norma Burgos, claimed they saw voters affiliated with the opposing Popular Democratic Party (PPD) voting in the PNP ballots. Also, Maritza Vázquez, Electoral Commissioner of PPD representative Conny Varela, admitted in 2010 that "thousands of 'populares' voted on that election'". Some of the supporters of Rosselló maintain that this "crossover" was crucial in Pedro Rosselló's defeat against Luis Fortuño.


2008 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Aftermath, Rosselló "Write-In" campaign
As a result of Rosselló's loss in the primaries, a group of his supporters started a campaign to have him elected through "Write-in" voting.


2008 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Aftermath, The fate of the "Auténticos"
Despite Rosselló's call for a "vote of punishment" against the "Auténticos", all but one of the eligible candidates from that faction were elected in the primaries. Carlos Díaz was edged out of the election race by Senators Roberto Arango and Kimmey Raschke. Migdalia Padilla, Lucy Arce, and Jorge de Castro Font were all elected. Kenneth McClintock had decided not to run for Senate, while Orlando Parga refused to return to the party after his expulsion, and started an independent campaign.


2008 New South Wales Swifts season
The 2008 New South Wales Swifts season was the inaugural season for both New South Wales Swifts and the ANZ Championship. Swifts were formed in late 2007 when Netball New South Wales merged its two former Commonwealth Bank Trophy league teams, Sydney Swifts and Hunter Jaegers, in order to enter a single team in the 2008 ANZ Championship. With a team coached by Julie Fitzgerald and captained by Catherine Cox, Swifts won 10 of their 13 matches during the regular season and finished second behind Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. Swifts subsequently defeated Magic in both the major semi–final and the grand final to become the inaugural ANZ Championship winners.


2008 New South Wales Swifts season, Regular season
On 7 April, Swifts made their ANZ Championship debut against Southern Steel at the Acer Arena. During the regular season Swifts won 10 of their 13 matches and finished second behind Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.


2008 New South Wales Swifts season, Play offs
Swifts defeated Magic in both the major semi–final and the grand final to become the inaugural ANZ Championship winners.


2008 New Year Honours
The New Year Honours 2008 for the Commonwealth realms were announced on 29 December 2007, to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of 2008.


2008 New Year Honours
The recipients of honours are displayed here as they were styled before their new honour, and arranged firstly by the country whose ministers advised the Queen on the appointments, then by honour, with classes (Knight, Knight Grand Cross, etc.) and then divisions (Military, Civil, etc.) as appropriate.


2008 New Year Honours, United Kingdom, Order of the Bath
There are three Classes of members of the Order of the Bath:


2008 New Year Honours, United Kingdom, Order of the British Empire
The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are:


2008 New Year Honours, Cook Islands
Below are the individuals appointed by Elizabeth II in her right as Head of State of the Cook Islands, on advice of the Ministers of the Cook Islands.


2008 New Year Honours, Barbados
Below are the individuals appointed by Elizabeth II in her right as Queen of Barbados, on advice of Her Majesty's Barbados Ministers.


2008 New Year Honours, Grenada
Below are the individuals appointed by Elizabeth II in her right as Queen of Grenada, on advice of Her Majesty's Grenada Ministers.


2008 New Year Honours, Solomon Islands
Below are the individuals appointed by Elizabeth II in her right as Queen of Solomon Islands, on advice of Her Majesty's Solomon Islands Ministers.


2008 New Year Honours, Tuvalu
Below are the individuals appointed by Elizabeth II in her right as Queen of Tuvalu, on advice of Her Majesty's Tuvalu Ministers.


2008 New Year Honours, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Below are the individuals appointed by Elizabeth II in her right as Queen of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, on advice of Her Majesty's Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ministers.


2008 New Year Honours, Belize
Below are the individuals appointed by Elizabeth II in her right as Queen of Belize, on advice of Her Majesty's Saint Christopher and Nevis Ministers.


2008 New Year Honours, Antigua and Barbuda
Below are the individuals appointed by Elizabeth II in her right as Queen of Antigua and Barbuda, on advice of Her Majesty's Saint Christopher and Nevis Ministers.


2008 New Year Honours, Saint Christopher and Nevis
Below are the individuals appointed by Elizabeth II in her right as Queen of Saint Christopher ad Nevis, on advice of Her Majesty's Saint Christopher and Nevis Ministers.


2008 New Year Honours (New Zealand)
The 2008 New Year Honours in New Zealand were appointments by Elizabeth II in her right as Queen of New Zealand, on the advice of the New Zealand government, to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by New Zealanders, and to celebrate the passing of 2007 and the beginning of 2008. They were announced on 31 December 2007.


2008 New Year Honours (New Zealand)
The recipients of honours are displayed here as they were styled before their new honour.


2008 New York Buzz season
The 2008 New York Buzz season was the 14th season of the franchise in World TeamTennis (WTT).


2008 New York Buzz season
Led by 2008 WTT Female Rookie of the Year Yaroslava Shvedova, the Buzz had 10 wins and 4 losses, winning the Eastern Conference championship. It went on to defeat the Kansas City Explorers, 21–18, in the WTT Final to win its first King Trophy as WTT champions.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Drafts
For the third straight season, the Buzz passed on making a selection in the Marquee Player Draft. In the Roster Player Draft, the defending Eastern Conference champions left 2007 WTT Championship Most Valuable Player Rik de Voest unprotected in the first round and instead chose Yaroslava Shvedova. Nathan Healey was taken in the second round, leaving Ashley Fisher unprotected. The Buzz protected Gabriela Navrátilová in the third round, which gave the team two full-time female players and forced it to leave Gréta Arn unprotected. Vladimir Obradović was the Buzz's final selection in the draft. The team did not select any roster-exempt players. The Buzz named Jay Udwadia as its new head coach.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Move to Albany
On May 8, 2008, the Buzz announced that after 13 seasons at CDPHP Tennis Complex in Schenectady, New York, it would move its home matches to the larger Washington Avenue Armory Sports and Convention Arena in Albany. Buzz ownership said that it moved to the air-conditioned indoor arena which seats about 4,000 people for tennis, because it has secure parking to serve the team's growing fan base and to "give the team much more visibility and awareness and help increase the level of hospitality the Buzz wish to provide."


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Briaud replaces Obradović
In June 2008, Vladimir Obradović suffered a knee injury that would cause him to miss the entire season. Just two days before the season opener, the Buzz signed Patrick Briaud to take Obradović's place on the roster.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Regular season
During the regular season, the Buzz did not have a winning streak of more than three matches but never lost consecutive matches. The team relied heavily on Yaroslava Shvedova and Nathan Healey, both of whom typically played three of the five sets in each match, while Gabriela Navrátilová and Patrick Briaud usually only played women's and men's doubles.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Regular season
The Buzz started the season with two road victories before winning its home opener against the Boston Lobsters. On July 8, the Buzz visited the New York Sportimes and found themselves trailing, 15–10, after dropping the first three sets. Shvedova won the fourth set of women's singles, and Healey won the fifth set of men's singles to cut the Sportimes' lead to 21–20 and send the match to overtime. Jesse Witten took the first game of overtime from Healey to give the Sportimes the victory and hand the Buzz its first loss of the season, dropping its record to 3 wins and 1 loss.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Regular season
The Buzz bounced back the next evening at home against the expansion Washington Kastles, but not without falling behind early again. The Kastles won the first two sets and then sent Serena Williams onto the court to face Shvedova in women's singles. Williams took the set in a tiebreaker to give the Kastles a 15–11 lead.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Regular season
Shvedova and Healey won a tiebreaker in mixed doubles to cut the lead to 19–16, and Healey's 5–2 set win over Justin Gimelstob in men's singles tied the score at 21 all and sent the match to a super tiebreaker, which Healey won, 7–4, to improve the Buzz's record to 4 wins and 1 loss.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Regular season
Two nights later, the Buzz visited Washington for a rematch. The Buzz won three of the first four sets to build an 18–13 lead. But Robby Ginepri won the final set of men's singles, 5–3, over Healey and then won three straight games in overtime to send the match to a super tiebreaker. Ginepri completed the furious comeback by taking the super tiebreaker game, 7–4, to give the Kastles the win and drop the Buzz's record to 4 wins and 2 losses.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Regular season
The Buzz went on the road on July 15, to face the 7–0 Kansas City Explorers, the only undefeated team remaining in WTT. With the match tied at 13 all after three sets, Navrátilová and Shvedova dominated Rennae Stubbs and Květa Peschke, 5–0, in women's doubles. Briaud and Healey closed out a 23–17 victory by taking a tiebreaker in the final set of men's doubles. The win improved the Buzz's record to 6 wins and 3 losses.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Regular season
On July 18, the Buzz hosted the defending WTT Champion Sacramento Capitals in a rematch of the 2007 WTT Finals. Shvedova won the fourth set of women's singles, 5–2, and teamed with Navrátilová to win the opening set of women's doubles in a tiebreaker and with Healey to win the second set of mixed doubles, 5–3. Leading 18–14 after four sets, Briaud and Healey dropped the fifth set of men's doubles in a tiebreaker, but they won the second game of overtime to secure a 23–20 victory for the Buzz that improved its record to 7 wins and 3 losses.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Regular season
Coming off a road loss to the Philadelphia Freedoms that included an appearance by coach Jay Udwadia playing the tiebreaker game of the men's singles set, the Buzz hosted the first-place Sportimes on July 20. The Sportimes could clinch the Eastern Conference championship with a win. Shvedova won the fourth set of women's singles, 5–1, and paired with Navrátilová for a 5–0 set win in women's doubles in the opening set and with Healey to take the second set of mixed doubles, 5–3. Briaud and Healey closed out a dominant 23–11 victory with a 5–2 set win in men's doubles. The win clinched the second consecutive playoff appearance for the Buzz and improved its record to 8 wins and 4 losses.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Regular season
After the win over the Sportimes, the Buzz closed the regular season by winning all five sets in each of its final two matches to finish with 10 wins and 4 losses and a three-match winning streak.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Eastern Conference title
Under the 2008 playoff format, the WTT conference championships were decided in the regular season. After the Buzz completed its regular season on July 23, it trailed the New York Sportimes by one-half match in the Eastern Conference but held a standings tiebreaker edge based on games won in head-to-head matches, 43–33. Later that evening, the Sportimes lost on the road to the Sacramento Capitals, 20–19, when Eric Butorac and Sam Warburg took a fifth-set tiebreaker from Brian Wilson and Jesse Witten, giving the Buzz its second consecutive Eastern Conference championship.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Shvedova named Rookie of the Year
Yaroslava Shvedova was named WTT Female Rookie of the Year. She was second in the league in winning percentage in women's singles and fourth in women's doubles.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Battle for New York in WTT Semifinals
The Buzz was the overall number 2 seed which matched it with the number 3 seed, the New York Sportimes, in the WTT Semifinals on July 26, at Allstate Stadium at Westfield Galleria at Roseville in Roseville, California, the site of WTT's 2008 Championship Weekend. In the first ever postseason meeting between the two New York clubs, the Buzz dominated the match winning the first four sets. Nathan Healey and Yaroslava Shvedova opened the match with a 5–3 set win against John McEnroe and Hana Šromová in mixed doubles. Shvedova followed with a 5–2 women's singles win over Ashley Harkleroad.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, Battle for New York in WTT Semifinals
Healy took care of Jesse Witten, 5–2, in men's singles. Gabriela Navrátilová and Shvedova needed a tiebreaker to beat Harkleroad and Šromová, 5–4, and give the Buzz a 20–11 lead heading to the final set. McEnroe and Witten won a tiebreaker over Patrick Briaud and Healy in men's doubles to force overtime with the Buzz leading 24–16. Briaud and Healy won the second game of overtime to give the Buzz a 25–17 victory and send it to its fourth WTT Final.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, WTT Final
On July 27, in the WTT Final, the Buzz faced the number 1 seed Kansas City Explorers, who were coming off a regular season record of 13 wins and 1 loss (coming at the hands of the Buzz on July 15) and thrashed the defending champion Sacramento Capitals 21–10 in the semifinals. Nathan Healey got the Buzz off to a good start with a win in the first set of men's singles over Dušan Vemić, 5–3. Yaroslava Shvedova followed with a 5–3 set win over Květa Peschke in women's singles to give the Buzz a 10–6 lead.


2008 New York Buzz season, Season recap, WTT Final
The Explorers fought back with a 5–3 set win by Rennae Stubbs and Vemić in mixed doubles over Shvedova and Healey. Stubbs and Peschke then registered a 5–3 set win over Shvedova and Gabriela Navrátilová in women's doubles to tie the match at 16 all. In the final set, Healey and Patrick Briaud topped James Auckland and Vemić in men's doubles, 5–2, to secure the first King Trophy in Buzz history. Despite playing for the losing team, Stubbs was named WTT Championship Most Valuable Player.


2008 New York Buzz season, Draft picks
Since the Buzz lost in the 2007 WTT Finals, it had the next-to-last (10th) selection in each round of WTT's two drafts. The Buzz passed on making any selections in the Marquee Player Draft. The league conducted its 2008 Roster Player Draft on April 1, in Miami, Florida. The selections made by the Buzz are shown in the table below.


2008 New York Buzz season, Statistics
Players are listed in order of their game-winning percentage provided they played in at least 40% of the Buzz's games in that event, which is the WTT minimum for qualification for league leaders in individual statistical categories.


2008 New York Buzz season, Individual honors and achievements
Yaroslava Shvedova was named WTT Female Rookie of the Year. She was second in the league in winning percentage in women's singles and fourth in women's doubles.


2008 New York City Marathon
The 2008 New York City Marathon was the 39th running of the annual marathon race in New York City, United States, which took place on Sunday, November 2. The men's elite race was won by Brazil's Marílson Gomes dos Santos in a time of 2:08:43 hours while the women's race was won by Great Britain's Paula Radcliffe in 2:23:56.


2008 New York City Marathon
In the wheelchair races, Australia's Kurt Fearnley (1:44:51) and Switzerland's Edith Hunkeler (2:06:42) won the men's and women's divisions, respectively. In the handcycle race, Poland's Arkadiusz Skrzypinski (1:35:26) and Dutchwoman Nicole Schefer (1:46:34) were the winners.


2008 New York City Marathon
A total of 37,790 runners finished the race, 24,991 men and 12,799 women.


2008 New York Democratic presidential primary
The 2008 New York Democratic presidential primary took place on February 5, 2008, also known as Super Tuesday. Polls indicated that New York Senator Hillary Clinton was leading rival Senator Barack Obama by double digits in the weeks before the contest, and she ended up winning with roughly 57% of the vote.


2008 New York Democratic presidential primary, Polls
Polls throughout the campaign indicated that Hillary Clinton, a Senator from New York, was clearly favored to win the New York primary. She won every poll conducted in the state by double digits except one, and got more than 40% in every poll conducted, even with various challengers. After the number of candidates dropped significantly in late January, Clinton won 50% or more in every poll but one.


2008 New York Democratic presidential primary, Vote discrepancies
After the votes were initially counted on election night, certain districts near New York City were found to be missing their vote tallies for Obama. The New York Times conducted a review of the unofficial results from the primary. They found that, among New York City's 6,106 election districts participating, 80 districts did not record a single vote for Obama, including heavily black districts like Harlem, as well as districts next to others where Obama had very favorable results. City election officials reviewed the vote tallies and found several inaccuracies. For example, in Harlem where Clinton led Obama 141 to 0, the recounted vote was counted as 261 to 136, Clinton. In Brooklyn the primary night vote was 118 to 0, Clinton, whereas the recounted vote went 118 to 116, Clinton.


2008 New York Democratic presidential primary, Vote discrepancies
Democratic leaders blamed the discrepancies on "human error" due to weary election officials on primary day. According to ABC News, however, other candidates such as John Edwards did not have this problem; it seemed to be almost exclusive to Obama.


2008 New York Democratic presidential primary, Vote discrepancies
The counting errors only occurred in the election night tallies, which are always unofficial. Following normal procedures, the votes were re-tallied before being officially certified. The final, official results left Clinton with 139 pledged delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention and Obama with 93.


2008 New York Dragons season
The 2008 New York Dragons season is the 14th season for the franchise, their eighth season in New York. The Dragons finished the regular season with an 8–8 record, and were able to take the 6th and final playoff seed in the National Conference by virtue of winning a tiebreaker scenario over the New Orleans VooDoo. The Dragons won their Wild Card round game, upsetting the Dallas Desperados 77–63. The Desperados had defeated the Dragons in both regular season meetings. In the Divisional round of the playoffs, the Dragons lost to top seeded Philadelphia Soul, 48–49, who the Dragons had also lost both regular season meetings to.


2008 New York Dragons season, Standings
z - Clinched division and conference's best recordx - Clinched playoff berth


2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards
The 74th New York Film Critics Circle Awards, honoring the best in film for 2008, were announced on 10 December 2008 and presented on 5 January 2009.


2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Winners, Best Actor
1. Sean Penn – Milk2. Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler3. Clint Eastwood – Gran Torino


2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Winners, Best Actress
1. Sally Hawkins – Happy-Go-Lucky2. Melissa Leo – Frozen River3. Anne Hathaway – Rachel Getting Married3. Kate Winslet – Revolutionary Road


2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Winners, Best Cinematography
1. Anthony Dod Mantle – Slumdog Millionaire2. Claudio Miranda – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button3. Wally Pfister – The Dark Knight


2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Winners, Best Director
1. Mike Leigh – Happy-Go-Lucky2. Danny Boyle – Slumdog Millionaire3. David Fincher – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button


2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Winners, Best First Film
1. Courtney Hunt – Frozen River2. Lance Hammer – Ballast3. Joachim Trier – Reprise


2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Winners, Best Foreign Language Film
1. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (4 luni, 3 saptamani si 2 zile) • Romania2. A Christmas Tale (Un conte de Noël) • France3. The Class (Entre les murs) • France


2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Winners, Best Non-Fiction Film
1. Man on Wire2. Waltz with Bashir (Vals Im Bashir)3. Trouble the Water


2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Winners, Best Screenplay
1. Jenny Lumet – Rachel Getting Married2. Mike Leigh – Happy-Go-Lucky3. Robert D. Siegel – The Wrestler


2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Winners, Best Supporting Actor
1. Josh Brolin – Milk2. Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight3. Robert Downey Jr. – Tropic Thunder


2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Winners, Best Supporting Actress
1. Penélope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona2. Viola Davis – Doubt3. Rosemarie DeWitt – Rachel Getting Married3. Debra Winger – Rachel Getting Married


2008 New York Film Festival
The 46th New York Film Festival ran from September 26 to October 12, 2008. In addition to screening the feature films listed below, which were often preceded by short films, the festival ran a sidebar retrospective of the films of controversial Japanese director Nagisa Oshima. The festival also included its twelfth annual series Views from the Avant-Garde, showcasing a variety of experimental films.


2008 New York Giants season
The 2008 New York Giants season was the franchise's 84th season in the National Football League (NFL) as the team looked to defend its Super Bowl XLII title. They improved upon their 10–6 record from 2007, becoming NFC East champions and finished with the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs for the only time in the Tom Coughlin era. Despite a franchise best 11–1 start and clinching the number 1 seed for the first time in eight years, the Giants lost four of their last five games, including their first playoff game against the Eagles, ending their season. The Giants were the only NFC team from the 2007 playoffs to qualify for the 2008 playoffs.


2008 New York Giants season
2008 was the first and only time in franchise history the Giants qualified for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. This was also the first time that the Giants made the playoffs the year after making the Super Bowl, after missing the playoffs in 1987 (following win in Super Bowl XXI), 1991 (following win in Super Bowl XXV), and 2001 (following loss in Super Bowl XXXV).


2008 New York Giants season
The 2008 Giants led the NFL in rushing and set a franchise record with 2,518 rushing yards. Their running attack was headlined by a trio, nicknamed "Earth (Brandon Jacobs), Wind (Derrick Ward), and Fire (Ahmad Bradshaw)." The Giants became the fifth team in NFL history with two players to rush for more than 1,000 yards: Jacobs (1,089) and Ward (1,025). Ward signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the season while Jacobs and Bradshaw won another Super Bowl with the Giants in 2011.


2008 New York Giants season
This season was the last season the Giants had 11+ wins until 8 years later in 2016 when the Giants went 11–5.


2008 New York Giants season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Releases and injuries
On February 29, the first day of free-agency, Giants free agent linebacker Kawika Mitchell left the team to join the Buffalo Bills, safety Gibril Wilson went to the Oakland Raiders, and linebacker Reggie Torbor joined the Miami Dolphins.


2008 New York Giants season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Releases and injuries
On March 14, free agent defensive tackle William Joseph departed to join Wilson with the Raiders.


2008 New York Giants season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Releases and injuries
On June 9, 15-year veteran, and seven-time Pro-Bowler, Michael Strahan retired and joined the Fox NFL broadcasting team.


2008 New York Giants season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Releases and injuries
On August 26, undrafted rookie free-agent Terrance Stringer was waived.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Regular season
The Giants began their title defense in the traditional NFL Kickoff game like previous champions when they played the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium. Traditionally, this game is usually played on the first Thursday following Labor Day in the United States. This day fell on September 4 in 2008.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Regular season
On March 26, the NFL, NBC, and the Republican National Committee agreed in principle to move the kickoff time of the opener to 7:00 pm EDT instead of 8:30 pm EDT to accommodate the 2008 Republican National Convention.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 1: vs. Washington Redskins
With their Super Bowl championship title to defend, the Giants began their season in the annual kickoff game against their NFC East rivals, the Washington Redskins. In the first quarter, New York got a fast start as Super Bowl XLII MVP QB Eli Manning capped off the game's opening drive with a 1-yard TD run. Later in the quarter, kicker John Carney managed to get  a 24-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the G-Men increased their lead with Carney nailing a 25-yard and a 47-yard field goal. Near the end of the half, the Redskins managed to get on the board as QB Jason Campbell completed a 12-yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss. New York's defense stiffened in the second half and allowed them to hold on for the victory.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 1: vs. Washington Redskins
With the win, not only did the Giants begin their season at 1–0, they also became the 9th-straight defending Super Bowl champion to win their season opener.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 2: at St. Louis Rams
Coming off their divisional home win over the Redskins, the Giants flew to the Edward Jones Dome for a Week 2 duel with the St. Louis Rams. In the first quarter, the G-Men drew first blood with QB Eli Manning completing a 33-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress. In the second quarter, the Rams responded with kicker Josh Brown getting a 54-yard field goal. New York came right back with kicker John Carney nailing a 33-yard field goal. St. Louis would answer with Brown kicking a 54-yard field goal, while Carney gave the Giants a 33-yard field goal.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 2: at St. Louis Rams
In the third quarter, New York increased its lead with Manning completing a 10-yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer. In the fourth quarter, the Rams tried to rally as QB Marc Bulger completed a 45-yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt. Afterwards, the Big Blue pulled away with Manning's 18-yard TD pass to RB Ahmad Bradshaw, DE Justin Tuck's 41-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Bradshaw's 31-yard TD run.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 2: at St. Louis Rams
With the win, not only did the Giants improve to 2–0, but they also picked up their 12th consecutive road win.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Coming off their road win over the Rams, the Giants went home for a Week 3 interconference duel with the Cincinnati Bengals. In the first quarter, the G-Men trailed early as Bengals kicker Shayne Graham kicked a 22-yard field goal. In the second quarter, New York responded with RB Brandon Jacobs getting a 1-yard TD run. Cincinnati replied with RB Chris Perry getting a 25-yard TD run, yet the Giants managed to tie the game with kicker John Carney getting a 24-yard field goal. The Bengals ended the first half with Graham's 30-yard field goal.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
In the third quarter, Big Blue responded with Carney's 46-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Giants took the lead with Carney kicking a 26-yard field goal. Cincinnati took the lead again with QB Carson Palmer completing a 17-yard TD pass to WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. New York reclaimed the lead with QB Eli Manning completing a 4-yard TD pass to TE Kevin Boss, yet the Bengals tied the game with Graham's 21-yard field goal. In overtime, Carney gave the Big Blue a big win with a game-winning 22-yard field goal.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
With the win, the Giants entered the bye week at 3–0.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Coming off their bye week, the Giants stayed at home for a Week 5 duel with the Seattle Seahawks. The game was notable for the fact that WR Plaxico Burress was suspended for this game, due to a minor internal conflict.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks
In the first quarter, the Giants drew first blood as QB Eli Manning completed a 32-yard TD to WR Domenik Hixon. The Seahawks responded with kicker Olindo Mare getting a 30-yard field goal. Afterwards, New York increased its lead with RB Brandon Jacobs getting a 3-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Giants continued its run with kicker John Carney getting a 29-yard field goal, Jacobs getting a 1-yard TD run, and Carney kicking a 33-yard field goal. Seattle closed the half with Mare making a 29-yard field goal.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks
In the third quarter, the Giants continued their victory march as Manning completed a 23-yard TD pass to WR Sinorice Moss, along with Carney nailing a 35-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, New York completed its domination as backup QB David Carr completed a 5-yard TD pass to Moss.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Giants racked up 523 yards in total offense, their most since collecting 524 yards against Green Bay on January 6, 2002, and limited Seattle to 187.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks
With their eighth-straight win, the Giants acquired their first 4–0 start since the franchise's Super Bowl XXV championship run of 1990.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks
The 38-point differential win marked New York's largest regular-season margin of victory since 1972. The Giants also led the NFL in point differential with +78 in four games. The second best point differential belonged to the Tennessee Titans, with +59, in five games.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 6: at Cleveland Browns
Coming off their dominating home win over the Seahawks, the Giants flew to Cleveland Browns Stadium for a Week 6 interconference duel with the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football. Also the first time Tom Coughlin returned to Cleveland since the 2001 Bottlegate incident.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 6: at Cleveland Browns
In the first quarter, New York trailed early as Browns kicker Phil Dawson got a 28-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants took the lead as RB Brandon Jacobs got a 7-yard TD run. Cleveland regained the lead as RB Jamal Lewis got a 4-yard TD run, along with QB Derek Anderson completing a 22-yard TD pass to TE Darnell Dinkins. The Giants closed out the half with QB Eli Manning completing a 3-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 6: at Cleveland Browns
In the third quarter, the Browns added on to their lead as Dawson nailed a 26-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Cleveland pulled away as Anderson completed an 11-yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards and CB Eric Wright returned an interception 94 yards for a touchdown.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 6: at Cleveland Browns
With the loss, not only did the Giants fall to 4–1, but their 12-game road winning streak was snapped.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 7: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Hoping to rebound from their Monday Night road loss to the Browns, the Giants went home for a Week 7 duel with the San Francisco 49ers. In the first quarter, New York drew first blood as RB Brandon Jacobs got a 26-yard TD run. The 49ers responded with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 40-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the G-Men increased their lead as Jacobs got a 2-yard TD run. San Francisco answered with QB J.T. O'Sullivan completing a 30-yard TD pass to WR Josh Morgan. The Giants would close out the half with kicker John Carney getting a 21-yard field goal.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 7: vs. San Francisco 49ers
In the third quarter, New York added onto their lead as QB Eli Manning completed a 6-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress. The 49ers would reply as CB Nate Clements returned a blocked field goal 74 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the G-Men pulled away as Carney nailed a 48-yard field goal, along with DE Justin Tuck forcing an O'Sulivan fumble that would roll towards the 49ers' endzone, causing Morgan to kick the ball out of the back of the endzone, giving New York a safety.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 8: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Coming off their home win over the 49ers, the Giants flew to Heinz Field for a Week 8 interconference duel with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first quarter, New York trailed early as Steelers RB Mewelde Moore got a 32-yard TD run. The G-Men would respond with kicker John Carney getting a 26-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants took the lead as Carney got a 35-yard and a 25-yard field goal.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 8: at Pittsburgh Steelers
In the third quarter, Pittsburgh regained the lead with QB Ben Roethlisberger completing a 65-yard TD pass to WR Nate Washington. In the fourth quarter, New York pulled within two points as Carney nailed a 24-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Giants tied the game as LB James Harrison (who took over the Steelers' long snapper position after their normal long snapper Greg Warren was injured during the game) accidentally snapped the ball high over punter Mitch Berger and it rolled into the back of the endzone for a safety. Afterwards, New York finished its rally as QB Eli Manning completed a 2-yard TD pass to TE Kevin Boss.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 9: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Coming off their huge road win over the Steelers, the Giants went home for a Week 9 NFC East duel against the rival Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, the G-Men drew first blood as QB Eli Manning completed a 13-yard TD pass to TE Kevin Boss and a 5-yard TD pass to WR Steve Smith. In the second quarter, the Cowboys responded with CB Mike Jenkins returning an interception 23 yards for a touchdown. New York would end the half with Manning completing an 11-yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 9: vs. Dallas Cowboys
In the third quarter, the Giants increased their lead as RB Brandon Jacobs got a 12-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Dallas tried to rally as QB Brooks Bollinger completed an 8-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens. Afterwards, New York pulled away as RB Derrick Ward got a 17-yard TD run.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 10: at Philadelphia Eagles
Coming off their home win over the Cowboys, the Giants flew to Lincoln Financial Field for a Week 10 NFC East duel with the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. In the first quarter, New York trailed early as Eagles WR DeSean Jackson got a 9-yard TD run. The Giants responded with QB Eli Manning completing a 17-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress, along with kicker John Carney getting a 27-yard field goal.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 10: at Philadelphia Eagles
In the second quarter, the Giants increased their lead as Manning completed a 1-yard TD pass to TE Kevin Boss. Philadelphia responded with QB Donovan McNabb completing a 10-yard TD pass to WR Jason Avant. New York answered right back as Carney got a 26-yard field goal. The Eagles would close out the half as kicker David Akers got a 29-yard field goal.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 10: at Philadelphia Eagles
In the third quarter, Philadelphia took the lead as McNabb completed a 7-yard TD pass to WR Hank Baskett. The Giants replied with RB Brandon Jacobs getting a 3-yard TD run. New York increased their lead as Carney nailed a 28-yard field goal, along with Jacobs getting another 3-yard TD run (with a failed 2-point conversion). The Eagles tried to come back as McNabb completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Kevin Curtis. Big Blue's defense managed to prevent any possible comeback, preserving the lead.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 11: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Coming off their divisional road win over the Eagles, the Giants went home for a Week 11 interconference duel with the Baltimore Ravens. In the first quarter, the G-Men drew first blood as RB Brandon Jacobs got two 1-yard TD runs (with a failed PAT on the latter). In the second quarter, New York increased their lead as QB Eli Manning completed a 1-yard TD pass to TE Darcy Johnson. The Ravens would respond with kicker Matt Stover getting a 38-yard field goal.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 11: vs. Baltimore Ravens
In the third quarter, Baltimore tried to rally as QB Joe Flacco completed a 10-yard TD pass to FB Le'Ron McClain. The Giants would answer with CB Aaron Ross returning an interception 50 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, New York pulled away as kicker Lawrence Tynes nailed a 19-yard field goal.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 12: at Arizona Cardinals
Coming off their home win over the Ravens, the Giants flew to the University of Phoenix Stadium for a Week 12 duel with the Arizona Cardinals. In the first quarter, New York trailed early as Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers got a 34-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants responded with RB Derrick Ward getting a 1-yard TD run. Arizona would answer with RB Tim Hightower getting a 4-yard TD run (with a failed extra-point attempt). New York replied with kicker John Carney getting a 33-yard field goal, yet the Cardinals got the lead again as Rackers made a 20-yard field goal. The Giants would regain the lead prior to halftime as QB Eli Manning completed a 12-yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 12: at Arizona Cardinals
In the third quarter, the G-Men increased their lead as Manning completed a 2-yard TD pass to FB Madison Hedgecock. Arizona would answer with Hightower's 1-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, New York greatly increased their lead as Manning completed a 10-yard TD pass to TE Kevin Boss. Following an interception by Terrell Thomas, John Carney got a 27-yard field goal. Arizona would respond with QB Kurt Warner completing a 5-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin, yet the Giants answered with Carney getting a 33-yard field goal. The Cardinals tried to come back as Rackers nailed a 44-yard field goal. Fortunately, New York recovered the following onside kick and prevailed.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 12: at Arizona Cardinals, Plaxico Burress shooting
On Friday, November 28, 2008, Giants Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress suffered an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound to the right thigh in a New York City nightclub when his gun, tucked in the waistband of his sweatpants, began sliding down his leg. The injury was not life-threatening and he was released from an area hospital the next afternoon. The following Monday, Burress turned himself in to police to face charges of criminal possession of a handgun. Burress had an expired concealed carry (CCW) license from Florida, but no New York license.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 12: at Arizona Cardinals, Plaxico Burress shooting
On December 2, 2008, Burress posted bail of $100,000. He was scheduled to return to court on March 31, 2009, to enter a plea. Later in the day, Burress reported to Giants Stadium as per team policy for injured but active players, and was told he would be suspended without pay


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 12: at Arizona Cardinals, Plaxico Burress shooting
Burress would later be released by the Giants on April 3, 2009.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 13: vs. Washington Redskins
Coming off their road win over the Cardinals, the Giants flew to Fedex Field for a Week 13 NFC East rematch with the Washington Redskins. In the first quarter, New York scored first as QB Eli Manning completed a 40-yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer, along with kicker John Carney getting a 31-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants increased their lead as Carney got a 38-yard field goal. The Redskins would close out the half with WR Devin Thomas getting a 29-yard TD run.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 13: vs. Washington Redskins
In the third quarter, New York began to pull away as RB Brandon Jacobs got a 1-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Giants sealed the deal with Carney connecting on a 39-yard field goal.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 13: vs. Washington Redskins
With the season-sweep, the Giants improved to 11–1, exceeding the 1986 and 1990 teams (both started 10–2 and eventually won the Super Bowl) for the best 12-game record in franchise history.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 14: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia would score first in the game with a 51-yard David Akers field goal. Then in the second quarter, the Eagles Brian Westbrook scored on a 30-yard touchdown run that gave Philadelphia a 10–0 lead. With 7 seconds left in the 1st half, the Eagles attempted to go up 13–0 with a field goal, instead, the kick was blocked and returned 71 yards by Kevin Dockery for a Giants touchdown. That cut the lead to 10–7.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 14: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Early in the third quarter, Donovan McNabb found Brian Westbrook for a 40-yard Eagles touchdown that increased their lead to 17–7. Philadelphia would score again in the 3rd with a 34-yard field goal by David Akers. The Giants would score on a 1-yard pass from Eli Manning to Darcy Johnson with 20 seconds left in the game, but couldn't recover an onside kick and the Eagles won the game.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 14: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Despite falling to 11–2, the Giants clinched the NFC East title when the Dallas Cowboys lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 20–13.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 15: at Dallas Cowboys
The second-to-last NFL game ever to be played at Texas Stadium was a defensive struggle that featured the Giants' weakest offensive showing of the year. Brandon Jacobs was sidelined with a knee injury, crippling New York's running game; Derrick Ward started in his place.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 15: at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys scored first, on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Patrick Crayton early in the second quarter. The Giants answered with a 34-yard John Carney field goal on the ensuing drive. The next scoring came in the fourth quarter, when Romo threw fullback Deon Anderson his first career touchdown. On the Cowboys' next drive, deep in their own territory, Mathias Kiwanuka sacked Romo and forced a fumble in the end zone, which resulted in a safety. But the Giants could only put up another field goal, and Tashard Choice's 38-yard touchdown run with 2:24 to play sealed the victory for the Cowboys. Eli Manning was sacked a season-high eight times to Romo's four.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 15: at Dallas Cowboys
The Giants had now lost two consecutive games for the first time since Weeks 1–2 of 2007, and fell to 11–3.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers
The Giants snapped their two-game losing streak and clinched home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs by defeating the Panthers. With the loss Carolina failed to clinch the NFC South. The Giants had already clinched a first round bye by virtue of Minnesota's loss to Atlanta earlier in the day.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers
New York won the toss and scored on their opening drive on a 32-yard John Carney field goal. Carolina responded by scoring a touchdown on their first drive, a thirteen-yard run by DeAngelo Williams.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers
The Giants scored on their second drive as well, going 74 yards in 13 plays and ending with a Brandon Jacobs touchdown from the Carolina 2. The Panthers responded with another Williams touchdown run, this time five yards, and a 14–10 lead. After forcing the Giants to punt Carolina scored again, as Williams scored his third touchdown of the game on a one-yard run. The drive went four plays for 65 yards, 60 of which came on a deep pass from Jake Delhomme to Muhsin Muhammad. Williams' touchdown came two plays after Steve Smith appeared to have scored on a short pass, but a replay challenge was upheld.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers
After the teams traded punts the Giants scored with 0:55 remaining in the half as Carney added his second field goal of the game. Then on their second drive of the second half, Eli Manning threw a short touchdown to Kevin Boss to cut the deficit to 21–20 with 1:07 remaining in the third quarter. Carolina scored on their very next drive, with Williams scoring for the fourth time on a thirty-yard run.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers
New York tied the game with 3:24 remaining as Jacobs scored on a one-yard touchdown run, after starting the drive in Panther territory. The Giants converted the two-point conversion on a pass from Manning to Domenik Hixon. Carolina then drove down the field and faced fourth and five from the Giants 32-yard line, but John Kasay missed the potential game-winning field goal from 50 yards out.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers
On their second possession of the overtime period the Giants started at their own 13-yard line. On the first play of the drive Derrick Ward ran for 51 yards and pushed the ball into Carolina territory. Ward added a fourteen-yard run two plays later and a seventeen-yard run the play following that, pushing his rushing total to 215 yards (a career-high) and leaving the Giants two yards from the endzone. On the next play Jacobs scored on a run, his third score of the game, and New York won the game.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers
The Giants rushed for 301 yards in the game compared to 158 for the Panthers. Jacobs added 87 yards to Ward's 215. Williams rushed for 108 yards on 24 carries, including his four touchdowns. Delhomme finished 11–19 for 185 yards and Manning 17–27 for 181 and a touchdown.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers
Ward's 14.3-yard rushing average was a single game Giants record. Manning became the first Giants quarterback to throw at least 3,000 passing yards in a season for four consecutive seasons.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers
While the gametime temperature was 34°, the wind chill being -28 made the game feel like it was only 6° at kickoff. Both teams emphasized their running games, 7 of the 8 touchdowns scored were on the ground.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 17: at Minnesota Vikings
The Giants lost their final game of the 2008 regular season in Minneapolis, their first loss to the Vikings in the Metrodome since the 2001 season. Minnesota clinched the NFC North division crown with the win. New York rested most of their starters in the second half and Brandon Jacobs, Kevin Boss, Aaron Ross, and Barry Cofield were held out of the game due to injuries.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 17: at Minnesota Vikings
After a scoreless first quarter the Vikings jumped out to a 10–0 lead early in the second quarter, with a Ryan Longwell field goal and a 67-yard touchdown run by Adrian Peterson coming 3:27 apart. Three field goals by John Carney cut the Vikings' lead to 10–9 at the half.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 17: at Minnesota Vikings
The Giants took their first lead in the third quarter as David Carr hit Domenik Hixon for a 23-yard touchdown pass and extended the lead to nine with 11:25 remaining in the game as Carney added his fourth field goal. Minnesota scored a touchdown on a long pass from Tarvaris Jackson to Bernard Berrian on their next drive, cutting the Giants lead to 19–17. The Giants then had a chance to extend the lead and force Minnesota to score a touchdown to win, but Carney missed from 48 yards with 3:17 to go. Jackson then led the Vikings into field goal range and Longwell hit from 50 yards out to win the game as time expired.


2008 New York Giants season, 2008 season, Week 17: at Minnesota Vikings
Eli Manning, who started for the Giants but was pulled in the third quarter, led the team with 119 yards passing on 11-for-19, and Carr added 110 yards on 8-for-11. Halfback Derrick Ward rushed for 77 yards on 15 carries, eclipsing 1,000 yards for the season (1,025), joining Jacobs in the 1,000-yard club and making the Giants the fourth team in NFL history (joining the 1971 Dolphins, 1976 Steelers, and 1985 Browns) with two 1,000-yard running backs.


2008 New York Giants season, Playoffs, NFC Divisional Round: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Entering the postseason as the NFC's top seed, the Giants began their postseason run at home in the NFC Divisional round against their NFC East rival, the #6 Philadelphia Eagles, in Round 3 of 2008's series.


2008 New York Giants season, Playoffs, NFC Divisional Round: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
New York got the early first quarter lead as kicker John Carney got a 22-yard field goal. The Eagles would respond with quarterback Donovan McNabb getting a 1-yard touchdown run. The Giants would answer in the second quarter as the defense forced McNabb into an intentional grounding penalty from his own endzone, giving them a safety. Afterwards, Carney would give New York the lead with a 34-yard field goal. However, Philadelphia would get the halftime lead as kicker David Akers got a 25-yard field goal.


2008 New York Giants season, Playoffs, NFC Divisional Round: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Giants would regain the lead in the third quarter as Carney made a 36-yard field goal, but the Eagles got the lead again as Akers kicked a 35-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Philadelphia took control as McNabb completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brent Celek, followed by Akers nailing a 20-yard field goal. New York tried to rally, but the Eagles' defense would shut down any last attempt at a comeback.


2008 New York Giants season, Playoffs, NFC Divisional Round: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
With the loss, the Giants' season ended with an overall record of 12–5. The Philadelphia Eagles became the first team to beat the Giants twice in the same season in Giants Stadium – the Giants were 7–2 at home this season and both losses were to the Eagles. This was the first game in NFL history with a final score of 23–11.


2008 New York Jets season
The 2008 New York Jets season was the franchise's 39th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 49th season overall, and the third and final under head coach Eric Mangini. The team succeeded in improving upon their 4–12 record from 2007, but did not make the playoffs for the second straight season.


2008 New York Jets season, Offseason, Signings
The Jets used a large amount of salary cap room to make several high-profile acquisitions in the offseason. On February 29 the team signed former Pittsburgh Steelers left guard, Alan Faneca, to a five-year, $40 million contract. The deal made Faneca the highest paid offensive lineman in the National Football League. The Jets then signed former Arizona Cardinals linebacker, Calvin Pace, to a six-year, $42 million deal. Pace had 6 ½ sacks in 2007, and was considered to fit well with the Jets' 3–4 defense. The Jets continued to attempt to improve the offensive line by signing Detroit Lions right tackle Damien Woody to a five-year $25.5 million contract.


2008 New York Jets season, Offseason, Signings
Other notable free agent signings included fullback, Tony Richardson; cornerbacks, Andre Woolfolk and Ty Law; tight end, Bubba Franks; and running back, Jesse Chatman.


2008 New York Jets season, Offseason, Signings
Perhaps the Jets most significant offseason acquisition was veteran and former Green Bay Packers quarterback, Brett Favre. Favre, the NFL's all-time leader in touchdown passes, completions, passing yards, interceptions, wins and consecutive starts by a quarterback, was picked up in a trade during training camp. Favre finished the 2007 season second in MVP voting and was named starter of the AFC Pro Bowl team.


2008 New York Jets season, Schedule
Matchups were determined at the end of the 2007 season based on the league's scheduling formula. Along with home and away games against each of their traditional rivals in the AFC East, the Jets played each of the teams from the AFC West and NFC West divisions, as per the NFL's annual rotation. The NFL revealed its schedule for all 256 regular season games on April 15, 2008. One notable game in the schedule was the Jets' first game televised on the NFL Network, against the division rival New England Patriots. Game times from weeks 12 through 17 were subject to change in accordance with the NFL's flexible scheduling policy; two games were affected by this policy.


2008 New York Jets season, Schedule, Regular season
Notes Simulcast on WPIX. Originally scheduled as a 1:00 PM kickoff. Originally scheduled as a 1:00 PM kickoff.