Giants lead 9-0 after first quarter Patriots quarterback Tom Brady unloads a pass before being hit by Giants defensive end Justin Tuck. Gregory Shamus / Getty Images February 5, 2012, 4:12 p.m. At the end of the first quarter, the underdog New York Giants are leading the New England Patriots, 9-0, in Super Bowl XLVI. Thanks to a safety and an Eli Manning touchdown pass to Victor Cruz, the Giants have jumped to the early lead, although New England is in the red zone as the second quarter begins. The Giants took possession after forcing a safety for a 2-0 lead and moved from their own 23-yard line to inside the Patriots' 15, the big play being a long run by Ahmad Bradshaw across midfield to the Patriots' 33. At the New England 11, New York quarterback Eli Manning completed a short pass to receiver Victor Cruz, who was stripped of the ball, with New England recovering. Officials, however, flagged the Patriots for having 12 men on the field, giving the Giants the ball at the six-yard line. One play later, Manning threw into the end zone just past safety James Ihedigbo, with Cruz catching the touchdown with 3:24 left in the first quarter for a 9-0 lead. The Giants' scoring drive covered 78 yards in nine plays. New England's Tom Brady moved the Patriots inside the Giants' 20 on a pass to receiver Wes Welker as the first quarter expired.