Giants Top Patriots In Super Bowl XLVI Behind MVP Performance From Eli Manning

'That Was The Game', Referees Said After Wes Welker's Drop In Super Bowl XLVI

Super Bowl 2012: From Wes Welker's Drop To Mario Manningham's Catch

From Wes Welker's drop to Mario Manningham's catch, there were more than a few memorable moments in Super Bowl XLVI. We take a look at 10 things of note to come out of the Giants' second title game victory over the Pats.

Wes Welker's Drop, And The Moment The Patriots Lost The Super Bowl

Super Bowl 2012 Final Prop Bet Results: Giants Beat The Spread, Final Score Takes The Under

The New York Giants came away with the win in Super Bowl XLVI, beating the New England Patriots in their huge rematch. Here's the final results of the odds and prop bets on the game. The Giants picked up the 21-17 win for their second title in five years.

The Giants easily beat the spread, which had them pegged as losing by between 2.5 and 3 points. The over/under, which seemed high, was set at 54, but the final combined score of 48 was well under that.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady ended up with the over on both completions and pass attempts. The over/under on his pass attempts was set at 39.5 and he ended up making 41 attempts. The over/under on his completions was set at 25.5 and he made 27. He was also set for the over on interceptions. The midline was set at 0.5 and he threw one pick in the game.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl XLVI Final Score: Giants Edge Patriots In Instant Classic, 21-17

The New York Giants have won Super Bowl XLVI over the New England Patriots, 21-17, in an instant classic.

With a minute left, the game was in Tom Brady's hands. If the Patriots' superstar quarterback could lead New England on a touchdown drive with less than a minute left in the game, he could have gotten the Patriots their fourth Super Bowl victory, and secured his third Super Bowl MVP.

And he tried. But the Giants' defensive line did just enough to stop him, with a massive sack by Justin Tuck on third down that forced the Patriots to take a timeout and enough pressure throughout the final drive to force the Patriots to try a Hail Mary on the game's final play.

It fell incomplete, just feet in front of Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots' record-breaking tight end. And for the second time in four years, the Patriots fell just short of the NFL's ultimate prize, leaving the Giants to claim it.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

VIDEO: Mario Manningham's Catch In Giants-Patriots Super Bowl

The New York Giants had David Tyree making the improbable catch off of his helmet four years ago in their win over the New England Patriots and this time around they'll have Eli Manning's pass to Mario Manningham.

The Giants took the ball on their own 12 yard line with just under four minutes remaining in the game and down by two to the Patriots. On the first play from scrimmage, Manning hit Manningham for a beautiful 38-yard pass and catch. Check out the video:

It's hard for video to even do this play justice. The over the shoulder catch is one of the most difficult in football, let alone when someone behind you is chopping their hand on your shoulder and a safety is coming in for the hit. Oh, and he held onto the ball when he hit the ground.

It won't be as famous as the David Tyree catch but it's up there in New York.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

ANIMATED: Ahmad Bradshaw Scores Accidental Touchdown

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots Score: New York Leads By Four, Under A Minute Remaining

Tom Brady has pulled off some serious miracles in his career, but if he can somehow lead the New England Patriots to victory in this Super Bowl, it'll be his biggest comeback ever. Thanks to some absolutely incredible work by Mario Manningham and Eli Manning, the New York Giants lead by a score of 21-17 with under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter.

The defining play of the drive was the first play of the drive, a spectacular pass from Manning to Manningham for 38 yards, which got the Giants down to the 50-yard line. The play was challenged by the Patriots, but Manningham barely got two feet in bounds to make the catch, and it stood as called on the field. Manningham made two more receptions on the drive, while Hakeem Nicks also made two big catches to set up the touchdown.

Knowing that the Giants could run the clock down significantly, giving them virtually no time to score, the Patriots allowed Ahmad Bradshaw to score a rushing touchdown. Realizing what his opponents were doing at the last second, Bradshaw tried to go down at the one, but rolled across the plane to score.

The Patriots will receive the ensuing kickoff with 57 seconds remaining and one timeout. Brady hasn't looked great in the fourth quarter, while Wes Welker dropped a ball on the last drive and Rob Gronkowski has been virtually invisible.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

ANIMATED: Wes Welker's Drop Helps End Late Patriots Drive

The New England Patriots were driving late in Super Bowl XLVI, and had a wide open receiver deep down the field. And Tom Brady found that receiver, Wes Welker, and hit him in the hands.

But Welker did something extraordinary with the ball: he dropped it.

The typically sure-handed slot receiver's drop didn't end the Patriots' drive — it came on second down, and Brady rifled a pass to Deion Branch on third down that was broken up — but if the Patriots relinquish their current 17-15 lead over the New York Giants, it will almost assuredly be remembered as New England's biggest missed opportunity of Super Bowl XLVI.

And, immediately, Welker knew how big his drop was.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: New York Has To Punt Again

Though the New York Giants came up with a couple of big first downs in their most recent drive, they'll be unhappy with the results. Tight end Jake Ballard was forced to exit during the middle of the drive with an injury, and based on the amount of pain he appeared to be in before coming off the field, it seems unlikely that he will return. Later in the drive, a seemingly obvious pass interference infraction committed by Patrick Chung went uncalled on third down, and the Giants were forced to punt.

On third and ten from the New England 43-yard line, Chung made a defensive play from behind Mario Manningham and made contact with him before the ball arrived, but no penalty was called. This stopped a previously successful drive that had started all the way back on the Giants' eight-yard line and forced a punt. Once again, Steve Weatherford's punt was nearly perfect and the Patriots will start their drive from inside their own 10-yard line.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Jake Ballard's Injury Leaves Giants With One Tight End

The New York Giants are down to their final tight end on the depth chart. Jake Ballard went down with an apparent knee injury hobbling off the field midway through the fourth quarter. It's unclear exactly what happened but the team has ruled him out for the rest of the game.

Ballard limped off under his own power but was clearly in pain. It looked like the medical personnel was checking out his left knee. He was seen on the sidelines trying to jog and cut but his knee gave out and he fell down. Check out this below, watch him fall and let us know if you think he'll return:

Ballard is the second Giants tight end to go down after Travis Beckum was lost in the first half with a torn ACL. The only tight end remaining on the roster is Bear Pascoe, third string.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

VIDEO: Tom Brady And Rob Gronkowski Try For Their Own Helmet Catch, Chase Blackburn Makes Interception

On a play that looked remarkably like the renowned "Helmet Catch" that David Tyree made against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, Tom Brady evaded pressure and threw deep. And the Giants prevailed on the Super Bowl XLVI version of the play, too, with Chase Blackburn making a great play to come down with an interception.

Blackburn, a linebacker, was able to track down Rob Gronkowski almost 60 yards downfield, and successfully snagged the ball out of the air.

The turnover was the first of Super Bowl XLVI.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl Halftime Show Video, Featuring Madonna And Special Guests

The first half of Super Bowl XLVI is in the books and now so too is the Super Bowl halftime show. The annual spectacle was headlined by Madonna. She was joined by special guests M.I.A., Nicki Minaj, Cee-Lo Green and LMFAO.

The set lasted nearly half an hour. You can check out full video of the entire halftime show below.

Madonna opened the show with "Vogue," after entering the stadium being carried on a throne while being flanked by centurions. She segued into "Music" and danced across bleachers while b-boy dancers backed her up and a man in a toga performed on a tightrope. LMFAO appeared as futuristic centurion-DJs and joined her in a version of "Party Rock Anthem." Another quick costume change and Madonna was joined by cheerleaders, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. to perform their new single, "Gimme All Your Luvin'." Following that spirited performance, Madonna was joined by Cee-Lo Green as a drum major for a snippet of "Express Yourself," later becoming a sequined monk for a uber-dance version of "Like A Prayer." That was the finale of a completely over-the-top show, as Madonna disappeared into thin air to end it.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots Score: Another Field Goal For New York

For the second time in as many drives, the New York Giants have driven down the field, but the New England Patriots defense has come up big once they got into field goal range. Rob Ninkovic and Mark Anderson came up with a massive sack of Eli Manning on third down, forcing the Giants into another Lawrence Tynes field goal. They're cutting into the lead, but the Patriots still lead 17-15 with under a minute left in the third quarter.

Until the sack, the biggest play of the game was a big completion to Hakeem Nicks, who fumbled. Henry Hynoski was following up on the play and was able to jump on the loose ball, preserving the drive. Brandon Jacobs had two good runs after that, while Bear Pascoe had an 11-yard reception, but the Giants' final set of downs was not a success. With first and 10 from the Patriots' 11-yard line, the Ahmad Bradshaw took two runs nowhere before the sack, leading to the Tynes' field goal.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Tom Brady Checked By Trainers After Justin Tuck Sack

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady appeared to be dinged up after getting sacked by Justin Tuck midway through the third quarter. Tuck was able to sack the Patriots quarterback and it looked like Brady jammed his left shoulder on the tackle. Watch the play below and note Brady's left shoulder:

It was a hard hit but it didn't look too out of the ordinary.

What really scared some of Patriots nation was that backup quarterback Brian Hoyer started warming up on the sidelines shortly after that. Luckily for New Engalnd that only listed a couple of minutes and he sat back down.

Brady was being examined by trainers on the sideline and it looks like he was just dinged up and not seriously injured. He was rotating his left shoulder so that's where the problem is. He's had a left shoulder injury in recent weeks so this likely has something to do with that.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

PHOTO: Tom Brady Brings 'Bradyfaces' To Super Bowl XLVI

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: New York Slows New England's Roll

After two consecutive touchdown drives from the New England Patriots spearheaded by Tom Brady's throwing, the New York Giants needed a stop. With a bit of pass rush, they got it.

The Patriots got the ball in decent field position, but couldn't make anything happen on a BenJarvus Green-Ellis run up the middle on the first play of the drive. And then the Giants' pass rush took over, with Chris Canty flushing Brady and forcing him to throw an incomplete pass on second down and Justin Tuck pressuring Brady into an incompletion and knocking him down on the next play to force a punt.

If the pendulum is swinging back toward the Giants defense, Big Blue may still have a chance.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: Hakeem Nicks Dinged Up After Big Hit By Patrick Chunk

The New York Giants suffered a quick scare when receiver Hakeem Nicks was drilled by Patriots defensie back Patrick Chung in the third quarter of Super Bowl XLVI.

As you can see, it looks like a painful hit:

Nicks was trying to make the sideline catch extending his arms but Chung came flying in to drill him. Nicks went out of bounds and appeared to be a little dinged up. He went to the sidelines and came out for a play but quickly returned. It appeared he was grabbing his hand or fingers but he's back in the game.

Nicks is one of the keys to the Giants offense so any missed time for him would be a difficult situation. Luckily he was fine after what could have been a bad hit.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots Score: Lawrence Tynes Field Goal Brings New York Within Five

The New York Giants started the second half with a great drive down the field, but the New England Patriots were able to come up with a couple of massive hits to keep them from getting a first down once they got into field goal range. Patrick Chung and Sterling Moore came up big late in the drive, forcing the Giants to settle for a 38-yard field goal. The Pats lead by a score of 17-12 with 6:43 remaining in the third quarter.

Hakeem Nicks and Jake Ballard both had big first down catches on the drive, while Ahmad Bradshaw picked up a first down on the 10-play, 45-yard drive, but the defining play was Chung's massive hit on Nicks that prevented a catch on first down from the New England 25-yard line. The Giants wouldn't get another first down after that, and were forced to settle for the three points. Here's the huge hit on Nicks.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Score Update: Tom Brady Stays Hot, Extends Patriots Lead

Tom Brady got the New England Patriots the lead in Super Bowl XLVI just before halftime with a masterful touchdown drive. He extended the lead with another great drive to begin the second half, finding Aaron Hernandez for his second touchdown pass of the day to extend New England's lead to 17-9 in the 2012 Super Bowl.

Brady, 10-for-10 for 98 yards on the second quarter drive, went to work again on the 79-yard touchdown drive, throwing to Chad Ochocinco, Wes Welker, and Hernandez and getting help from BenJarvus Green-Ellis to gut the Giants. Finding Hernandez in single coverage was child's play to end the drive.

Brady has now completed his last 15 passes, a new Super Bowl record for consecutive completions that breaks the previous record of 13 set by Joe Montana.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: Tom Brady Breaks A Joe Montana Record

Tom Brady is trying to tie Joe Montana for the most quarterback wins of any quarterback in NFL history at four. Montana and the 49ers won four and if Brady and the New England Patriots can beat the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI then the Patriots will quarterback will join Montana.

In the meantime, Brady has broken a former Montana Super Bowl record when he hit 14 consecutive completions against the Giants. Montana originally set the record against Denver in Super Bowl XXIV with 13.

Brady and the Patriots started slow after they touched the ball only once in the first 11 and a half minutes of the game. But shorty after the start of the third quarter Brady had completed an incredible 20-of-23 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns. He's on his way to one of the more memorable Super Bowl performances if he can continue at this pace.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Halftime Show Prop Bet Results: Madonna Wears A Hat, But Not A Jersey

As most football fans know, every year during the Super Bowl, there are hundreds of small, individual prop bets that you can put money on. These prop bets extend to the annual halftime show. Here are a few of the more interesting prop bets regarding the halftime show at Super Bowl XLVI, along with the results.

What color will Madonna's hair be when she begins the Super Bowl Halftime show?
Blonde: -400
Any other color: +250

It should come as no surprise that the odds-on favorite of "blonde" came up as the big winner here.

Will Madonna be wearing fishnet stockings at any point during the Super Bowl Halftime show?
Yes: -110
No: -110

The odds were even on this one, but although Madonna wore thigh-high boots, there were no fishnets.

Will Madonna wear an NFL Jersey or shirt at any point during the Super Bowl Halftime show?
Yes: +250
No: -400

The closest that Madonna came to representing the NFL overtly was when she and her background dancers became cheerleaders during "Gimme All Your Luvin" with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.. No jersey or shirt anywhere.

Will Madonna wear a hat at any point during the Super Bowl Halftime show?
Yes: +150
No: -200

The "hat" bet was the one I was personally rooting for. Sure enough, it paid off for those who wagered, as Madonna opened the show entering on a throne, wearing a headdress while performing "Vogue."

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Halftime Score: Patriots Take 10-9 Lead On Record-Tying Touchdown Drive

It was bound to happen sooner or later: the New England Patriots finally got the sort of methodical touchdown drive they've made their trademark throughout the 2011 NFL season, with Tom Brady slicing and dicing the New York Giants and finding Danny Woodhead for a touchdown to cap a 96-yard drive that tied the Super Bowl record for longest drive and gave the Patriots a 10-9 lead heading into halftime.

After being pinned at their own 4 by a great Steve Weatherford punt and backed up their own 2 by a penalty, the Patriots clicked off a brutally efficient drive to take their first lead of the game. Brady completed 10 straight passes on the drive, and snuck a pass to Woodhead to complete it, despite Jason Pierre-Paul's best efforts.

You can see Pierre-Paul, on the left side of the Giants' line, break off his pass rush to drop into coverage. That turned out to be a bad decision.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl Halftime Show 2012: Madonna's Partner Performers, Video And More

Edit: Full video of the halftime show can be found here.

Madonna is headlining the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show, as first reported by SBNation.com in October. But she won't be alone: VIBE reports that Madonna will be joined by Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., her collaborators on new song "Give Me All Your Luvin," and possibly Cee-Lo Green of "F--k Forget You" fame and "Party Rock Anthem" purveyors LMFAO.

"Give Me All Your Luvin" is Madonna's first single from her forthcoming album, MDNA, and unites the Queen of Reinvention with two of the most prominent female rappers of recent memory.

The last time Madonna shared the stage with two other young starlets in pop music, though, she kissed Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.

In case you did not turn on a radio in 2011, here is the synth-drenched "Party Rock Anthem."

LMFAO like to party and rock. They call their combination of partying and pop-rock music "party rock." It's genius, really.

Whatever your opinion of those musical offerings, you can be happy about not having the possibility of an awkward moment like Janet Jackson's infamous bare breast: Madonna is promising no Super Bowl halftime show wardrobe malfunctions.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Super Bowl Halftime Show 2012: LMFAO, Cee Lo Green To Join Madonna

Exclusive: Madonna To Perform At Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show, Sources Tell SBNation.com