BOSTON -- It was a season to remember, but the New England Patriots' pursuit of perfection came to an end Sunday when they lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

In one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, the Giants beat the heavily favored Patriots 17-14 in Glendale, Ariz.

"Everybody stepped up and made great plays -- what a huge win," said Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who led the Giants 83 yards in less than two minutes for a 13-yard game-winning pass to Plaxico Burress.

New England was trying to make NFL history as the first team to go 19-0 as unbeaten Super Bowl champs. The only other NFL team to complete an undefeated season were the Miami Dolphins when they went 17-0 in 1972.

New England quarterback Tom Brady said that the Giants were a great, well-coached team and "more than we could handle tonight."

"We wanted to win the game as much as the Giants did. We gave everything we had. We just ended up coming up short," Brady said. "Eighteen and 1 -- we lost the most important one. I wish we won this game and it was 19-0, but there were a couple of plays here that could have made the difference."

"We are disappointed," Patriots Coach Bill Belichick said. "It was a three point game the last time we played them, so we knew it was going to be a tough, hard-fought hard game, and it was."

"Nobody gave us a shot. It came down to one play, and we made it," Burress said. "We hung in there -- kept executing and never got down on ourselves. I have to give credit to God for him keeping me healthy. But for us to come out here and get a win, it means so much."

Patriots Defensive Tackle Richard Seymour said that New England didn't make the plays that they needed to make, but it wasn't because of a lack of effort.

"It wasn't like the guys didn't try. We worked our butts off, and we broke down in the locker room as a team," Seymour said. "I am thankful for the opportunities to be able to play in four Super Bowls. Someone has to win and someone has to lose."

The Giants took an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter on a field goal by Lawrence Tynes, but the Pats grabbed a 7-3 lead when Laurence Maroney scored from 1 yard out at in the second quarter of the game.

In New York's following possession, Ellis Hobbs picked off quarterback Eli Manning's pass in the game's first turnover.

New York's defense kept constant pressure on the Pats, sacking Brady four times by the middle of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Giants reclaimed the lead when Manning connected with wide receiver David Tyree, putting New York up 10-7.

With 2:42 left in the game, wide receiver Randy Moss hooked up with Brady for a 6-yard score to take a 14-10 lead.

With less than 1 minute left, Manning connected with Burress, giving the Giants a 17-14 lead over the Patriots.

In their first meeting on Dec. 29, the Pats and the Giants combined for 73 points when New England beat New York 38-35 at the Meadowlands.

With rain in the forecast, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ordered that officials close the retractable roof for the game at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

Manning was named Super Bowl XLII MVP. Past recipients include Brady, Hines Ward, Peyton Manning and Dexter Jackson.

Faithful fans eager for the game packed living rooms and sports bars to watch the big game. Some said that they were shocked that the Pats failed to write another chapter in history.

"Obviously, disappointment. The Giants played a tremendous game, and they did to us what we normally do to them," said Pats fan John Hanley, of Hingham. "We've been somewhat spoiled, but it's a great team, and they'll be back next year."

Meanwhile, in Boston police stepped up patrols to make sure celebrations after the game did not get out of control, but few fans trickled into the streets. Cars parked in Kenmore Square were towed and streets were closed to traffic earlier Sunday.

Boston Mayor Tom Menino said that officials would be conducting walkthroughs of bars to monitor for alcohol and crowd-control violations.

City officials coordinated with the state police, the DOC, university police and law enforcement agencies throughout the area to ensure a coordinated public safety plan. The city has had extensive communications with local universities regarding student behavior. Any student arrested will not only face criminal charges, but will also be subject to penalties imposed by their university.

In two recent post-game celebrations, two people were killed in Boston. Northeastern University student James Grabowski, 21, was killed during Patriots Super Bowl victory celebrations in 2004. He was struck by a car when a drunken driver plowed into a crowd.

Emerson College student Victoria Snelgrove, 21, was struck by a pepper pellet fired by police and died during a celebration after the Red Sox won the American League Championship in October 2004.