Watch Super Bowl XLII

Super Bowl XLII was the 42nd edition of the National Football League's championship game, held at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on February 3, 2008. The game featured the New England Patriots, who were undefeated at 18-0 going into the Super Bowl, against the New York Giants, who had finished the regular season with a 10-6 record and had to win three away games in the playoffs to reach the Super Bowl.

The Patriots were led by their star quarterback Tom Brady, who was named the league's Most Valuable Player that season, and were favored by many to win their fourth Super Bowl in seven years. The Giants, on the other hand, were considered underdogs, especially since they had lost to the Patriots in the regular season finale just a few weeks before, and were led by their own quarterback, Eli Manning, who had been inconsistent throughout the season.

The game was a back-and-forth affair from the beginning, with both teams struggling to establish a dominant presence on offense. The Patriots opened the scoring in the first quarter with a field goal by Stephen Gostkowski, but the Giants responded with a touchdown pass from Eli Manning to David Tyree in the second quarter, after Manning miraculously avoided being sacked by multiple Patriots defenders and launched a pass downfield that Tyree caught with his helmet before being tackled.

The Patriots then regained the lead with a touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Randy Moss later in the second quarter, but the Giants tied the game with a field goal by Lawrence Tynes just before halftime. The third quarter saw no points scored by either team, as the defenses tightened up and turnovers became more frequent. The game remained tied at 14-14 going into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Giants took their first lead of the game with another touchdown pass from Eli Manning, this time to Plaxico Burress, with just over two minutes remaining. The Patriots drove down the field in the closing moments, but their last-ditch effort to tie the game fell short when Tom Brady was sacked and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Giants. The final score was 17-14 in favor of the Giants, giving them their third Super Bowl title in franchise history and spoiling the Patriots' quest for a perfect season.

The game was notable for several reasons, including the dramatic finish and the unexpected performance of Eli Manning, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player after completing 19 of 34 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. The game also featured several memorable plays, such as David Tyree's helmet catch, and the Patriots' failed attempt at a perfect season, which had sparked controversy and debate throughout the sports world.

Overall, Super Bowl XLII was a thrilling and memorable game that will go down in history as one of the most exciting and unexpected upsets in NFL history. With its combination of great plays, close scoring, and high drama, it remains a classic example of why the Super Bowl is one of the most-watched and celebrated sporting events in the world.