GLENDALE, Ariz. – Turns out Super Bowl XLII lived up to all the hype. As the New York Giants and New England Patriots dueled in the desert for championship glory, only one team ended the season on a perfect note.

Who Came, Saw, and Conquered: With the Patriots just one win away from a perfect 19-0, the Giants were the one team who could dismantle Tom Brady and the Pats – and in the biggest game of the season no less. True, the Pats had a shot at history, but the Giants had a date with destiny, winning Super Bowl XLII 17-14.

Lookin’ Good: Giants QB Eli Manning

Just a year after his older brother Peyton scored a Super Bowl title and MVP honors to boot, Eli Manning followed suit, keeping Super Bowl championships a family affair. Outplaying the regular-season MVP Tom Brady, Eli Manning completed 19-of-34 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns – one late in the fourth quarter that proved to be the game winner.

Seen Better Days: Patriots QB Tom Brady

Brady, who was sacked only 21 times this season, spent much of the Super Bowl on his back after getting sacked five times on the day. Under constant pressure, Brady could hardly get into a rhythm against the G-Men. Consequently, the Patriots turned in their lowest scoring output of the season, with Brady tallying his first Super Bowl loss in four trips.

Keep an Eye On: The Giants in 2008-2009

Overcoming adversity and enduring constant criticism, the Giants have all the pieces in place to dominate the NFC – and not just as a Wild Card contender.

A Giant Offense – The SB XLII MVP, Eli Manning, has come into his own, no longer lurking behind his older brother’s shadow (and success). The Giants’ RB combo of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs is clearly a force to be reckoned with, while the Giants’ receiving corps, including Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, will only get stronger with the return of TE Jeremy Shockey.

A Giant Defense – After holding the league’s most prolific offense to just 14 points and 45 yards rushing, and the previously mentioned five sacks on Brady, the Giants Big D made all the right moves Sunday, and you can bet that the NFL’s biggest, baddest, and best defense will return (and dominate) next season.