The AFC New England Patriots and the NFC New York Giants battled for the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on Sunday Feb. 5. Both teams reached the season’s biggest game by three-point victories in their conference championship games. In the end, the Giants came out on top and beat the Patriots 21-17.

Both teams looked at this game as a rematch of Super Bowl XLII in 2008, when the Giants ended the Patriot’s perfect season with a 17-14 victory.

Super Bowl XLVI kicked off with pregame festivities at Lucas Oil Stadium. “America the Beautiful” was sung by Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. Kelly Clarkson followed with the National Anthem before kickoff.

The first points of the game were rewarded to the Giants on a safety. Victor Cruz then collected a two yard scoring pass from Giants quarterback Eli Manning, ending the first quarter with a score 9-0 Giants.

New England soon caught up in the second quarter. A field goal was scored, and then Danny Woodhead scored a touchdown to end the half 9-10 Patriots.

The halftime show has been a star-studded tradition for years, alternating between classic and contemporary acts. This year, the show sponsored by Bridgestone appeared to be between the two. Though the announced headliner for the show was pop icon Madonna, she was accompanied by LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, MIA and Cee Lo Green.

“The effects of the halftime show were cool and the music was alright. I just think that Madonna’s performance could have been more real,” said Zack Wilson, Plymouth senior.

The Patriots continued to play strong and kept their lead into the third quarter. Though the Giants were rewarded a field goal early in the quarter, Patriot tight end Aaron Hernandez scored a touchdown, ending the quarter 17-12 Patriots.

In the fourth quarter, the Giants received a field goal, creating a two-point difference in the score. Then, Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw made a touchdown in the last minute of the game, giving the Giants a three point lead to end the game.