enlarge The Associated Press

Michael Strahan of the Giants plants a kiss on the Vince Lombardi Trophy his team won at the Super Bowl.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Rodney Harrison was certain the pass was incomplete.

Eli Manning, stumbling about, had heaved the ball downfield and David Tyree leaped and caught it.

The ball settled not into his hands, but onto his helmet.

Harrison slammed into Tyree, who bent backward but somehow held on for a 32-yard gain. The play was pivotal because without it, the New York Giants likely would not have upset the New England Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII Sunday night at University of Phoenix Stadium.

"I mean, he throws it up and he just comes down with the ball," said Harrison. "It was like a fluke play, he came down with it. The ball's on his head, he comes down with it.

"What can you do?"

Harrison wasn't looking for an answer because he already knew it. Nothing.

The New England Patriots' historic quest for a 19-0 season ended the same way many of their victories were achieved: through hard work, great game plans, outstanding performances and a little luck.

"I think that play was kind of representative of how everything went their way today," said Harrison. "Us not really getting the breaks that we're used to getting and the ball not bouncing in our corner. Sometimes it's like that, but you have to be able to overcome that if you want to win."

Giants Coach Tom Coughlin certainly knew where to rate that play.

"That wasn't like he just jumped up in the air and caught the ball," said Coughlin. "That was challenged. You had two people ripping for the ball and he brings it down. That might be one of the great plays of all time in the Super Bowl."

WES WELKER, who caught 112 passes in the regular season, tied a Super Bowl record with 11 catches. He is the fourth player to do that, joining Cincinnati's Dan Ross, San Francisco's Jerry Rice and New England's Deion Branch.

Welker didn't know he had set the record, nor did he seem to care.

"I don't know if it's really set in," he said when asked about the loss. "It is what it is and there's really nothing you can do about it."

TROY BROWN, the veteran wide receiver who played a huge role in the Patriots' three Super Bowl victories, headed the team's inactive list. Brown, who had offseason knee surgery, was activated in late November but played in only one game, on Dec. 23 against Miami. He is New England's all-time leader with 557 career receptions and is second in career yardage with 6,366.

Other inactive players for New England were wide receiver Chad Jackson, cornerback Antwain Spann, tackle Wesley Britt, guard Billy Yates, tight end Stephen Spach and defensive lineman Le Kevin Smith.

The Giants' inactive list included running back Danny Ware, defensive back Geoffrey Pope, tackle Adam Koets, defensive tackle Manny Wright, wide receiver Sinorice Moss, tight end Jerome Collins and defensive tackle Russell Davis.

STEPHEN NEAL, the Patriots' right guard who missed eight games with shoulder problems, suffered a knee injury midway through the second quarter on a play when Tom Brady was sacked. Neal was replaced by Russ Hochstein.

Two other Patriots, defensive back Randall Gay and running back Kevin Faulk, also left with injuries, but both returned.

THE VINCE LOMBARDI Trophy, given to the winning team, stands 203/4 inches high and weighs 6.71 pounds. It is a sterling silver trophy made by Tiffany's and includes a regulation-sized football placed in a kicking position on a three-sided stand. It's valued at $25,000 but as any winning team will tell you, it's really priceless.

ADVANCE PLANNING: Looking ahead to next year? And the two years after that?

Super Bowl XLIII will be played Feb. 1, 2009, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

Super Bowl XLIV will be played Feb. 7, 2010, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.

Super Bowl XLV will be played Feb....