In a season of big finishes, Big Blue saved the best one for last.

Eli Manning directed a late fourth-quarter touchdown drive highlighted by a 38-yard circus catch by Mario Manningham to beat the New England Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI, Sunday at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium.

The victory was sealed on the game's final play when the Giants' defense knocked down Tom Brady's Hail Mary pass in the end zone with no time remaining.

The win gave the Giants their second Super Bowl championship in five years and the franchise's fourth Super Bowl title overall. Only the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers have won more.

A ticker tape parade is scheduled for Tuesday.

The Giants got on the scoreboard early when they were awarded a safety after forcing Brady to intentionally ground the ball from his own end zone. Big Blue's offense controlled play for much of the first half, including a 78-yard drive that ended in a touchdown by Victor Cruz.

But the Patriots captured the momentum when Danny Woodhead caught a touchdown pass to put New England up 10-9 heading into the halftime, then an Aaron Hernanzez touchdown put the Patriots up 17-9 in the third.

Two third-quarter Lawrence Tynes field goals pulled the Giants to within two points, setting up Manning's fourth quarter heroics. Starting at his own 12 yard line with 3:46 to play, Manning led a nine-play drive the culminated with a six-yard touchdown run by Ahmad Bradshaw.

It was the final come-from-behind victory in a Giants' season that was full of them, a season that saw Big Blue blossom from a 7-7 team into Super Bowl champs.

Manning, who went 30-for-40 for 296 yards with one touchdown pass and zero interceptions Sunday, received his second Super Bowl MVP award in a game that was a rematch of Super Bowl XLII. He was one of 15 Giants players who won the title in 2008 when they prevailed over the then-undefeated Patriots, 17-14.

Earlier this week, however, Manning told reporters that his goal on Sunday was simply to play his best game.

"You concentrate on the opponent, trying to get ready for them, trying to keep your mind focused on the job, and what your performance is going to take, what style of football it's going to take to win this game," said Manning. "And if you get concerned with other things, you take your focus off what your job has to be this coming Sunday."

Across the five boroughs, New Yorkers young and old gathered to watch the big game.

"I've been a big fan since I was a little kid, " said one fan NY1 spoke to. "My cousin's actually at the game now."

"I love Big Blue, I love the spirit of the whole team, the whole organization," said another fan.

"I'm not a big football fan, but this is a big day for us in New York," said a third.