Super Bowl XLII

References

Super Bowl XLII

football [2008]

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 19, 2026

Quick Summary

Super Bowl XLII, played in 2008, was a championship game of the National Football League (NFL) between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. The game is renowned for being one of the greatest upsets in NFL history. The Giants, led by quarterback Eli Manning, defeated the previously undefeated New England Patriots. This victory marked a significant Super Bowl win for the Giants, who had previously won Super Bowls in 1987 and 1991. The Patriots, who had an undefeated regular season, were heavily favored to win.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Tom Brady
New England Patriots
…underdog New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.
Read More
…underdog New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.
Read More

Eli Manning
…title and a trip to Super Bowl XLII. On February 3, 2008, Manning led the Giants to a 17–14 victory over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots, taking the lead on a touchdown pass with 35 seconds left in the championship game.
Read More
…title and a trip to Super Bowl XLII. On February 3, 2008, Manning led the Giants to a 17–14 victory over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots, taking the lead on a touchdown pass with 35 seconds left in the championship game.
Read More

New England Patriots
Belichick and Brady
…underdog New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. The Patriots’ accomplishments that season were somewhat overshadowed by a controversy that came to be known as “Spygate.” During their season-opening win over the New York Jets, the NFL confiscated a camera and video from a member of the Patriots’ staff who…
Read More
…underdog New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. The Patriots’ accomplishments that season were somewhat overshadowed by a controversy that came to be known as “Spygate.” During their season-opening win over the New York Jets, the NFL confiscated a camera and video from a member of the Patriots’ staff who…
Read More

New York Giants
In Super Bowl XLII in 2008, led by quarterback Eli Manning and defensive lineman Michael Strahan, the Giants managed one of the greatest upsets in NFL history, defeating the previously undefeated and heavily favored New England Patriots. After a two-year playoff drought, the Giants again reached…
Read More
In Super Bowl XLII in 2008, led by quarterback Eli Manning and defensive lineman Michael Strahan, the Giants managed one of the greatest upsets in NFL history, defeating the previously undefeated and heavily favored New England Patriots. After a two-year playoff drought, the Giants again reached…
Read More

Tom Petty
In 2008 Petty and the Heartbreakers reached another benchmark of exalted status as pop music icons by performing during the Super Bowl halftime show. Petty, who was known for his devotion not only to the roots of rock and roll but also to his own musical…
Read More
In 2008 Petty and the Heartbreakers reached another benchmark of exalted status as pop music icons by performing during the Super Bowl halftime show. Petty, who was known for his devotion not only to the roots of rock and roll but also to his own musical…
Read More

Michael Strahan
…the Giants advanced to another Super Bowl in February 2008, where they upset the previously undefeated New England Patriots. He retired months after that surprise victory, ending his career with seven Pro Bowl selections and four first-team All-Pro honours. In 2014 he was elected into the Pro Football Hall of…
Read More
…the Giants advanced to another Super Bowl in February 2008, where they upset the previously undefeated New England Patriots. He retired months after that surprise victory, ending his career with seven Pro Bowl selections and four first-team All-Pro honours. In 2014 he was elected into the Pro Football Hall of…
Read More