The New York Giants have pulled off one of the biggest upsets in National Football League history, defeating the heavily favored New England Patriots, 17-14, to win Super Bowl 42 and deny New England an undefeated season.

The Giants were the lowest seeded playoff team - fifth seed - to reach the championship game, and the first National Conference wild card team ever to win the title. Four American Conference teams have won titles as wild cards.

New England had the top rated offense in NFL history, but New York pressured with tough defense throughout the championship game Sunday in the Phoenix, Arizona suburb of Glendale. The Giants were the first to score, with a 32-yard field goal in the opening period off the foot of Lawrence Tynes.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning celebrates with defensive end Michael Strahan (92) after NFC Championship game, 20 Jan 2008

The Patriots answered in the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by Laurence Maroney. Following a scoreless third quarter, the Giants regained the lead with a five-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to David Tyree.

With just two minutes, 42 seconds remaining, Tom Brady led the Patriots downfield and capped the drive with a six-yard touchdown pass to Randy Moss. But New York quickly and efficiently made its way to the other end, where Plaxico Burress hauled in a 13-yard pass from Manning with 35 seconds left.

New England had won 18 straight games ahead of the Super Bowl. The only franchise to finish a season undefeated was the 1972 Miami Dolphins. At that time, the regular season lasted 14 games and the Dolphins ended with a record of 17-0.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning was named Super Bowl 42 Most Valuable Player, just one year after his older brother Peyton received the honor for leading the Indianapolis Colts to the Super Bowl title.