Best of Super Bowl XLVI

Eli Manning waves to fans as he arrives in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI. By the time he left, he had entrenched himself as one of the most important players in Giants history.

Wes Welker showed up in Indy sporting red pants, brown loafers and a sketchy mustache. Seven days later, he dropped the pass that would've put the Patriots in prime position to win the Super Bowl. Coincidence?

Indianapolis went all out in transforming downtown into the Mecca of professional football. Nowhere was this more obvious than the JW Marriott, the site of the Super Bowl Media Center and the canvas for a 32-story decal of the Lombardi Trophy. Easily the best background for visitors looking for the perfect group photo.

The NFL Experience was a huge success, breaking attendance records by Thursday afternoon. More than 200,000 people had attended the Experience before the weekend even arrived.

We saw many middle-aged men throwing footballs as hard as possible during events at the NFL Experience. Let's hope they have their physical therapists on retainer.

There was no shortage of activities at the NFL Experience, which ran all week at the Indiana Convention Center. Here, a young Colts fan imagines trying to pull in a wayward pass from Curtis Painter.

The zip line was the centerpiece of Super Bowl Village, with some people lining up as early as 3 a.m. to get their chance to glide 800 feet across downtown Indianapolis. At $10 a ride, it was the biggest bargain of the week.

Somebody decided Ochocinco didn't warrant a podium at Media Day, but he told reporters it didn't matter. He has three million Twitter followers on hand to bathe him with attention at a moment's notice.

Vic "The Brick" Jacobs belongs to the frantic Media Day horde -- co-hosting "The Loose Cannons" radio show -- but as he pranced along the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium, he turned as many heads as any of the players.

Standing about 10 feet away from the media crush surrounding Patriots superman Tom Brady, a less-robust gang of reporters saddled up to Nickelodeon's Pick Boy, who attempted to explain his relevance.

In a season dedicated to Robert Kraft's late wife, Myra, the Patriots owner told NFL.com: "This year has special purpose. My sweetheart's patch is above the heart of every player."

Adam Sandler swung by Radio Row to promote "That's My Boy," his latest movie destined to make one trillion dollars. He talked with NFL.com about the Jets, whom he believes are closer to getting back to the Super Bowl than many believe.

Boston sports hero Curt Schilling showed up in Indianapolis to promote a video game (he was carrying around a plastic sword of some kind). Schilling was one of many random athletes and entertainers working the room at Radio Row.

Super Bowl week was a bittersweet affair for Drew Brees. He shattered passing records in 2011, but fell short of the Super Bowl. Brees spoke of his burning desire to play before a home crowd at the Superdome in Super Bowl XLVII.

Vanilla Ice is indestructible. Ice -- real name Rob Van Winkle -- made the rounds at Radio Row, talking about his role in the new Adam Sandler film, "That's My Boy." Say what you will, but the man has staying power.

Alec Baldwin crushed his opening monologue at the inaugural NFL Honors, then dropped down on one knee and raised his eyes and arms to the sky. His prayers were answered when Tim Tebow rose from his seat, climbed onto the stage and helped Baldwin shift into proper Tebowing formation.

As Jon Hamm (aka Don Draper from "Mad Men") announced the AP Offensive Player award, he praised the league's superstar skill players, and politely asked Bill Belichick to stop throwing the ball to fat people.

Poor Tim Tebow was the object of Katy Perry's desire at the NFL Honors. Just seconds before announcing Cam Newton as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Perry paused to find her man. "Hi, Tim," she whispered. "My parents say, 'Hi.' "

As Peyton Manning marched out to announce the AP Most Valuable Player award, which went to Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, it was clear that Indy is still on fire for their quarterback. As Manning stood at the podium, voices could be heard shouting: "We love you, Peyton!"

Super Bowl XLVI started ugly and raw with the Giants gaining a 2-0 lead after Tom Brady was flagged for intentional grounding from his own end zone.

Kelly Clarkson was on hand to deliver the national anthem before Super Bowl XLVI. By all accounts, the former "American Idol" star pulled it off.

An impressive set by Madonna proved she still had plenty in the tank at 53, but a naughty hand gesture by M.I.A. (right) became the talking point after the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show.

No, it wasn't a perfectly thrown pass by Tom Brady, and no, the Patriots weren't guaranteed victory with a catch. But many Patriots fans will always see Welker's drop with four minutes to play as the turning point of Super Bowl XLVI.

It wasn't as sexy as David Tyree's Helmet Catch, but Mario Manningham's incredible sideline catch kick-started the Giants' game-winning touchdown drive in Super Bowl XLVI. Eli Manning deserves plenty of credit as well -- the 38-yard throw was perfect.

Ahmad Bradshaw said he tried to go down at the 1-yard line late in the fourth quarter, but his momentum carried him into the end zone for six points. The score put the Giants ahead, but gave the Patriots one last chance to come back. The Giants' defense ensured Bradshaw would score the final points of Super Bowl XLVI.

The meeting at midfield was genuine, as Patriots coach Bill Belichick has nothing but respect for Giants coach Tom Coughlin, the man who's broken his heart twice in the Super Bowl.

Moments after the Giants knocked down Tom Brady's Hail Mary heave to end the game, a confetti blizzard covered the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was plenty of fun for the Giants to walk through. The Patriots? Not so much.

Tom Brady's dejected body language after throwing an interception in Super Bowl XLVI has given rise to "Bradying," but anyone messing with the star quarterback will have to answer to his supermodel wife, Gisele Bundchen.

Eli Manning was the center of attention at Lucas Oil Stadium after leading the Giants to their second Super Bowl title in five seasons. Manning now has two Super Bowl MVP trophies to bookend his mantle. Unreal.

Michael Strahan was celebrating in the Giants' postgame locker room like he was still wearing No. 92. Here, he's seen embracing Eli Manning, the man everyone was talking about after the Giants toppled the Patriots with another late drive.

Gisele Bundchen, normally a delight, became a postgame subplot after dropping an F-bomb on New England's receivers in a critical tirade that suggested her husband, Tom Brady, was stuck doing it all for the Pats against New York.