Four years after watching their perfect season implode in the desert of Glendale, Ariz., the Patriots were again beaten in the Super Bowl by the New York Giants, this time by a score of 21-17.

All year long, the question bugging anyone interested in the fortunes of the New England Patriots was this: In a game-saving situation, could the defense get the other guys off the field?

The Giants ended the Patriots’ season in heartbreak for the second time in as many Super Bowl meetings, winning their fourth Vince Lombardi Trophy, 21-17, last night.

They did their part. And then some. When the book is written on the 2011 Patriots , the record will show that the much-maligned and much-talked about defense was not the Achilles’ heel of this team, like some thought it was.

Less than a year ago, Tom Brady, Logan Mankins, Osi Umenyiora, and seven other players filed an antitrust suit against the NFL, a key moment in a convoluted and contentious labor dispute between the union and league that threatened to cut short - or even wipe out - the 2011 season.

Groundhog Day was last week, but for Tom Brady it was four years ago. Same opponent, same stakes, same outcome.

The zip lines are a huge hit, and Madonna seems to excite everyone. Hosting the Super Bowl has given local politicians a chance to puff out their chests, show off their beautiful new stadium, and declare this is a big city after all.

\Years ago, BenJarvus Green-Ellis found himself in the same position as thousands of youngsters with a passion for football: His mother, fearing serious injury, didn’t want her son playing the sport.

Rob Gronkowski insisted that his sprained left ankle was fine last night despite mountains of evidence to the contrary. He patiently repeated that he was “100 percent’’ and “good to go’’ several times when asked whether the injury limited him.

Larry Izzo didn’t see it. The former Patriots special teams captain didn’t understand how anyone could characterize last night’s Super Bowl as a rematch from four years ago in Glendale, Ariz.

When Eli Manning and the Giants offense took the field with 3 minutes, 46 seconds left in Super Bowl XLVI, trailing, 17-15, Patriots fans around the world no doubt were sharing similar unpleasant thoughts, either verbally or telepathically: There’s too much time left, they’ve done this to us before, they’re going to do it to us again.

Wes Welker’s voice was barely audible. He leaned forward in his director’s chair as he sat at a podium in the Patriots interview area at Lucas Oil Stadium, taking questions about his role in the Patriots’ 21-17 loss to the Giants last night in Super Bowl XLVI.

It would have been impossible for Eli Manning not to hear it. He was surrounded by it from the second the Giants bus pulled into the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott last Monday.

The Patriots have elected to defer when they win the coin toss, dating to a couple of seasons ago.

Tom Coughlin knew the drill. “You lose a game in New York, and you’re fired,’’ he said. “Or burned at the stake.’’

Marion Manningham’s eyes were glued to her son as Eli Manning threw the pass. As the ball followed Mario Manningham to a spot where two defenders were closing in, with the sideline closing in, where the measure between immortality and forgotten was oh-so-thin.

When the Giants broke the huddle Eli Manning knew there was something he had neglected to say. The quarterback knew he should have talked to Ahmad Bradshaw . So he started yelling.

Mike Pope had to reach deep into his memory banks to count all the head coaches he’s worked for in his 29 years in the NFL.