Brady: Perfect season lost

It is extremely disappointing. We just have to try and regroup and come back and try to make it stronger next year.

Tom Brady
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Tom Brady insisted there was still a lot to celebrate for the New England Patriots despite their Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants - and vowed he and his side would come back stronger next season.

The NFL's Most Valuable Player had led the Pats to the brink of history after going 18-0 with an unbeaten campaign - until the very last game.

When everything was on the line, the Patriots came up just short as an inspired Giants side prevailed 17-14 in Arizona.

It was Brady's opposite number Eli Manning who stole the show with his MVP performance helping New York to a third Super Bowl title with a stunning upset victory.

Positives

A downtrodden Brady was keen to try and look at the positives of New England's season as a whole despite such a bitter defeat in the big game.

"We had a great season, we just didn't win the game," said Brady.

"Tonight doesn't take away anything we have done over the course of the season. We had a great year.

"It is just unfortunate that tonight turned out the way it did."

Manning was a star, but New York's success was also down to their defence, with Brady sacked a season-high five times by the relentless Giants and the Patriots' record-breaking offense limited to just 14 points.

Brady was within a minute of becoming the fourth quarterback in NFL history to win four Super Bowls, while the Patriots would have also made history with a perfect 19-0 season.

Instead of Brady's usual heroics, it was Manning who produced a sparkling game-winning drive when connecting with Plaxico Burress for the winning touchdown, but Brady says the defeat will spur them on to come back stronger next season.

Reflection

"I probably need some time to reflect on the game and some time to reflect on the season," Brady added. "It is extremely disappointing. We just have to try and regroup and come back and try to make it stronger next year."

After missing out on joining the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only unbeaten NFL champions, Brady says that the sting of defeat will live with him for some time.

"I am sure a long time," he said. "You never forget these ones. I haven't forgotten the Colts game (a 38-34 playoff loss) from last year. The losses you always remember as much, they are the hardest.

"When you are winning with two minutes and 40 seconds left, you are hoping you can pull it out."