Patriots and Giants face off in tonight's Super Bowl

Super Bowl Indianapolis
In a photo made with a fisheye lens, fans pose for photos in front of a sign for Super Bowl XLVI on Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. The New England Patriots will face the New York Giants in NFL football's Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5.
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- After two weeks of hype and extreme scrutiny, the time has almost come for the start of the Super Bowl. The 46th edition of the game is being played this evening in Indianapolis. At stake is the NFL Championship and the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.

This year's game features a rematch of sorts as the New England Patriots and New York Giants squared off four years ago. In that game, played in Glendale, Ariz., the Giants prevailed 17-14.

The game is being played in domed Lucas Oil Stadium, marking the first time the Super Bowl has been staged in Indianapolis.

The Patriots enter the contest as AFC Champions after doing away with Baltimore in the AFC title game. The Giants advanced when they beat San Francisco to win the NFC Championship.

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The Pats and Giants met during the regular season, with the Giants coming out on top 24-20.

It has been a topsy-turvy season for the Giants, as they began the season with wins in six of their first eight games. They then lost four straight. They enter the Super Bowl riding a six-game winning streak.

The Patriots began the season with wins in five of their first six games before losing two in a row. They have not lost since, racking up a 10-game winning streak.

The Giants are appearing in their fifth Super Bowl. They have won three of the first four, while the Patriots are 3-3 in six appearances.

Besides the game, there's a long halftime show featuring Madonna. And, of course, lots and lots of commercials.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)