Well, wasn’t that fun?

When it came down to the New England Patriots and the New York Giants to decide Super Bowl XLVI, it was impossible not to draw comparisons to their 2008 matchup.

While the game itself featured the same major roles, the supporting cast was mostly new for each side. Yet when they finally took to the gridiron on Sunday, it was almost déjà vu.

Sure, the events might have taken place in a different order. But when the game came down to the wire, there was an amazing catch, an amazing miss, an Eli Manning-led last-minute touchdown drive, a final-series sack and, most importantly, a Giants win.

However, there wasn’t a play in the first quarter in 2008 that affected how the entire game was played, like there was with The Safety.

In case you somehow forgot or were simply to drunk to notice, the Giants scored two points when Tom Brady dropped back for the first time and, after facing pressure, fired the ball 30 yards down the field with no receiver in sight. Except Brady was standing in the end zone, resulting in an automatic safety.

And if that wasn’t enough, the Patriots negated a fumble recovery with a 12-men on the field call. Some guy named Antwaun Molden for the Patriots sprinted frantically onto the field and just as frantically realized there was no one to cover. The Giants scored a touchdown two plays later.

That’s nine points that could have been eliminated. The Giants won by four. Do the math.

If you take away just the safety, the Giants are driving for the lead down by four, which changes how the Patriots play defense entirely. Even though the G-Men eventually scored the game-winning touchdown, knowing you only need a field goal to win the game really opens the playbook on that final drive.

I’m not saying the Giants didn’t deserve to win the game. The catch by Mario Manningham was incredible. While it doesn’t quite live up to David Tyree’s catch in 2008 or Santonio Holmes’ game-winner in 2009, it was picture perfect.

The game was filled with runs by each team, starting with the Giants early domination of possession. The Patriots took control of the game late in the second quarter after an iffy holding call negated a Giants first down. Brady coolly drove 98 yards to give the Pats the lead at half.

After the world watched Madonna do whatever it is she does, Brady completed his first five passes of the half en route to breaking the record for most completions in a row in a Super Bowl. When he completes a 12-yard touchdown to Aaron Hernandez, he lets out a roar that echoed throughout New England.

Then instead of continuing to work methodically down the field, Brady went for the homerun after Rob Gronkowski got behind the defense. Brady’s throw came up short and directly into Chase Blacburn’s hands.

Although the Giants didn’t score off the turnover, it took away an opportunity to control the clock with the lead — something that’s extremely valuable when you have a game coming down to the final minutes.

As you would have it, the Patriots had another chance to wrap up the victory when Brady targeted a wide-open Wes Welker. One of the most sure-handed receivers in the league, Welker dropped the pass that would have given the Pats a chance to milk the clock on the way to another score.

Instead, Manning triumphantly drove the Giants downfield for an awkward touchdown for Ahmad Bradshaw. Brady tried to find a final drive in him, but took an unfortunate sack, just like in 2008.

As for the historical implications of the game: Manning is obviously the biggest winner, cementing a Hall of Fame career if he decided to retire tomorrow. Somehow, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin will most likely enjoy a shrine in Canton, after starting his NFL head-coaching career in lackluster fashion with the Jaguars.

While Brady’s and Pats head coach Bill Belichick’s spot in the Hall of Fame are still safe, there may be an asterisk growing on Brady’s résumé. When a player has your number, it’s never a good sign for your historical standing. If Brady doesn’t get a chance to overcome his old nemesis’ little brother, then every time No. 12 is brought up in a “Greatest of All-Time” conversation, there will be a “yea, but” comment every time.

Sorry for the cross-sport reference, but Michael Jordan couldn’t be considered the Greatest of All-Time if he didn’t overcome the Pistons or handle the challenges brought his way by Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley or Gary Payton.

Again, apologies for crossing sports, but it’s getting harder and harder to call Roger Federer the greatest tennis player ever if Rafael Nadal continues to make him his whipping boy — same goes for Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Can Brady be considered the greatest ever if he can’t beat a fellow superstar on the biggest stage?

I guess we’ll find out in another four years.