Wearing the jersey number of New England quarterback Tom Brady, Elvis Brown, Lawrence, left, and Jason Ward cheer on the Patriots in the Super Bowl game at Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar, 1012 Mass. They joined other football fans Sunday in the annual sports spectacle that is known as much for the commercial breaks as for the game. The New York Giants beat the Patriots, 17-14.

It may not have drawn the interest of a Kansas University football game, as many bars were sparsely filled, but Super Bowl XLII had its share of passionate fans viewing the game in downtown Lawrence. The New England Patriots, previously undefeated in 18 games this season, lost to the New York Giants, 17-14.

Lawrence resident Elvis Brown wore his allegiance on his chest, in the form of a blue New England Patriots jersey. The 30-year-old, sporting Tom Brady’s number 12, cheered loudly for the Patriots at Buffalo Wild Wings, 1012 Mass.

“I like the quarterback, I like the coach. I became a fan back when they started their Super Bowl runs,” the reformed Chiefs fan said during the game’s first half.

The Patriots had a chance for a perfect season. “It’s hard to put into words,” Brown said of the prospect of the Patriots becoming only the second NFL team to finish a season undefeated. “It would be awesome.”

But the Giants had fans, as well, if only by default.

“I’ve never been much of a New England fan,” said Ron Brave, Lawrence. “I’m rooting against the Patriots. They’ve got enough under their belt already.”

Some fans just couldn’t win.

“I’m going to be upset at the outcome either way,” said Lawrence resident Ryan Myers. “I don’t want Eli (Manning, the Giants quarterback) to win a Super Bowl, and I hate the Patriots.”

Still others came for, what else, the commercials.

“It’s all about the commercials,” said Aaron Price, 20, who was enjoying a full spread of wings. His friend Jeff Leon, also 20, said his favorite commercial was a Saab advertisement that featured humans and animals alike screaming as an accident almost occurred.

The broadcast was interrupted early in the first quarter, as an Amber Alert filled television screens. A 3-year-old boy from Kansas City, Kan., was allegedly abducted by his father, 23-year-old Andrew Guerrero.

The football game had at least one Lawrence connection. KU Athletic Director Lew Perkins was shown several times, sitting in front of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, Eli’s brother and a fellow Super Bowl champion.