Unfortunately, I think this is how the game will be remembered. And while it certainly would have been better for the Pats if he makes the catch, the game is far from over. The Pats would have had the ball at the 20 with 4 minutes to go. Very possible for the Giants to get a stop there, and hold them to a FG. Which means that Eli still has about 2:30 to drive the field for the game winning TD.
But that is the nature of sports I suppose. I am sure some people think that if Buckner fields the ball and steps on the base, that the Sox win the '86 World Series right there.