Indy Rock! Giants beat 49ers in overtime 20-17
Yeah, Mann! Eli and the NY Giants are going to Indy for a Super Bowl rematch with the New England Patriots.
NY Giants return to Super Bowl for 2008 rematch vs. New England Patriots after Lawrence Tynes nails game-winning 31-yard FG to beat 49ers
(NYDN) NY GIANTS 20 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 17, OT
SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants have gone from the brink of an “historical” collapse to the brink of history.
From the ashes of a season that nearly slipped away a month ago and a game that nearly slipped away Sunday night, the Giants are now just one win away from another improbable championship. They captured their second NFC title in the last five years by beating the San Francisco 49ers, , in the NFC championship game at Candlestick Park.
And for the second time in five years, they won it in overtime on a Lawrence Tynes field goal.
It was Kyle Williams fumble on a Steve Weatherford punt – Williams’ second special teams miscue of the day – that gave the Giants the ball on the 24 yard line in great position to score. Jaquan Williams forced the fumble, which was recovered by Devin Thomas.
Ahmad Bradshaw‘s consecutive runs gave Big Blue a first down. Bradshaw ran again and Eli Manning knelt to give Tynes what was a 31-yard try after a delay of game penalty. He drilled it. Again.
Next the Giants will head to Indianapolis where they’ll face the AFC champion New England Patriots on Feb. 5 in Super Bowl XLVI – a rematch of the Giants’ last championship game, four years ago in Super Bowl XLII.
Not surprisingly, the Giants needed some more heroics from Eli Manning to get there. The Comeback Quarterback completed for yards, including a huge, go-ahead, 17-yard touchdown to Mario Manningham with 8:34 remaining. That jumpstarted what became his sixth fourth-quarter comeback of the season and the 20th of his career.
He needed a little help, though, because for a while his high-flying offense was stalling. The Giants (12-7) got the break of their season, though, with about 11 minutes remaining when they were still trailing 14-10.
They were forced to punt after a three-and-out, but 49ers receiver Kyle Williams, filling in for the injured Ted Ginn, decided not to return the kick. But as he tried to avoid the bouncing ball, it hit his knee and Giants receiver Devin Thomas recovered. That gave the Giants new life at the San Francisco 29.
Seven plays later, Manning hit Manningham for the lead, though the 49ers answered with a David Akers field goal, tying the game with 5:39 remaining. That tied the game at 17-17, which is the way it stayed until the end of regulation.
The conditions were perfect for the “bloodbath” that Chris Canty had predicted this game would become. About an hour before kickoff, the rain that had flooded the Bay Area for days hit again, soaking the uncovered field and continuing through most of the first half. Add in strong, swirling winds and it made passing the ball difficult, which threatened to play right into the 49ers’ hands.
